Whether you use cloth diapers or disposables, you will likely find yourself staring at a diaper rash your baby’s bum at some point. most of the time, it is simple irritation from moisture and poop. this is when a simple remedy is also a sure win. Your baby just needs a protective barrier against wetness and the acidic waste. If you have perused the baby aisle at your local grocery or big box store, you may have noticed there are a bunch of specialized creams and some of them have hilariously high prices. Not to mention very long lists of ingredients. what does it all mean? usually not much. If your baby’s diaper rash is a basic wetness rash, then an easy DIY diaper balm is all you need.
(Note: please bring your child to a pediatrician for stubborn rashes in case of allergies or yeast infections.)
Do it Yourself: Homemade Diaper Rash Balm
- One part shea butter
- One part coconut oil
That’s it. I’m really not kidding. Now, you could add essential oils if that is your thing. Or if you like a stiffer cream, you can add beeswax. You could even add zinc oxide powder for redness reduction or to turn it into a sunscreen. but, none of these are necessary fr a basic protective balm. We chose these two ingredients since they are cloth diaper safe because they rinse easily. If you prefer a scent, a couple drops of lavender oil mixed in works and is safe.
Place your coconut oil in a glass container and set it in a shallow water bath on your stove. Warm up the water until the oil is melted. Alternatively, you could just melt it in the sun on your window sill or maybe your oil is already liquid because you are a lucky duck to live where it is warm. Add your shea butter to the warm oil and mix well, until it is smooth. This might take a while by hand if your shea butter is cold. You could speed up the process by using a stand mixer if you are making a huge batch. Although, just a two ounce batch can last a bit if you don’t deal with rashes often. Since this can be used as a all around body moisturizer for baby and yourself, you could make large batches.
Store your balm in a tight container out of sunlight. Since the ingredients are natural, they can go rancid if left in a warm, light place. Coconut oil turns liquid at temps of 76*F or more, so in Summer your balm might be kind of goopy. It should be pretty solid at cooler temperatures. It also is a great conditioner for the ends of your hair! Try it on cradle cap and dry skin. Coconut oil and shea butter are versatile enough to be used all over the body.
(We are not doctors. Please seek medical attention for persistent or unidentified conditions.)
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-Steph
I love this… I’ve tried making my own butt balm before but it was crazy complicated. I think I’ll stick to this from now on. Thanks. 🙂