Your baby’s bottom is red, sore, and inflamed. You’re not sure what to do to make it feel better
A diaper rash can be incredibly uncomfortable for your little one. Not only is the rash itself painful, but the constant friction of a wet diaper against the skin can cause further irritation. A bad diaper rash can be incredibly uncomfortable for your baby, and it can be tough to get rid of.
Home remedies are a great way to treat a diaper rash. By using natural ingredients that you already have in your kitchen, you can soothe your child’s skin and help them feel better fast. There are a number of different natural remedies that should help to soothe your baby’s bottom and speed up the healing process. Before you decide your best treatment, its important to know what type of diaper rash your baby has.
23 Home Remedies for Diaper Rash:
If you’re looking for a more all-natural solution, here are some of our favorite home remedies for diaper rash:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Diluted apple cider vinegar can help to balance the pH of your baby’s skin and speed up healing. Read our post on Apple Cider Vinegar for Diaper Rash.
Oat meal (Paste or Bath)
Oatmeal is amazing for diaper rash. Either as a bath or a diaper cream paste. Mix ground oatmeal with a small amount of water to create a paste. Apply this to your baby’s bottom and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing off.
Baking Soda (Bath or Paste)
Baking soda is great for treating diaper rash. Another option is to make a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with water until it forms a thick, pasty consistency. Apply this to the rash and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing off. Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties that really calms the skin.
It can be used with sensitive skin as a paste when you change diapers or as a baby soak.
Breast Milk
Soothe your baby’s skin with a few drops of breast milk. We’ve done a guide to breastmilk lotion for diaper rash.
Olive Oil
Olive oil heals diaper rash. Apply a small amount of olive oil to your baby’s bottom and let it absorb into the skin.
Yogurt
Yogurt for diaper rash guide here. Apply plain yogurt to your baby’s bottom and let it sit for 20-30 minutes before rinsing off.
Coconut Oil
Read our guide to coconut oil for diaper rash. Rub a small amount of coconut oil onto your baby’s bottom twice a day. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and can help to soothe the diaper dermatitis/
Aloe Vera Gel or Aloe Vera Juice
Read our guide to aloe vera for diaper rash. Apply aloe vera gel directly to your baby’s bottom at diaper changes, or mix it with some water to create a soothing rinse in a bath.
Herbal Tea Rinse
Brew up a pot of chamomile or lavender tea and use it to rinse your baby’s bottom twice a day. Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory, while lavender has antiseptic properties. This helps diaper rashes and any spare get yourself a nice cuppa to relax!
Cornstarch
Cornstarch can be used for diaper rash. Sprinkle a small amount of cornstarch onto your baby’s bottom to help keep the area dry.
This is suitable for use with cloth diapers but not with a yeast rash.
Shea Butter
Read our guide to Shea butter for diaper rash. Apply shea butter to your baby’s bottom twice a day to help moisturize and soothe the skin.
Note this is not suitable for you with cloth diapers. Check out our guide to nappy creams and cloth diapers to see what you can use with your cloth stash! Don’t worry using cloth diapers does not cause diaper rash.
Other Natural Diaper Remedies
Other home remedies for diaper rash include:
- Epsom Salts Bath for Diaper Rash
- Lanolin for Diaper Rash
- Zinc Oxide for Diaper Rash
- Baby Powder for Diaper Rash
- Witch Hazel for Diaper Rash
- Milk of Magnesia for Diaper Rash
- Burnt Flour for Diaper Rash
- Egg White Remedy for Diaper Rash
- Calamine Lotion for Diaper Rash
Whichever remedy you choose, be sure to keep your baby’s bottom clean and dry. Change their diaper often, and make sure to rinse off the area well after applying any of the remedies. With a little bit of patience, you should be able to clear up your baby’s diaper rash in no time!
If you are worried about putting diaper cream on a newborn read our guide!
What clears up diaper rash fast?
There are a number of different home remedies that can help to clear up diaper rash fast. Some of our favorites include apple cider vinegar, oatmeal paste, baking soda paste, breast milk, yogurt, and coconut oil.
Often combining a number of these into a magic bum paste will work wonders. Our favourite recipes for homemade diaper rash cream include:
Oatmeal Magic Paste (best for bright red skin diaper rash)
- – ½ cup of oatmeal
- – ¼ cup baking soda
- – few drops lavender essential oil (optional)
- – enough water to make a paste
Apply this mixture directly to the rash, leave for 15 minutes then rinse off. This can be repeated twice a day until the rash clears up. When you make your own diaper rash cream you can mix and match the ingredients to see what works best on your baby’s rash. You can also make a cream to prevent diaper rash and use as a barrier cream.
