A Holistic Mama's Must-Have Diaper Rash Guide

You know those mamas who loooooooove to warn you about what to expect when you’re expecting? Well…I have a lot of them in my life. Breastfeeding, blowouts, swaddling, and sleepless nights – you name it and I was made leery and weary of all the above. While I’d like to think I’m an overall pretty laidback mom, I specifically remember a diaper rash horror story that left me anxious and afraid (before I even saw my daughter’s perfect little booty), and I silently and solemnly swore in that moment to avoid diaper rash at all costs.

Now I know what you’re thinking…”good luck lady!”…but I’m not kidding when I say I spent hooooooours researching common causes of diaper rash and how to prevent it, *plus* how to heal it if and when it happened. I ultimately concluded that diaper rash was inevitable and changed every wet and dirty diaper once my girl arrived with a “do my best” mindset.

And it never happened!

Sloan is now almost two and nearly out of diapers (except for at night) and has never had diaper rash. I can recall maaaaaybe an instance or two of slight redness, but never to the point that it progressed, affected her in any form or fashion, or lasted longer than a day.

This hit me when a mom friend desperately asked what we did for diaper rashes with Sloan…and I didn’t have an answer. “Oh!…I don’t think she ever had it!” was my final response, and in that moment I realized I might just have the answer after all.

My approach to the diaper rash dilemma with Sloan was 100000000% preventative. I was doing everything I could to naturally and effectively avoid diaper rash while also limiting toxins and chemicals in the process (something I’m ~not~ so laidback about as a parent and person in general). I didn’t know if this strategy would work, but I gave it my best, it did (!!!!!!), and now I’m letting you in on my secrets.

First…what is diaper rash?

Diaper rash is skin irritation in the diaper area that can present as skin warmth and redness all the way to painful sores, blisters, and pus-filled wounds (the stuff those horror stories are made of). It has many potential causes including prolonged periods in a soiled diaper, chafing or rubbing, yeast or bacterial infection, or an inflammatory reaction to food, medication, the diaper itself, or something else in the baby’s environment.

I don’t know about you, but a list like this drives me ~crazy~ as a mama. Like…can someone please just tell me exactly where to put my effort and energy as a parent whose effort and energy is already in 82049183612389 places at once, please and thank you!?

Aaaaaaand this is why (IMO) prevention is key. Rather than respond to diaper rash by playing detective, all with an irritable baby who is likely not interested in making sudden life changes, I preferred to know these causes going into it and avoid the common culprits from the start. This included my diaper choice, Lolo’s diet, and what we allowed in, on, and around her body…all things I’m beyond excited to share about here.

Why an all-natural approach?

The average infant enters the world with over 200 industrial chemicals in their blood, and is often exposed to hundreds if not thousands more once out of the womb. Formulas, wipes, lotions, soaps, diapers, clothing, bedding, toys…all of the above can unfortunately contain phthalates, formaldehyde, and pesticides that have been linked to cancer and hormone disorders.

Now let me get something out of the way right now…completely avoiding harmful toxins and chemicals is impossible. Even with devout research, label checking, ingredient list scouring, and the best of intentions, your child is going to come across them. But you shouldn’t worry yourself sick…nor should you throw in the towel.

As someone who personally has a hormone disorder, I started my journey of toxin-free living about four years ago when preparing to get off birth control and naturally manage my endometriosis. When I became pregnant and Sloan was born (which I was told would be impossible due to endo), most of our home and habits were already chemical-free. I can’t tell you how much having this base of products, knowledge, and passion around all-natural living helped when planning and preparing to care for our girl with the same approach.

There are so many reasons to be more mindful about you and your baby’s toxic load, and even if you’re just starting your journey into more awareness and holisicc living – fear not! [This] is the perfect time and place to start. Here are a few tips to avoid overwhelm (and waste) when making your all-natural swaps –

Use the Think Dirty App. This app scans products and rates them on a scale from 0 (clean) to 10 (dirty) as well as lists the toxic ingredients each product contains. You can assess your current products, learn the names of common toxic chemicals, and use it in your hunt for clean(er) options.

