How to get rid of Nappy Rash naturally
Changing Diapers – Feeding Baby – Putting Baby to sleep – Repeat ….welcome to Motherhood
As a new mom we are dealing with so many changes in our own body as well as getting used to the new routines we have to adapt for our babies. Every day comes with new challenges along with the happy moments. What can be more frustrating than a Nappy rash for a mom to young baby?
Nappy rash is very painful and discomforting to the baby. If you are looking to deal with the problem of Nappy rash/Diaper rash using natural ingredients then keep reading this blog post where I am going to share how to use Natural ingredients safely & effectively to deal with this problem.
It is important to understand first what is nappy rash, its causes and then we can deal with it.
What is Nappy rash
Nappy rash is commonly referred to the skin rash or inflammation, irritation and redness caused after the use of diaper / nappy on the skin in the baby’s nappy area. Sometimes, the skin can also get peeled off or blistered.
All most all babies get nappy rash at some point in time during their journey from babyhood to the little one out of diaper age. Generally, infants don’t get nappy rash – it is usually seen in the babies 9 months & above. Though, this is not a rule, it is a general observation.
What causes Nappy rash
- The wetness in the nappy causes the rash. The leaky contents from the nappy cause rash not only in the baby bottom but also in the thigh or groin area.
- Continuous use of nappies without giving fresh air break in between can cause rash.
- If the soiled nappies are not changed immediately then rash as well as other bacterial infections can occur.
- Food allergies ( common allergies are dairy & eggs),
- Diarrhea
- Sensitivity to the ingredients which are used to make nappy / diaper also contribute to the Nappy rash.
What is the best cream for nappy rash
There are many OTC (over the counter) creams available for diaper rash/nappy rash. The baby care products are formulated with a lot of precaution. The conventional or store bought nappy rash cream may contain synthetic fragrance, Parabens & other toxic ingredients.
I feel the best nappy rash cream is the one you can make at home easily using natural ingredients. ( I am giving you the recipe at the end of this post)
What is a barrier cream for diaper rash
A barrier cream provides a layer of barrier between the skin and the nappy contents. It is a layer of oil/ wax which doesn’t allow the liquids to stay on the skin for longer causing rashes.
How to deal with Nappy rash
It is important to find out the cause of the nappy rash. If you are using cloth nappies then try disposable ones & vice a versa to find out the cause.
The three important Steps that will help you when dealing with Nappy rash are
- Wash your hands thoroughly using medicated soap & water before & after changing the nappy.
- Keep the diaper area as clean & dry as possible
- Change the Nappy often – every 2 hours or less
Here are few more tips to help you
Tip # 1
The first and foremost thing when dealing with Nappy rash is to allow the fresh air to the nappy area. Let the baby be “without nappy” for couple of hours.
Tip # 2
Check the contents of the diaper / nappy you are using. Try changing the brand.
Tip # 3
Try Cloth diapers made out of organic material. They are gentle for the babies. Though it is additional work for moms to wash & dry them compared to convenience of disposable diapers. Disposable diapers are also bad for Mother Earth!
Tip # 4
If your baby is on any antibiotic medication then let your doctor know about the Nappy rash. Don’t try to treat it yourself.
Tip # 5
Don’t use store bought wipes to clean the area. No Soap! They can further irritate the skin. Use boiled and cooled water with soft cotton wool.
Tip # 6
Once the area is clean & dry apply a thin layer of your trusted Nappy rash cream.
Tip # 7
Dress your baby in the natural fabric to create dry and cool environment. .
Tip # 8
Make sure the diaper isn’t too tight. You can go one size up if your baby is prone to getting rashes.
How to use Natural ingredients to deal with Nappy rash
I personally prefer home remedies to deal with as many issues as possible as they are gentle and we know what goes in it. There is a wisdom that is passed from older generations to us to keep us healthy naturally.