Shea Butter Magic Paste (best for dry skin diaper rash)
- – ⅓ cup coconut oil
- – ⅓ cup shea butter
- – few drops tea tree essential oil (optional)
Melt these together, then apply directly to the rash and leave on. Do this twice a day until the rash clears up. Shea butter is great for inflamed skin, like most diaper rash creams it can’t be used if you are cloth diapering as it can clog up the fibres.
Cider Vinegar Rinse (Best for yeast infection)
- – ½ cup of apple cider vinegar
- – ¼ cup water
Mix these together and use them as a rinse after each diaper change. Make sure to thoroughly dry your baby in the diaper area before you put the diaper back on the baby’s bum! Also, having diaper-free time will work wonders and probably be better than most diaper rash products.
Or try:
– infusion of chamomile or lavender tea
Brew up a pot of chamomile or lavender tea and use it to rinse your baby’s bottom twice a day. Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory, while lavender has antiseptic properties. If you soak cloth wipes in this solution it’s excellent at treating diaper rash.
Bathing is one of the best ways to get rid of diaper rash fast. Make sure to give your baby a bath with warm water and add one of the following to the bath to help with diaper rash:
- Oatmeal
- Epsom Salts
- Baking Soda
- Olive Oil
What To Do For Severe Diaper Rash Home Remedies
If your baby has a severe diaper rash, you may need to take them to the doctor. The doctor may prescribe a cream or ointment to help clear up the rash. In some cases, they may recommend that you use an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
In addition, make sure to keep your baby’s bottom clean and dry. Change their diaper often, and make sure to rinse off the area well after applying any of the remedies.
How do you get rid of diaper rash in 24 hours naturally?
If your baby has diaper rash here is our 24 hour remedy
- Bathe baby 3 times a day in warm water. Add in either oatmilk, baking soda, epsom salts or a combination of all three. Bathing is great for diaper rashes.
- Change baby every 2 hours during the day. Dirty diapers should be changed instantly. A poopy diaper will aggravate any irritated or inflamed skin.
- At each diaper change time leave baby diaper free for about 30 minutes to promote healing. Air dry is honestly best!
- At each diaper change time ensure baby is completely cleaned and then pat dry with a soft cloth.
- Apply one of our magic pastes above at each diaper change.
If your child is always getting diaper rash check out our guide to common reasons why babies always getting diaper rashes.
Home Remedies For Yeast Diaper Rash
An apple cider vinegar bath works wonders for a yeast diaper rash. Add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath and soak your baby for 15 minutes. Do this twice a day until the rash clears up.
You can also try applying an infusion of chamomile or lavender tea directly to the diaper rash. Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory, while lavender has antiseptic properties.
In addition, make sure to keep your baby’s bottom clean and dry. Change their diaper often, and make sure to rinse off the area well after applying any of the remedies.
You can also use this in conjunction with an antifungal cream if it is severe inflammation.
Home Remedies For Diaper Rash Caused By Diarrhea
A rash caused by diarrhea is normally an acidic rash. You need to neutralise the acid and then soothe the skin.
To neutralize the acid:
– Add ½ cup of baking soda to a warm bath and soak your baby for 15 minutes. Do this twice a day until the rash clears up.
OR
– Apply an infusion of chamomile or lavender tea directly to the diaper rash. Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory, while lavender has antiseptic properties.
To soothe the skin:
– Apply one of our magic pastes above at each diaper change. OR
– Add enough water to make a paste and apply directly to the rash. Leave for 15 minutes then rinse off. This can be repeated twice a day.
Quick Home Remedies to Treat Diaper Rash
If your baby has a diaper rash:
– Bathe them in warm water with oatmeal, baking soda, epsom salts or a combination of all three.
– Change their diaper often and keep the area clean and dry.
– Apply a paste of water and one of the remedies listed above.
– Repeat as necessary.
– Keep your baby’s bottom clean and dry. Change their diaper often, and make sure to rinse off the area well after applying any of the remedies. With a little bit of patience, you should be able to clear up your baby’s diaper rash in no time!
For a quick remedy just try a soothing balm like shea butter to see if that makes the rash disappear and soothes baby’s skin.
The Bottom Line on Natural Diaper Cream
As you can see, there are many ways and natural remedies to get rid of diaper rashes. We hope that this article has given you some insight into the most effective remedies for your baby’s specific symptoms and what might work best in your home environment on your child’s rash.
If at any point these methods don’t seem to be working, make sure to consult with a doctor who will be able to recommend more advanced treatments or prescribe ointments if necessary. As always, we wish you luck on getting rid of diaper rash!