Don’t be wasteful! It can be tempting to throw away your “dirty” products (#guilty) once you learn of their effect on the body. And while this ~is~ the safest option, it’s also very wasteful. Rather than just toss, you have a few choices (unless you or your baby are reacting to the product) – use it until it’s gone and then make the switch. You can also consider donating, recycling, or giving to someone who prefers to use it.

Make one switch at a time. An entire product, environment, and lifestyle overhaul can be overwhelming, time consuming, and expensive. While preparing for a new baby is the perfect time to fill your registry with all-natural products, committing to what you can in the season you’re in is key for long-term success. Pick one (or two) of my recommendations below based on your baby’s needs, then slowly tweak and add as you’re ready.

I’m ridiculously passionate about allllllll things natural living and have seen the health benefits of making this a priority for myself and my family. I’m not gonna lie…this lifestyle takes energy (again…those toxins are EV-ERY-WHERE), is often a bit more expensive (just another way our system needs help), and definitely requires mindfulness. But once you find products that check all your boxes, they become your tried and trues…and I’m sharing all of my diaper rash favorites here.

My secrets to avoiding diaper rash

Ok…the info you’ve been waiting for (eeeeeeek!). Before you read about how we prevented diaper rash, please know that I’m not an expert in this field. I’m an experimenter (and mama and pelvic rehab therapist who helps women with irritation “down there”), and this is what worked for ~our~ family. I can’t guarantee these results for you, but I do believe there’s zero harm in sharing potentially helpful information like this. Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the more confident you can be in your diapering decisions…and more!

I also want to be transparent and note that some of these products and lifestyle choices can be more expensive, and I’m aware it’s a massive privilege to be able to afford these options. Truth be told…our family isn’t swimming in money, but we choose to prioritize our health and put a portion of our income towards quality health products every month. The return on investment can’t be measured, but we see and feel its benefits every day.

So with that, here’s eight things we did to avoid diaper rash. I believe wholeheartedly in the importance and effectiveness of the following, and my fingers are crossed that it works just as well for you too.

CHEMICAL-FREE DIAPERS

Ohhhhhhh, the hunt for the ideal diaper. I think the only things I spent ~almost~ as much time on were the perfect pacifier (which Lolo never used), best bottle (she couldn’t have cared less), and cutest crib sheets (a hands-down success, if I do say so myself!). Besides the obvious of actually being able to hold in the mess, I also wanted diapers that were easy to buy, didn’t totally break the bank, came in all white (#priorities), and most importantly…were toxin-free.

The typical baby goes through about 2500 diapers in their first year (don’t add up the cost…it’s depressing), and the average diaper contains harmful chemicals including chlorine, dyes, fragrance, formaldehyde, pesticides, and phthalates. ~Literally~ every diaper on the market has super absorbent polymer (SAP) in the core, which is derived from petroleum and has yet to be appropriately tested for safety.

If I was home with my daughter more, I would have done cloth diapering for this very reason, no questions asked (this blog post is an amazing resource for cloth diapering, btw). But because I work fulltime and have family and a nanny helping, I didn’t feel right putting that burden on them. We settled on disposable diapers for ease and convenience, and after trying a few different brands that met my criteria, I settled on Nest diapers for Sloan and couldn’t be happier. Here’s why –

Ingredients. While these diapers still have SAP in the absorbent core (again…E-V-E-R-Y disposable diaper currently has this), their website is open and honest about what their diaper’s made from, what/where it’s sourced, and why it’s there. This diaper isn’t perfect, but their inner layer that actually touches baby’s genitals was the best I could find.

All white. So I know wanting all white diapers might seem boujee, but beyond the aesthetic, diapers without a design have less toxic dyes. While the colors and patterns are “cute”, they’re cute chemicals that don’t belong near your baby’s skin 24/7.

Easy to buy. I try to shop small and local as much as possible, but Amazon is great for things like diaper subscriptions and Nest diapers are a “Prime” product that we loved getting easily and automatically shipped right to our front door.

They work. I’m convinced that no diaper is blow-out proof, but overall I feel like leakage was minimal with Nest diapers. We never needed special diapers for night, and anytime Sloan ~did~ leak, we simply took it as a sign that she was ready for the next size up.

