When you pick up your newborn baby for the first time, you experience a love you have never felt before. It is a feeling you will never forget and makes you want to do everything possible to keep your little one happy and healthy. In that case, this also includes getting rid of your baby’s diaper rash if they have any!
There are 12 great treatments for eliminating diaper rashes that may help your baby’s bottom:
- Aloe vera gel
- Apple cider vinegar & warm water
- Baking soda & warm water
- Petroleum jelly
- Zinc oxide ointment
- Calendula cream
- Antifungal cream
- Talc-free baby powder
- Detox bath
- Breastmilk
- Bentonite clay
- Oatmeal bath
Given that information, we are going to go more in-depth on the subject and answer how to be treating diaper rash when it happens and how you can prevent it from occurring. All these things are essential to know so you can help your baby’s skin thrive as it needs to!
Best Treatments for a Newborn Diaper Rash
1. Aloe Vera Gel
The first treatment on our list is aloe vera gel, which works wonders when your baby has a diaper rash!
Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial substances, making it a perfect choice to use on your baby’s irritated skin. Seeing as how that is the case, you will find aloe vera may kill some pathogens that try to stay on the skin.
Aloe vera is not only used for rashes but can also help treat issues like your baby’s digestive tract, calms any swelling, and stimulates circulation when applied. You can use aloe vera if your baby has eczema as well.
Overall, aloe vera works wonders for your little one!
2. Apple Cider Vinegar & Warm Water
Some parents are uncomfortable applying apple cider vinegar (ACV) directly to their newborn’s skin, so you can do this in two ways: one is through a bath, and the other is create a solution.
For the solution, you will want to add a small teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar with half a cup of warm water.
Afterward, you will apply a small amount on a washcloth, then pat your baby’s bottom.
Before placing the baby’s diaper back on, allow the affected area to dry. You can also use a squirt bottle of water and ACV or put it in a bowl and then apply a cotton ball. Whichever method you prefer.
The second option is relatively easy to do as well. When bathing your little one, add 1/4th a cup of ACV to the water and mix it well. Since their bottoms will be sitting in the tub for a while, it will help provide the comfort they need.
3. Baking Soda & Warm Water
If your baby’s rash does not disappear, use baking soda. It is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic and is used to treat rashes, bug bites, and other skin irritations.
If you choose the baking soda and warm water route, it would be best to soak your little one’s bottom in the bathtub twice a day for roughly five to ten minutes. You will want to add two tablespoons of baking soda to warm bath water.
4. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly has been around since the 1860s and is one of the most widely and inexpensive compounds known to treat a diaper rash. All you need to do is add a small amount when you change your baby’s diaper.
For mild diaper rashes, petroleum jelly will do the trick. However, if your baby’s rash continues to worsen, use another rash cream, like Aquaphor, which contains petroleum jelly or petrolatum.
5. Zinc Oxide Ointment
Many diaper rash products use zinc oxide to heal chapped, dry skin. It provides a protective barrier between your child’s skin and diaper, so there will be a minor irritation. All you need to use is a small amount, which goes a long way!
If you want something with more natural ingredients, then using something like the Baby Bum diaper rash cream would be an excellent choice for your little one. It is fragrance-free, Vegan-friendly, and gluten-free, ensuring the best for your newborn!
6. Calendula Cream
Calendula is one of the best natural remedies you can provide for your babies and yourself. It helps with numerous things, such as eczema, diaper rashes, and dermatitis.
Also, calendula helps fight cancers, relieves muscle fatigue, gets rid of a bacterial infection, and protects you against heart disease.
This fantastic herb is antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. If you are looking for a holistic approach to things, calendula cream will do you justice.
7. Antifungal Cream
A safe diaper cream for newborns with antifungal properties will always be a good idea. Although we have provided many options that include antifungal properties above, having this as an option will help further what you can use.
A popular option for most parents is the Triple Paste diaper rash cream, a hypoallergenic medicated ointment for your baby. You will find that this particular tub is 16 ounces, ensuring it will last you a relatively long time. It is made with lanolin, beeswax, and oat extract.
8. Talc-free Baby Powder
Baby powder is widely known to help with rash symptoms because it reduces friction on the skin and absorbs moisture.
However, in recent years, there have been concerns about whether or not talcum powder is harmful to your body.
In its natural form, talc contains asbestos, which can cause cancer when you inhale it. One of the main concerns is women who apply talcum powder in their genital area have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Seeing as that is the case, you will want to go with talc-free powder to prevent any issues.
9. Detox Bath
If your baby has a rash anywhere on their body, the best thing you can try is this detox bath. It truly works wonders, as I can personally attest to this.
You will need apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and unscented Epsom salt for the detox bath.
You can bathe your little one once or twice a day to ensure it is helping their rash out. Within a few days, you will notice the rash going away.
Here is the recipe to use for an infant bathtub:
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- Add 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt
- Add 1/4th a cup of apple cider vinegar
Afterward, you will want to let their bottoms soak in the water for roughly 10 to 20 minutes.