The 5 natural ingredients that can help us in dealing with nappy rash are –
- Coconut oil
- Roman chamomile essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Tea tree essential oil
- Shea butter
Coconut Oil
How does coconut oil help with nappy rash
Coconut oil helps heal the wounds, reduce the inflammation & keeps the skin moisturized. It has antifungal properties. The medium chain fatty acids present in coconut oil provide for antimicrobial properties.
Can we use coconut oil for babies
Yes, in general coconut oil is safe to apply to baby skin. But notice if there are any allergic reactions particularly to your baby.
How to use coconut oil for nappy rash
Simply applying the smear of coconut oil on the clean nappy area will provide a protective barrier as well as soothe the irritated skin and protect it.
What kind of coconut oil is good for diaper rash
It is always better to use pure, unrefined coconut oil to avoid contact with harmful chemicals. Extra virgin organic coconut oil is the best.
Essential oils – Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Tea Tree
I love working with essential oil for their versatility and efficacy to treat various problems. They can not only help by local application but also help with balancing underlying body systems.
Always remember – Less is More when it comes to essential oils. They are highly concentrated plant extracts. Dilution in carrier oil is an extremely important step when using essential oils.
The safest essential oils for babies & young children are Roman Chamomile, Lavender.
Tea tree essential oil has powerful antimicrobial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. It must be diluted extremely low dosage for babies & kids.
How to use essential oils for nappy rash
Remedy 1
Dilute 1 drop of Tea tree essential oil in 200 ml of boiled and cooled water. Mix well. Use this water to wipe the nappy rash area using cotton wool instead of wet wipes & soap.
Similarly, you can use Roman Chamomile essential oil instead of Tea tree and create the cleaning water & use in the same way.
Remedy 2
Take 50 ml of extra virgin coconut oil and add 1 drop of Lavender essential oil. Mix well and apply a thin smear of this oil to the nappy rash affected area. Lavender & coconut oil together will help to heal quickly.
Plant wax – Shea butter
Shea butter acts as an excellent barrier material while being gentle to the skin. It is rich in vitamin E & A and keeps the skin soft and help to soothe the irritation. Shea butter is antifungal & anti-inflammatory.
Shea butter is generally safe and don’t cause any allergic reaction. Since it is obtained from plant nut, it is better to check for nut allergy in case your baby has one.
How to make your own Baby Nappy Rash cream at home
I will give you one simple recipe that you can make at home easily and use to help your baby heal quickly from nappy rash.
Ingredients you will need:
- 30 g raw unrefined Shea butter
- 20 ml extra virgin coconut oil
- 1 drop Roman Chamomile essential oil
- 1 drop Lavender essential oil
Steps you need to follow:
- Add the measured amount of Shea butter to glass bowl.
- Place this bowl in another bigger bowl filled with hot water. Allow the Shea butter to melt.
- Once melted add measured amount of coconut oil. ( if the coconut oil is solid at room temperature where you live then you can melt Shea butter and coconut oil together)
- Once both the ingredients are melted, remove them from the hot water bowl and add the essential oils in the exact amount mentioned in the above recipe.
- Mix well and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Then cover and put it in the deep freezer for 20 minutes.
- Take it out and whip it to soft creamy consistency using the spoon.
Voila!! Your very own natural Baby Nappy Rash cream is ready to use.
Make sure, to keep it refrigerated. Avoid any water droplets inside the product as our formula does not contain preservatives.
It is the safest Nappy rash cream we can make for our babies.
My Last tip – Don’t wait for too long trying to deal with the Nappy rash at home. Sometimes it needs more than what we can do at home, consult your doctor.
Hi, I’m Sheetal, a mom to a cute girl, Certified Aromatherapist & a blogger. I am super passionate about studying how Essential oils help our Mind & Body wellness. I share essential oil benefits, how to, tips etc. on my blog aromaorchard.com Are you curious about using essential oils safely & effectively for the well being of your family? Want to know which essential oils to use & when – Grab this helpful chart to ease your confusion & get started.
