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Returns What to do about nappy rash
Poor little Aerin has a bright red, sore bum. She's teething and as a result has been having lots of vicious, watery poos, which has resulted in a sore bottom for her. Possibly because I missed a poo at naptime and she had slept in it for a little while, ouch!
Nappy Rash is one of those things that most children will suffer from at one stage or another, either when they're teething, or maybe have an upset tummy. It's caused by contact with wee and poo being in contact with their delicate skin and can happen whether you're using cloth OR disposable nappies.
If you find your little one has a sore bottom, here's what do do about nappy rash:
1. STOP using disposable wipes
2. Swap to using just water for nappy changing
4. Change nappies more frequently
6. Try a medicated nappy cream
7. See your GP or health professional
1. STOP using disposable wipes
If your baby has nappy rash, you don't want to irritate the skin further by applying a load of chemicals on top! I know this from experience, having suffered from eczema on my hands when my eldest son was born.
Any sort of disposable wipes made my hands painful, cracked and bleeding. This is what lead me to start using reusable wipes as I could control what I used on my skin.
It's also not a bad idea to stop using soap and bubble bath. Instead, blitz some oats in a blender until they are a fine powder and then insert in a mesh bag. Placed in their bath, the colloidal oats will really help soothe sore skin.
'Cheeky wipes are brilliant! So easy to use, and they feel really nice on baby’s skin. His nappy rash also cleared up after using these. ...I love them! 'Amy Trustpilot
2. Swap to using just water for nappy changing
Swapping to just plain tap water to clean your baby will really help. To do so, you can use cotton wool, however it has a tendency to stick to sore bottoms. Instead, try some lovely washable bamboo wipes which will gently cleanse without increasing soreness and can simply be washed and reused.
Just ensure that your wipes are thoroughly wet through with clean water and then gently wipe clean the entire nappy area. You can even use warm water from the tap if your baby finds that more soothing than room temperature wipes.
'Absolutely love our cheeky wipes. Would recommend to anyone. Much better than disposable wipes at cleaning messy bottoms. No sign of any nappy rash (we have been using them for 6 months now)...We had the rainbow coloured ones which we love. I feel good about using them from an eco point of view but also that they actually work well and my baby is happy.' Emma Trustpilot
3. Nappy free time
Give as much nappy off time in fresh air as possible. Just place your baby on a baby changing mat under their jungle gym etc and let them have a kick around.
I can HIGHLY recommend our washable changing mats for nappy free time as they are great quality and wash so well.
It's really quite incredible the amount of liquid that they hold and they're machine washable so if accidents happen, you can simply pop them in the machine.
They also great travel changing mats as they simply fold up and can be popped into your changing bag. Great if you've got to change your baby in the toilet when you're out!
Even 20 mins of nappy free time really seems to help and the air helps the rash dry out. If this isn't possible we have used the hairdryer on low heat setting after nappy change which helps leave your baby clean and dry. This is also really good for cracked nipples when you start breastfeeding!
'So soft to the touch, definitely warmer and more comfy for baby to lie on than a traditional plastic changing mat. Reliably water proof, which surprised me given the feel of it. And looks lovely!' Trustpilot product review
4. Change nappies more frequently than normal
Always a good idea to check their nappies more frequently and change them if there's any sign of a wee or poo. So easy for your baby to do a poo and naptime and then lay in it for a while.
This can sometimes be tricky to spot which is why Cheeky Bamboo Cloth Nappies are made from grey bamboo. The nappy immediately darkens if it has been wee'd in, making it easy to spot!
'These nappies and wraps are amazing. We tried a couple of other reusables before buying the kit and there was no comparison. The nappies absorb so much yet my baby is still dry to the touch.
Easy to use once you get in the routine. We also have the cheeky wipes. Massive poos and I only need one wipe. I can also top to tail him with them. No nappy rash, no rubbish. Just brilliant. Couldn't recommend anything else.' Zara, Trustpilot
5. Use a barrier cream
A barrier cream is brilliant for helping to protect little bottoms and prevent nappy rash. If you use cloth nappies, it's important to use a barrier cream which is cloth nappy safe. By that we mean that the cream won't build up and damage the fibres of your nappies.
We love our organic coconut oil as it's 100% natural and just one ingredient. However Weleda nappy cream also gets great reviews and is also suitable for cloth nappies.
'Really good product, has helped with moisturising and hydrating my sons skin.' Via Trustpilot
6. Try a medicated cream like metanium
A medicated cream like Metanium is absolutely brilliant for treating nappy rash. However if you're using it with cloth nappies, use it with care and ALWAYS use a fleece liner to avoid build up.
7. See your health visitor or GP
If you have recurring nappy rash that isn't clearing up with any of the above, do visit your health visitor or GP. Sometimes babies can have thrush which often looks just like nappy rash, but doesn't go away as easily. Your GP should be able to spot the difference and advise if an anti-fungal cream is necessary.
We hope that you found this article useful. Here's another couple of posts that you might find relevant:
About the author: Cheeky Wipes were created in 2008 by Helen Rankin a Mum of 4, who was on a mission to prove to parents that they could ditch disposable wipes and save money and the planet by switching to reusable wipes. Since then the company have introduced a range of 'Simple Reusables' including period pants and cloth sanitary pads which lead to them being awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise in sustainable development in 2021. The Cheeky Customer Services Team all use the products themselves and love nothing more than to chat pee, poo and periods!