Now for the downsides, because just about every product has them, and I’d be lying if I told you Nest diapers were a 10/10 (I’d give them a 9.5…but still). I’m someone who reads the reviews before buying anything, and the following would be a part of my honest opinion –

Cost. Nest diapers are some of the more expensive diapers out there. Depending on the size and quantity you buy them in, they run from $0.51 to $0.78 cents per diaper. They’re cheaper if you use the Amazon subscription (or put them on your Amazon baby registry), but in full transparency, we spent around $100 a month on diapers with this brand.

Sizing. Dear Nest, please make your diapers in larger sizes…thanks! One of the main reasons we started potty training Sloan so early is that she was about to outgrow the Nest diapers and we didn’t want to compromise with another brand. It turned out to be the perfect timing for us to ditch diapers (Sloan’s 22 months old and *rocking* potty training), but it would have been nice to have the option to go bigger if needed.

While I’m passionate about everything on this list, diaper choice is easily one of my top keys to preventing diaper rash. A baby’s skin is thinner and more permeable, especially around the genitals, and because diaper manufacturers aren’t well regulated, our children are at risk for harmful chemical exposure which can potentially cause diaper rash, but also negatively affect physical and psychological development.

If we ever decide to try/are blessed with a second babe, I will definitely use Nest diapers again orrrrrr follow my heart and make the leap into cloth diapering.

MINIMALIST BABY WIPES

Kind of like diapers, the wipes we rub on baby’s booty (and face, hands, and body) a million times a day can also contain a lot of hidden toxins and chemicals. I was admittedly not as diligent when researching wipes options, and used a readily available, seemingly “clean”, “plant based”, “contains 99% water” brand. Sounds fine…right? While these wipes didn’t cause diaper rash, I recently read the ingredients list and ~~wasn’t too pleased~~ was disturbed with what I saw.

There were times I was an over-achiever and made my own wipes (see below for the “recipe”), but they were hard(er) to pack in the diaper bag, went bad within a week, and required a bit more effort. Sloan’s skin loved them, I loved having complete control of what was in them, but I just wasn’t consistent with it.

HOMEMADE WIPES

Take a paper towel roll that’s perforated into half sheets and cut the entire roll in half.
Place one half of the paper towel roll in a sealable container with a lid (this size is perfect).
Mix together:
½ tbsp Dr. Bronner’s unscented baby soap
½ tbsp. organic, cold pressed coconut oil
1 cup warm water
2 drops lavender essential oil
Pour mixture over the half paper towel roll.
As the paper towel roll soaks up the mixture, remove the cardboard tube.
Pull wipes from the middle to use.

While we still use the “not-as-clean-as-I-thought” wipes brand (because we have a whole drawer full of ‘em) and they are EWG verified, there are farrrrrrr better options out there. In my investigating for this post, I stumbled across the Bets + Emy brand, which only has two ingredients and are American made. You can bet I’ll be switching to these as soon as we run out of our current stash.

Like I mentioned earlier…this stuff can be tricky and it’s iiiiiiiiiimpossible to be perfect. As long as we do the best we can in the season we’re in and ~definitely~ don’t beat ourselves up when our choices don’t turn out like we hoped, we can keep moving forward, keep researching our options, and keep making family-first decisions with confidence and peace.

NORWEX BODY CLOTHS

Call me crazy, but we’ve never washed Sloan’s body with soap. Nope…not once! I think even the most gentle soap ingredients can be too much for baby’s skin, and we knew we had a better alternative (keep reading to see what it is!!!).

I educate women on vulva care all day long (grab this free guide for my top tips), and the same principles apply to a baby’s genitals too…especially for girls. The vagina is a self-cleaning structure, and soap can actually destroy the vagina’s good bacteria. Plus the fragrances, phthalates, sulfates, and parabens that are commonly found in soap can cause skin irritation (aka diaper rash) and the other cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting side effects.

Instead of soap, we use Norwex body cloths to wash Sloan’s face, body, vulva, and booty (in that order), and couldn’t be happier with this zero-toxin option. These special cloths are made out of microfiber that is 1/200^th the thickness of a human hair, which mechanically cleans the skin rather than chemically. The Norwex cloths are also woven with silver ions to inhibit mold, fungus, and bacteria growth, so the cloth cleans itself as it dries and can be used multiple times before needing to be washed.

