Nappy rash is a common skin irritation that almost all babies will experience. When nappies are worn, rashes will be lurking around the corner. Rash can impact babies whether they wear disposable or cloth nappies, but there are some easy ways to minimise nappy rash and keep little bottoms happy.
Nappy rash can be caused by many things, with the most common culprit being irritation caused by urine and poop. Moisture on their sensitive skin can cause the skin to weaken, causing redness, bumps and tears. Nappy rash can also be triggered by reactions to skin creams, chemicals, fabrics or foods. No matter the cause, It’s not a comfortable time for your little one.
8 SIMPLE NAPPY RASH SOLUTIONS
1. Change nappies regularly
The easiest way to prevent rashes is to change your baby's cloth nappy regularly. Cloth nappies use physical absorption vs. chemical gel absorption, so they do need to be changed more frequently. We recommend checking bubs’ nappy every hour and changing them every 2 hours. Let their bottom dry before putting the next nappy on. Make this waiting time a moment to laugh, play and bond with your little one—your baby will love the extra face to face time with you.
2. Clean baby thoroughly
This may sound obvious, but ensuring your little one has no urine or poop residue left on the skin will help reduce the chance of rashes. Simply clean away any mess and use a fresh cloth wipe with water to make sure nothing is left behind.
3. Choose a moisture-wicking layer
Because most rashes are caused by a buildup of moisture, adding a moisture-wicking barrier can help. Our EcoNaps nappies can be set up as a pocket nappy, giving you the option to place the soft, moisture-wicking microfleece layer next to bubs' skin. This layer will help draw moisture away from the skin to keep bubs dry, happy and rash-free.
4. Embrace nappy free time
Regular nappy free time is not only great in preventing rashes, your little one will love feeling the breeze on their bottom. Nappy free time lets bubs’ skin breathe and reduces any friction that nappies could cause. At any sign of redness or irritation, opt for nappy free time. Just remember to lay down a towel or waterproof layer to catch any accidents 😯
5. Avoid irritating baby wipes
It’s best to avoid wipes with irritating ingredients or scents—they’re often too harsh on baby's skin (and worse for the environment). Instead of disposable wipes, opt for cloth wipes to reduce the chance of irritation. Our EcoNaps wipes are made from silky soft bamboo velour and are incredibly soft and gentle on sensitive skin.
6. Use a natural barrier cream
A bottom balm or cream helps create a physical barrier on your little one's skin to stop irritants like urine and poop from damaging it. They also feel incredibly soothing if your baby has a rash. However, some creams aren’t so clean. Certain chemicals can not only irritate your baby's bottom, but also degrade the quality of your cloth nappy liner.Protect your baby by choosing a cream with no nasties (like petroleum-based products or synthetic fragrances). We have used (and loved) Weleda Calendula Nappy Change Cream and Frankly Eco Baby Bum Cream. To preserve the absorbance and quality of your nappies, add a liner whenever you use a barrier cream on your baby too.
7. Wash cloth nappies carefully
When washing cloth nappies, avoid chemical-laden detergents that can cause nappy rash and leave residue on cloth nappies. Also to wash cloth nappies every two days at least to prevent any bacteria build-up. Always refer to the recommendations from your cloth nappy brand. Learn more about our EcoNaps cloth nappy washing routine and advice here.
8. Adjust babies diet
If your little one is on solids, some foods can cause more acidic and irritating poos. Suppose your little one is experiencing a rash. In that case, it's best to avoid acidic foods (like citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, pineapple, grapes & raisins) until symptoms calm down. We are passionate about avoiding and reducing nappy rash with our cloth nappies. We use gentle, yet highly absorbent bamboo velour for our liners to help minimise irritation. We hope this helps you navigate the world of nappy rash and avoid any serious irritation for your little ones. If conditions worsen, or you are concerned about the rash at all, please seek medical advice.