Diaper rash is the bane of almost every parent's existence. No matter how clean parents keep their babies or how often they change a baby's diaper, it's likely that most kids will experience even mild diaper rash at some point. And once it strikes, it can be infuriatingly hard to get rid of. According to WebMD, diaper rash can be caused not just by letting babies rock a dirty diaper for too long, but also by bacterial infections, yeast, and allergic reactions. So it can be hard for parents to narrow down the culprit behind the rash and find a workable solution. Luckily, there are a ton of worthy options out there to try.
Traditional diaper creams, like Desitin and A + D ointment, used to be some of the only options parents had to treat diaper rash. While those are both trusted and awesome remedies, there are also new suggestions and products on the market that parents can try for an all-natural remedy, a quick solution to particularly tricky cases, or for babies who have special skin sensitivities. Whether it's an organic ointment with rave reviews or a diaper changing hack masterminded by a clever parent, gone are the days of limited options.
Here, we've gathered the tips, tricks, creams, and ointments parents swear by to make diaper rash disappear. Many of these suggestions are perfume-, dye-, and paraben-free. There are also options for every type of parent and every budget size. Read on for 20 easy and creative ways to stop diaper rash in its tracks and prevent it from happening ever again.
Ditch the Baby Wipes
Doctors at Boston Children's Hospital note baby wipes can "burn and increase irritation" when a baby has diaper rash. Instead, parents should use a cloth with lukewarm water and let the area dry completely.
Use a Baby Butt Spatula
No, seriously, these exist. A spatula will not only keep parents' hands clean, it's also a more sanitary way to apply diaper cream that keeps germy hands away from the active rash.
BabyBum Diaper Cream Brush ($7, Amazon)
All-Natural Diaper Cream
Created by a mom, Baby Butz is a newer diaper rash solution that contains no added alcohol, parabens, or perfumes. It's used in many hospital neonatal units and the product description claims it can heal most rashes in four to six hours.
Baby Butz Natural Diaper Cream ($20, Target)
Grab a Hair Dryer
Once a baby's bottom has been cleaned, doctors at Boston Children's Hospital recommend using a hair dryer on the lowest cool setting to make sure the child's diaper area is completely dry. However, extreme caution should always be used to avoid burns, even with cool air. Check with a doctor for further instruction.
Ditch the Diaper
That's right. If baby has a rash, try to keep their diaper off as long as possible between changes. A little extended air time on their diaper area can help it dry out and give the rash a chance to heal.
Use Specially Formulated Aquaphor
Classic Aquaphor can work just like petroleum jelly and can be use at every change for rash prevention, but the brand also makes a special diaper rash cream. It contains the protective ingredient zinc oxide. Plus, according to reviews, parents love that it has no added dyes or scents.
Aquaphor Baby 3in1 Diaper Rash Cream ($6, WalMart)
Get a Peri Bottle
The little plastic bottles that soothe women post-pregnancy can also be a savior for babies in rash hell. Some rashes get too severe for any kind of wiping method to work without hurting the baby, so WebMD recommends cleaning with a peri bottle and then gently patting the baby dry.
Medicine Cleansing Bottle ($3, Amazon)
Use Petroleum Jelly After Every Change
Believe it or not, plain petroleum jelly can create a protective barrier around an area with diaper rash, just like most diaper creams do. Boston Children's Hospital notes that petroleum jelly can be used even on severe rashes and is easily wiped off, and it can be used with every change to help prevent rashes before they start.
Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly ($7, Amazon)
Get Diaper Cream for On the Go
This convenient stick has over 600 five-star reviews on Amazon. It's easy to carry in a small bag and makes for no-mess application. The makers recommend buying a separate stick for each kiddo to avoid any cross-contamination.
Grovia All-Natural Magic Stick Diaper Balm ($14, Amazon)
Try a New Diaper Brand
Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the diaper brand that works for each little one. As the Mayo Clinic points out, babies with skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or eczema, may be more likely to develop diaper rash. So it could be that the diapers that worked with baby number just aren't a fit for baby number with a sensitive skin condition.
Use a Cream With Zinc Oxide
Developed by a pharmacist, this cream differs from others in that it contains 16 percent zinc oxide and has no dyes, parabens, perfumes, or talc. It's also one of the highest-rated diaper creams on Amazon, with nearly 700 five-star reviews.
Boudreaux's Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment ($9, Amazon)
Double Rinse Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers can be a great way to keep baby bums clean, but proper washing is a must. The Mayo Clinic recommends double rinsing to remove any chemical residues that could cause irritation. It also recommends adding vinegar to the wash cycle to remove soap.
Use a Little Coconut Oil
Chosen as one of Baby List's best diaper creams of 2018, Bum Balm is an organic ointment made with coconut oil and shea butter. As a bonus, it can also be used to treat cradle cap and other skin irritations.
Dani Kenney Bum Balm ($32, Dani Kenney)
Introduce New Foods Slowly
The Mayo Clinic cautions that stool changes caused by reactions to new foods can make babies more prone to diaper rash. For this reason, it's important to introduce new food slowly and to look for any signs of upset stomach or allergic reaction before trying a second helping.
Try Calendula
Calendula extract is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. A paste that contains calendula can help soothe redness and irritation naturally.
Weleda Diaper Care Cream ($10, Amazon)
Skip the Baby Powder
Baby powder and corn starch are old-school home remedies to prevent diaper rash, and while the drying effects of powder can work, doctors don't recommend it. Even non-talc powders can potentially cause lung irritation in small babies.
Go for a Six-Ingredient Fix
Mother Love is a classic ointment that contains only six ingredients: olive oil, beeswax, Oregon grape root, myrrh gum, yarrow herb, and calendula flower. If a parent is having trouble narrowing down a root cause of the rash, opting for an all-natural cream with limited ingredients could do the trick. Bonus: it can also be used as nipple cream.
Motherlove Diaper Balm for Persistent Rash ($11, Amazon)
Give Baby an Oatmeal Bath
Use a packet of colloidal oatmeal or grind oats into a fine powder and pour them into a warm bath to soothe baby's bottom. Oats have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties when used in this way. Just make sure baby is fully clean and dry before being re-diapered after the bath.
Try Oil Massage
Oil massage can be soothing and create a protective layer on skin. Try it with a cream like Earth Mama, which contains olive fruit oils, jojoba seed oil, lavender oil, and other herbal ingredients said to soothe skin irritation. It's also a parent favorite, with over 1,800 five-star reviews on Amazon.
Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm ($8, Amazon)
When to See a Doctor
Diaper rash can occasionally be caused by yeast infections, bacteria, or other serious allergies or skin conditions. See a doctor if diaper rash is recurring, includes open sores and blisters, or is accompanied by pimples, boils, a low-grade fever, or does not clear up within three days. A prescription ointment or other treatment may be necessary.