I know this sounds crazy, but I first found these cloths in 2017 and haven’t used soap to clean my body since. Seriously. And because I’m such a fan, we’ve been using them for Sloan since her first bath ever (insert teary eyes here), and I truly believe minimizing the amount of harmful chemicals her booty comes in contact with has made all the difference in avoiding diaper rash.

PS- We also don’t give Sloan a bath every day. Regular bathing is ~actually~ not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Dermatology. Bathing too regularly can remove the body’s good skin bacteria and cause excessive skin dryness, both of which can contribute to diaper rash.

TOXIN-FREE LAUNDERING

While there’s a diaper barrier between your baby’s booty and clothing, the products you use to launder their clothes absorb into their skin all day. If your detergent, fabric softener, whitening agents, or dryer sheets contain toxic chemicals (FYI – they liiiiiiiiikely do), skin inflammation and irritation can result…aka diaper rash.

Thankfully today’s detergent options are getting “cleaner”, and you can use the Think Dirty App I mentioned earlier to see where your current detergent falls. We use Norwex Detergent, which is made out of plant- and mineral-based ingredients and is free of dyes, fragrances, brighteners, phosphates, phthalates, ammonia, chlorine, or bleach…aaaaaand it works amazing! At just over $30 a bag it might seem expensive, but because the ingredients are so pure and concentrated, you only need a small amount (1 tsp) and one bag lasts up to 100 loads.

Similarly, dryer sheets contain diaper rash- (and cancer-) causing carcinogens that you may want to consider replacing too. I’ve grown to love dryer balls instead, and while they don’t leave the same smell, a few drops of lemon, orange, or lavender essential oils on your dryer balls will provide a lovely, clean, toxin-free, scent.

You might not think of laundry when you think of diaper rash, but anything that touches your baby’s skin could be a contributing factor. Diaper rash or not, I think this switch is a ~must~, and the whole family will be thanking you.

100% ORGANIC COTTON CLOTHING

You’re probably getting the picture by now…anything that comes in contact your baby’s skin can cause diaper rash, and their clothing itself is another common culprit. Synthetic materials make it difficult to wick away moisture. Plus, unless your clothes are organic, there are six chemicals regularly used in the production of kid’s clothing –phthalates, antimony, organotin compounds, nonylphenol ethoxylates, heavy metals, and perfluorinated chemicals – of which one or more are linked to hormone disruption, fertility issues, birth defects, cancer, liver, heart, and lung problems, decreased immunity, autoimmune disorders, and skin irritation.

We dress Sloan in 100% organic cotton as much as possible, and I’m convinced this has helped us avoid diaper rash. This practice could be ridiculously expensive, but we’ve used the clothing rental service, Upchoose, since the day she was born. For a monthly fee, Upchoose sends you a set of clothes based on your style, preferences, and season, and you keep the clothes as long as you need them. When you’re ready for the next size up (doesn’t matter if it’s in three weeks or three months) you simply click a button and the next set is sent your way. Choose between new or pre-loved, enjoy free shipping fees, don’t worry if the clothes get ruined, keep items if you like, and return other 100% organic clothing for a credit.

Can you tell I’m in love!? We’ve used Upchoose for almost two years now and will likely continue to do so until Sloan grows out of their size options. We adore the pre-loved clothes, and I get giddy thinking about other babes wearing items we made memories in too. Want to give it a try? Use code MANDM21 for $21 off your first month’s subscription.

If you like the idea of 100% organic cotton clothing, made of chemical-free, clean, soft, breathable, and environmentally friendly textiles for your babe, but wardrobe rental isn’t for you…there are still tons of options! I’ve stumbled across some of the cutest 100% organic cotton baby brands through Upchoose, and these are some of my favorites –

[THIS] BABY BALM

I was gifted more diaper rash creams and booty pastes than I care to count when expecting Sloan…but I didn’t use a single one of them. Not only could I see that most were full of toxic chemicals with a single glance, but I already owned ~exactly~ what I would use on Sloan’s little butt.