Another alternative is to add 1/2 teaspoon of bentonite clay to the mix, but this is optional.
10. Breastmilk
Breastmilk is not just something your baby drinks; it also acts as a remedy for many things such as rashes, viruses, stinging, and bacteria. Breastmilk has natural antiseptic properties and is anti-inflammatory.
A study showed that breastmilk worked just as well as an ointment, saving you time and money from the get-go!
Not only can you place some breastmilk on there while you change your newborn’s diaper, but consider giving them a milk bath. All you need is 1 to 2 ounces. Plus, your baby’s skin will feel incredibly soft and smooth.
11. Bentonite Clay
Bentonite is an excellent rash treatment because it is like a sponge on your skin. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that allow your skin to heal. This clay pulls any impurities from your body so that it will help with a diaper rash.
If you have bentonite clay on-hand, all you need to do is mix the clay with water to make a paste out of it.
However, you can easily purchase a good diaper cream like Nature Bare, which contains aloe and rosehip oil.
12. Oatmeal Bath
Lastly, we have an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help your baby, even if they have eczema and other rashes.
Oatmeal also helps to repair the skin barrier. Suppose your baby has a lot of red spots on your baby’s bottom. In that case, oatmeal will relieve their skin while providing a gentle cleaning.
One of the main things to keep in mind is that if you do this method, chop it up in a food processor or blender, so the oats do not get all over the bathtub.
Also, watch out for any allergic reactions, such as hives, more skin rashes, sneezing, eye irritation, etc.
How Can I Help Prevent a Diaper Rash?
There are many ways you can prevent a diaper rash from occurring. In some cases, you can use many home remedies to help prevent it from happening, while other things might be to get rid of some stuff you are already using. Keeping that in mind, let us go over them down below.
1. Consider Using Cloth Diapers
Disposable diapers may contain harmful chemicals, like VOCs (volatile organic compounds), phthalates, and more. In that case, you might consider using cloth diapers to help your baby better.
However, if you choose to go down this route, watch what type of laundry detergent you use.
Suppose you use something that contains fragrance or other unwanted chemicals in the detergent. In that case, your baby’s sensitive skin might react to it.
2. Change Diapers Often
Some parents do not wish to use cloth diapers, and with good reason, due to how much you need to clean cloth diapers constantly and other factors that go with it. Make sure you change diapers often, for a dirty diaper does not help the issue!
Having a clean diaper ensures no moisture is left on your baby’s bottom, and they stay healthy.
3. Use Everything Unscented
When something contains fragrance, it can cause skin irritation for your newborn. In that case, make sure to find unscented or fragrance-free options.
One of the many things you will find is fragrance in baby wipes. You may notice small red patches or red bumps indicating an allergic reaction.
If you want an excellent choice in wipes, try water wipes. They contain 99.9% water with a drop of fruit extract to ensure the best for your baby.
4. Switch Diaper Brands
As we mentioned, some disposable diapers contain nasty chemicals you never want your baby’s bottom to touch.
Make sure to switch diaper brands, as the one you use might cause the rash your little one has.
Some of the best natural diapers contain cotton, while others are from bamboo. Make sure to do the research required before purchasing anything.
5. Let the Area Breathe
When you change wet diapers, allow the area to breathe first. You can easily use a clean diaper to fan the gentile area before placing a new one. If you are brave enough, try keeping the diaper off for a while.
6. Avoid Scrubbing the Area
You never want to scrub your baby’s bottom if some poop is not coming off, especially if you notice any small red bumps.
In that case, the best thing to help is if you squirt their area with a squirt bottle or soak their area with warm water for a few minutes.
7. Switch Your Diet
A few things can cause diaper rashes, and diet is one of them. For older babies, ensure they do not have allergic reactions when introducing a new food.
However, if you are breastfeeding, there might be something in your diet that might cause rashes. It could be something with added sugar to bread. You can always do the elimination diet and see if anything happens after eliminating a specific food item.
8. Clean the Changing Table Often
Even if the changing table does not look dirty, remember that you use that area to make their most frequent diaper changes. In that case, cleaning the baby’s diaper area after each change would be a good idea, primarily if a rash occurs.
What Are the Symptoms of a Diaper Rash?
You never want your newborn to go through anything, especially since they are so small! However, sometimes you might see your little one’s bottom red, but that does not necessarily mean they have a diaper rash. So, what are the symptoms of one? Let us take a look.
- The skin is itchy and tender around the genital area.
- There is soreness around the diaper area.
- Your baby is crying, fussy, or uncomfortable, significantly when you change their diaper.
- The skin becomes inflamed around the thighs, bottom, or genitals.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are many ways to treat and prevent diaper rashes. The most crucial part is that you are there for your little one, especially in severe cases.
If any home treatment does not work, make sure to call your baby’s doctor to see about getting them on any antibiotic creams. Overall, you are doing a fantastic job, and keep up the excellent work!
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