Aren't Cloth Diaper Babies Exempt from Diaper Rash?

I was disappointed to discover Little K was developing a diaper rash even with 100% cloth diaper usage. In the past, she's gotten a little red, but always cleared up after a diaper change or two. If she started appearing irritated, I would use a Charlie Banana diaper with its soft microsuede to soothe it. That usually did the trick. Until....I used natural fibers for several diapers in a row.

The advantage to natural fibers is their absorbency. A thin bamboo layer will absorb much more than a microsuede or microfiber layer of the same size. However, the natural fibers don't wick moisture away from the baby's skin. This is an advantage for older babies, because it provides an incentive for potty training. Little babies, on the other hand, can suffer from horrendous rashes from rubbing against a wet diaper.

One way to handle the situation is to use a diaper liner. This seems like an annoying extra step...so I decided to try to heal the diaper rash. I investigated creams that were cloth diaper friendly, noticing two common ingredients-witch hazel and olive oil. Within 18 hours of patting Little K with witch hazel and following it with an olive oil massage, her skin looked much better.

To cut down on the mess, I try to pour the witch hazel on while the soiled diaper is still under Little K. That way the diaper catches any extra drips. (Sometimes she's too wiggly for this!) Then, to get just the right amount of olive oil, pour a bit into the cap. Dip your fingers in the cap and rub the oil into baby's bum. This is Little K's favorite part-she loves her olive oil massage.

So, if you want to invest in a cloth diaper friendly rash cream, there are some great options out there. But while you're waiting on your chosen treatment to arrive, pull out the olive oil. Your baby will appreciate the care.