The Primally Pure Baby Balm is a miracle cream that I personally used on my baby bump (combined with Primally Pure’s Baby Oil…not a stretch mark in sight!), on chapped breastfeeding nipples (always healed in a day), dry lips, cracked heels, and puffy eyes. Organic tallow is the main ingredient in this Baby Balm, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, anti-oxidants, produce collagen for faster skin repair, and doesn’t clog pores…all features that make it literally perfect for diaper rash too.

Not only did I put this on Sloan’s booty once a day as a preventative measure, but anytime an ounce of redness started for form, I applied the Baby Balm and it would disappear. Primally Pure also makes a Baby Kit, which includes the Baby Balm, Baby Oil (perfect for babe’s post-bath massages), Baby Powder, and Baby Bar (if you’re set on using soap), all made with clean ingredients you can be confident in. Use code MANDM10 for 10% off your entire Primally Pure purchase.

DIET

Everyone has different opinions on what babies should eat. From breastmilk to formula, when to switch to solids, and baby lead weaning…I believe that fed is best and support however you choose to nourish your child. On the subject of diaper rash, however, preventing constipation, diarrhea, and excess inflammation is key for keeping baby’s bum diaper-rash free.

Every child is unique, and I can’t tell you what foods are best for your baby. I can say, however, that we are very strict with what we feed Sloan, and I’m convinced it made a difference in our attempt to avoid diaper rash.

Breastfeeding. I’m blessed to have breastfeed Sloan every day since she was born and hope to continue to do so until she turns two (I think we’re both ready). Research shows breastfed babies are less likely to have constipation or diarrhea, both common contributors to diaper rash, and breastmilk also contains antibodies to fight off bacteria and gut infections.

Avoid PUFA’s. Nut and seed oils like canola, soybean, corn, safflower, sunflower, peanut, and vegetable oils are Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA’s) and are hiiiiiighly inflammatory…aka bad for diaper rash. Unfortunately, if you look at the ingredients list of just about any processed food, it will contain at least one PUFA. Cooking at home and eating whole foods is the easiest way to keep PUFA’s out of your baby’s diet.

Meat-based diet. Our family overall follows a meat-based diet with a majority of our meals including meat, fruit, eggs, and raw dairy. There’s descent research behind eating this way to improve gut health and decrease inflammation (both of which can contribute to diaper rash) as so many of the nutrients that come from animal products are easier for the body to break down and more bioavailable to the cells.

There are a few other ways we watch what Sloan eats and a couple extra supplements we add for her overall health, but [these] are the diet choices I assume helped us successfully avoid diaper rash. “You are what you eat” is an old saying that continues to ring true, and we’ll continue to choose good foods for Sloan as long as possible, even when she’s out of diapers.

Aaaaaand, that’s a wrap!

I’ve heard that diaper rash is a you-know-what, and if there’s a way to make our babies more comfortable and put our mama hearts at ease, sign me up each and every time. Being 100000000% responsible for another human being is the wildest ride, and the more we know going into that role, the smoother it will be. (It will always be the hardest job ever, diaper rash or not, but you know what I mean).

If I had to choose the best bang for your buck action item from above, it would be the Primally Pure Baby Balm…hands down. With just one purchase I believe you could make a world of a difference in both preventing and treating baby balm, plus it has so many other uses for you and baby besides diaper rash.

Whether you’re currently in a diaper rash dilemma or are like me and never want to be, this post was for you. Make sure to pin it to that gorgeous “baby” Pinterest board I know you’ve got goin’ so you can come back to it as needed. And if you know a mama or soon-to-be parent who could use this information, please pass this post along! Nothing says “I love you” like taking a deep dive google search off a busy mom’s plate.

My final thoughts…

I don’t know about you, but the amount of chemicals and toxins our babies are exposed to appalls me. I don’t have the answers for fixing this system, but I’d like to think putting my time, effort, and hard-earned money towards a lifestyle and products I support and trust is a great place to start. It’s going to take effort, but I believe we can fix this issue, one mindful and determined mama at a time. These choices aren’t always easy, but we’ve already established that motherhood isn’t either…so in the name of ditching diaper rash, let’s help our babies, our environment, and our health one small effort at a time.

– Amanda

Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. I’m a doctor, but I’m not your doctor. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.