If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with one of the less glamorous realities of parenting: diaper rash.
Whether you're a new mom or have been at it for a while, diaper rash can be one of those frustrating battles we all face. It’s uncomfortable for your baby, and let’s be honest, it's not fun for us either!
But don’t worry, mom-to-mom, we’re here to share the best way to clear up diaper rash, and most importantly, how to keep it from coming back.
What causes diaper rash?
We’ve all experienced it: one day your baby’s bottom is smooth, and the next it’s red, irritated, and bumpy. But what actually causes diaper rash? Let’s break it down.
1. Moisture and prolonged wetness
One of the biggest culprits of diaper rash is moisture. Even the most absorbent diaper can leave some wetness on your baby’s skin, especially after prolonged exposure. This weakens the skin barrier and makes it more vulnerable to irritation, particularly when combined with urine or poop.
2. Friction
Tight diapers or frequent movement can lead to friction between the diaper and the skin, causing tiny irritations that develop into diaper rash. Babies who are active or in their diapers for long periods are especially prone to this.
3. Irritants (chemicals, wipes, and diapers)
Harsh chemicals in diapers, wipes, or creams can strip away your baby’s natural oils and disrupt their skin’s balance. Even alcohol-based wipes, used several times a day, can dry out the skin and make it more susceptible to rashes.
4. Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
When babies have diarrhea or frequent bowel movements, the enzymes in poop can irritate their skin faster. This is why teething or changes in diet often lead to diaper rash.
5. Yeast or bacterial infections
If a rash persists or worsens, it could turn into a yeast or bacterial infection. Yeast thrives in warm, damp environments, and a bacterial infection might show up as blisters or pus, often requiring medical treatment.
What’s the best way to clear up diaper rash?
Step 1: Clean gently but thoroughly
The first step in treating diaper rash is keeping your baby’s bottom clean.
But you want to be careful about how you do this. Harsh wipes loaded with chemicals can do more harm than good, even if they seem convenient. The truth is, many commercial wipes contain fragrances, alcohol, and other irritants that dry out and further inflame sensitive skin.
Instead, opt for a gentler approach. A soft cotton pad paired with a gentle, organic diaper lotion can cleanse your baby’s skin without stripping away its natural oils.
La Petite Creme diaper lotion cleans, protects, and repairs in one go, offering a simpler and more natural way to keep your baby's bottom fresh.
Step 2: Moisturize, protect, and repair with an organic balm
After cleaning your baby’s skin, it’s important to moisturize and create a protective barrier to prevent further irritation.
Traditional diaper creams can be thick and pasty, often leaving a sticky residue that’s tough to clean and can stain clothes. That’s where a good organic diaper balm comes in!
Unlike traditional creams, our organic balm is soft, lightweight, and absorbs easily into the skin. It soothes and moisturizes while forming a gentle barrier to protect against further irritation.
The best part?
It’s made from natural, organic ingredients, so you can feel good about what’s going on your baby’s skin.
As two moms who couldn’t find the classic French diaper lotions we loved after moving to America, we decided to create our own balm right in our kitchen. It’s a product we trust completely, and we’re proud to share it with other moms who want the best for their babies.
Step 3: Diaper-free time is your best friend
One of the best things you can do to clear up diaper rash—and prevent it from coming back—is to give your baby’s skin a break.
Whenever possible, let your little one go diaper-free. We know, the idea of a diaper-free baby might sound like a recipe for disaster (hello, accidents!), but trust us, it's worth it.
Exposing your baby’s bottom to fresh air helps dry out any existing rash and reduces moisture build-up. Lay down a blanket or towel and let your baby have some playtime without a diaper.
You don’t need to do it for long—10 to 15 minutes a few times a day can make a big difference.
Step 4: Prevention is key with the CPR method
While treating diaper rash is important, the ultimate goal is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
As moms, we know how frustrating it can be to constantly deal with diaper rash flare-ups, and prevention really is the best diaper rash remedy. After trying countless products and methods ourselves, we’ve found that the key to keeping diaper rash at bay comes down to one simple approach: the CPR method—Clean, Protect, Repair.
The CPR method is a natural and effective way to prevent diaper rash before it starts, by focusing on three essential steps:
Clean
Properly cleaning your baby’s bottom at every diaper change is crucial to avoiding irritation.
But as we mentioned earlier, not all wipes are created equal. Many store-bought wipes contain harsh ingredients that can actually dry out your baby’s skin and strip away its natural oils. Dry skin is more prone to irritation, which can quickly turn into diaper rash.
That’s why we prefer using soft cotton pads and a gentle diaper lotion to clean our babies’ bottoms. Our organic diaper lotion not only wipes away any residue but also moisturizes and soothes at the same time, ensuring your baby's skin stays soft and protected.
When you start with a gentle clean, you're already a step ahead in preventing diaper rash.
Protect
Once your baby’s bottom is clean, the next step is creating a barrier to protect it from moisture, friction, and irritants.
Moisture from urine and poop can quickly lead to skin breakdown, especially when trapped inside a diaper for long periods.
This is where traditional diaper creams fall short for many moms. They can be thick, pasty, and difficult to apply, and often leave a sticky residue that’s hard to clean off at the next diaper change.
Instead of using a sticky cream, we recommend our lightweight organic diaper balm. It’s soft, non-greasy, and absorbs easily into your baby’s skin, leaving behind a protective layer that keeps moisture out without clogging the skin. This helps protect against the wetness and friction that are the main culprits behind diaper rash, all while keeping your baby’s bottom soft and smooth.
Repair
Even with the best prevention, diaper rash can still pop up occasionally. Babies have sensitive skin, and sometimes a rash appears before we even notice the signs.
That’s why the third part of the CPR method is so important—repairing your baby’s skin as soon as any redness or irritation appears.
Our organic diaper balm is designed to soothe and repair the skin quickly. It contains gentle, natural ingredients that calm inflamed skin and help it heal, reducing discomfort for your baby.
Because our balm is made from organic ingredients, you can feel good about using it as often as needed, knowing it’s free from harmful chemicals and safe for your little one’s delicate skin.
Why the CPR method works
When you consistently follow the CPR method—cleaning, protecting, and repairing—you’re taking the most proactive approach to diaper rash prevention.
By keeping your baby’s bottom clean, dry, and protected, you’re tackling the root causes of diaper rash head-on. Plus, our all-in-one organic products make it easy to incorporate this method into your daily routine (our diaper lotion covers all three steps in one wipe!), simplifying your life as a busy mom while ensuring your baby stays comfortable.
Ultimately, saying goodbye to diaper rash once and for all isn’t just about treating it when it shows up. The best diaper rash remedy is prevention, and the CPR method gives you the tools to prevent rashes from ever becoming a problem in the first place.
With the right products, you can protect your baby’s cute little tooshie every step of the way.
Petites pensées
Diaper rash may be a common part of babyhood, but it doesn’t have to be a constant struggle.
By embracing a gentle, natural skincare routine and using a high-quality organic balm, you can keep your baby’s skin soft, healthy, and rash-free.
Our all-in-one organic diaper balm not only helps clear up diaper rash but also prevents future flare-ups, giving you peace of mind and more time to enjoy those sweet moments with your little one.
So, give your baby’s bottom the love and care it deserves—because a happy bottom makes for a happy baby!