5 Natural Barrier Creams and Nappy Rash Solutions for the Zero Waste Parent.

Ah nappy rash. Dare I say it but they are a right pain in the bottom, pun intended.

We’ve had the good, the bad and the ugly. From slightly red caused by a nappy left on slightly too long or teething phases, right up to awful skin reactions that took us on a trip to the doctors. Twice to be exact. Once for a reaction to a switch in washing powder and the other after a nasty fever which seems to spark some kind of heat rash.

Hey, this is just a course many of us go through as parents. Suffice to say it’s meant I’ve tried every nappy cream going. Most of which I regret. Sticking to what I know and what my gut tells me has always come up trumps. That gut tells me to stick to natural and organic nappy rash solutions as much as I can. Natural and organic creams and practices not only sit better with me but have actually proven to work better too.

Using nappy cream with cloth nappies.

If you are using cloth nappy too your probably well aware that there is a lot of advice discouraging the use of certain nappy creams at all. Lists of only cloth safe creams. Personally I have never had a problem with “unsafe” for cloth nappy creams. Use a liner and make sure you’ve got a good wash routine and no residue should be left on your nappies.

NAtural, organic and zero waste solutions to nappy rash.

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Pin. Newborn in white blanket. “5 natural barrier creams and nappy rash solutions.”

1. Coconut Oil.

Coconut oil is one of the cheapest and easiest things you can use on your babies bottom. I buy a jar of organic coconut oil from Aldi which is the cheapest I’ve come across it at about £1.50 a jar. It lasts us at least 6 months. I don’t tend to apply anything throughout the day on my daughters bottom unless she has a rash which isn’t very often, but at night I cover her in this stuff to act as a barrier cream as she’s in her nappy all night after all. It does the job perfectly and smells good too.

Coconut Oil is considered safe to use with cloth nappies.

2. Weleda Calendula Nappy Cream.

I used Welada a lot in newborn stage when babies bottoms tend to be a little more sensitive and need more of a barrier. Unfortunately coconut oil didn’t quiet do enough for the first month but this caldendula nappy cream was a lovely barrier cream for a newborn. I still use it every known again if we get any teething rashes or soreness and it seems to calm things down again. The Nappy Lady sells it here but it is also available in most supermarkets.

Weleda Calendula cream is also safe to use with cloth nappies.

3. Good old fashioned air.

I try to give Reeva a nice bit of nappy free time after a bath all year round and of course there much more of that during the summer months. There’s nothing like a good bit of fresh air and freedom to help calm any rashes down. In the early days when there was a risk of wees I would lie down a towel on the floor and let her roll around to her heart content. Now she’s older it’s a good reason to get the potty out and let her get used to that idea to. For when she’s ready of course.

4. The right materials.

If your using cloth nappies make sure your using the right materials against babies skin. Your instinct may tell you it should be all natural, organic material next to babies bum but for once this isn’t always true. Fleece in the most common material to go next to babies bum or to use as a liner as it wicks moisture away from their skin and will leave them feeling dry. Unless your nappy has fleece sown in or states it has a stay dry layer always make sure there is a fleece liner in the nappy. Moisture sitting next to the bottom will cause rashes. Or worse micro-fibre sitting next to the skin will draw all moisture away and leave them leave irritated.

5. Balmonds Baby Balm.

I’ve yet to hear of anyone that hasn’t tried this and loved it. This baby balm can be used for everything and anything but works great on nappy rash. I reach for this when we need something stronger, like when we had a skin reactions.

Hannah xx