Baby crying from diaper rash? Don’t worry. Diaper rash is an extremely common affliction amongst babies, and typically isn’t anything serious. It’s important to remember that these remedies are not suitable for one-time applications; multiple applications of the product are key to ensuring that your baby recovers with ease. If left untreated, your baby’s diaper rash could progress into a yeast infection or various other kinds of bacterial infections. To stop it from spreading, take a look at some simple home remedies for diaper rash to help relieve your baby’s pain.
Try our easy home remedies for diaper rash to soothe your baby.
1. Vinegar
When it comes to easy diaper rash home remedies, it doesn’t get any more simple than vinegar. A great disinfectant (and amazing for cleaning), vinegar is an overlooked resource capable of helping you in this situation. Diaper rashes are caused by urine, which, similar to acid, can burn your baby’s skin. If they’re already suffering from a rash, it means your baby is in a lot of pain, an option is rinsing your baby’s diapers in a vinegar solution. This is viable whether they’re cloth or reusable.
Instructions
- Mix ½ cup vinegar in a basin of water.
- Rinse diapers thoroughly.
- Leave to dry.
2. Cornstarch
The main irritant of diaper rash is your baby’s urine, and a great way to combat that is to find household items which absorb moisture. If you use cornstarch for cooking or any other purpose, you’re already halfway to a great number of home remedies for diaper rash. Cornstarch will help absorb the urine, which will keep your baby’s skin dry. This will reduce the spread of diaper rash and help your baby’s skin to heal.
Instructions
- When changing the diaper, clean your baby’s bottom with warm water.
- Pat skin dry with a towel, allow it to air dry.
- Sprinkle a light layer of cornstarch onto your baby’s skin.
- Put on a fresh diaper.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is being touted today as a miracle product, perfect in everything from food to hair and skin. And it’s no surprise since coconut oil includes several antioxidants and possesses antifungal properties. This means it will kill yeast and prevent diaper rash from spreading. Included as one of our home remedies for diaper rash, it can be a great salve to spread on your baby’s skin and has the added benefit of making it softer. It can also be used as a great home remedy for burns.
Instructions
- Wipe gently with a towel.
- Apply a very thin layer of coconut oil.
- Do this several times a day whenever you change the diaper.
4. Baking Soda
Another common household item that can be used as a diaper rash home remedy is baking soda. It also possesses healing properties as well as being a great cleaner. It’s cheap, it’s common, and it may be a miracle product when it comes to saving your baby’s rear.
Instructions
- Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 4 cups of water.
- Wash baby’s rear with mixture during diaper changes.
- Pat skin dry before changing your baby into a clean diaper.
5. Oatmeal Bath
Used in many beauty and bath products, oatmeal possesses antioxidants and healing properties which soothe irritated skin. This is due to the high amount of protein embedded in oatmeal. It also helps make skin stronger and acts as a protectant. Oatmeal includes high amounts of saponin, a chemical compound which will wick away oils and dirt from the skin, keeping your baby’s skin protected from anything which may infect them while they have diaper rash.
Instructions
- Mix one tablespoon (dried) oatmeal to baby’s bath.
- Soak baby for 15 minutes.
- Continue with baby’s bath, cleaning them in the oatmeal solution.
- Repeat twice daily.
6. Petroleum Jelly
Another common household item that makes another great addition to our home remedies for diaper rash. Spreading petroleum jelly – regardless of brand – can help coat your baby’s skin in a layer of moisture to keep it safe from the spread of the rash, and irritating urine.
Instructions
- Make sure your baby’s bottom is clean.
- Wipe with a soft towel.
- Then apply a thin layer of jelly.
- Apply this every time you change the baby’s diaper.
7. Calendula Oil
For this remedy, ensure that you have the oil as opposed to the cream. Similar to petroleum jelly, calendula oil works by creating a barrier between your baby’s skin and any stool or urine that’s causing the diaper rash. It’s also a great remedy to use in cases of allergy inflammation or digestion issues. The barrier created by the oil ensures that the urine, stool or other substance will not irritate your baby’s skin, which in turn stops the spread of the rash.
Instructions
- Clean and dry the bottom of the baby.
- Apply a layer of calendula oil.
- Repeat this as often as necessary until the rash is gone.
8. Breast Milk
If you are nursing, breast milk may be the most inexpensive and convenient of our home remedies for diaper rash. Breast milk is soothing on baby’s skin (as well as their stomachs) and has properties which help fight infection. In addition, things like coconut oil may cause an allergic reaction if your child has never interacted with them before. With breast milk, there’s no risk of this.
Instructions
- Rub breast milk onto the rash.
- Allow the baby’s rear to dry before replacing your baby’s diaper.
- Repeat as often as you need to until the diaper rash has cleared up.
9. Shea Butter
Shea butter makes a phenomenal moisturizer, similar to coconut oil and oatmeal. After being present in so many beauty, bath, and self-care products, it shouldn’t be a surprise that it wound up on our list of home remedies for diaper rash. Shea butter is crammed full of all sorts of properties that are perfect for irritated skin, such as anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, and oils which promote cell regeneration. Using shea butter will ensure that your baby’s rash heals quickly, and the antifungal properties mean that the risk of a yeast infection seriously decreases.
Instructions
- During the diaper change, clean baby’s rear with soap and warm water.
- Pat dry, and allow to air dry.
- Rub a small amount of shea butter in your hands. Allow it to melt.
- Rub the melted shea butter onto your baby’s rash.
- Let the shea butter soak in before changing your baby into a clean diaper.
- Repeat on every diaper change.
10. Warm Bath
The easiest way to soothe a baby with a diaper rash is to give them a nice, warm bath. It is the easiest and most common from the list of home remedies for diaper rash. You can give the baby the classic bath with soap and water, or you can use baking soda.
Instructions
- Add 2 tablespoons baking soda to a tub of warm water.
- Bath baby for 10 minutes, two-three times per day.
- Gently pat skin dry before dressing baby.
11. French Green Clay
This remedy is actually often sold as a facial mask. It makes sense – as diaper rash is a skin affliction – that several beauty products and moisturizers would help relieve the inflammation caused by diaper rash. In addition, it’s no surprise that French green clay would make its way onto our list. Its soothing properties are gentle enough for babies’ skin, and the clay helps to kill yeast and prevent the rash from progressing into something worse.
Instructions
- Clean baby’s rear with a washrag and warm water.
- Pat dry and let air dry.
- Sprinkle the French green clay over the afflicted area.
- Repeat on every diaper change.
12. Plantain Oil
Somewhat less common than the other items on our list, plantain oil possesses anti-allergy properties. Not only is plantain oil great for treating diaper rash, but it will help kill any sort of rash associated with allergies. The anti-allergy properties can provide relief to your child’s inflamed skin, and the moisture will help return your baby’s skin to its natural softness.
Instructions
- Pat dry the baby bottom after previously washing it.
- Rub the rash with a layer of plantain oil.
- Let it sink in then put on a clean diaper.
- Repeat a few times a day.
Conclusion
While diaper rash may be a literal pain for your baby, getting rid of it doesn’t have to be. Using this extensive list of home remedies for diaper rash, your baby’s skin should be good as new in no time – particularly if the diaper rash is caught early. Additionally, be sure to conduct a spot test before working with the oils, even though, many of these products do play nicely together, so creating a custom remedy to knock it out of the park should be an easy task. Ultimately, if your baby’s rash seems to be worsening after trying these remedies, please seek a doctor’s guidance. A professional will be able to guide you in a direction that’s right for both you and your baby.
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