Diaper Rashes and Creams: What You Should Know

 

 

If you've used disposable diapers for any length of time, you might be surprised to learn that when cloth diapering, diaper rash cream is not something I think about often. On the rare occasion I need it, I have to hunt it down—because it’s almost never in use. Why?

It’s all thanks to the science behind 100% cotton on baby skin (The science behind cotton’s breathability | CottonToday). Let’s face it: diaper rashes are awful. Babies hate them (understandably), and moms can’t stand seeing their little ones in discomfort. I remember using disposables with my oldest—now fifteen—and rashes were a constant battle. I tried different brands, slathered on creams, gave soothing baths… nothing worked until we let him go diaper-free for a while. That finally brought some relief. It was a tough time, and I found myself deep in the trenches of motherhood wondering what I was doing wrong. Years later, I realized it wasn’t me—it was the disposable diapers.

When I let my little guy go without diapers or creams, his skin got the fresh air it desperately needed. The human body has an incredible, God-given ability to heal itself—we just need to create the right conditions. Disposable diapers don’t offer that. If you’ve read my other blogs, you know I often highlight the chemicals in disposables (“Do Diapers Have Chemicals That Are Dangerous to Baby Health? – Million Marker”). The amount of endocrine disruptors and “forever chemicals” allowed near our most vulnerable population is staggering. Add a petroleum-based over-the-counter rash cream to the mix, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

With cloth diapering, the only thing touching your baby’s skin is 100% cotton. The waterproof plastic shell around the prefold doesn’t come into contact with their skin. Cotton’s breathability and moisture management make it a no-brainer for preventing diaper rashes. In most cases, cotton alone keeps rashes at bay.

On the rare occasion a rash does occur—usually due to illness or a food allergy—I use a natural balm made with beeswax or coconut oil and let baby wear just a prefold. No clothes, no cover. You’ll need to be more attentive to wet diapers, but honestly, that’s something we should be doing anyway. Natural balms help heal the rash while allowing the skin to breathe. I love the balm by Motherlove that we carry in our store—it’s made with soothing herbs like chamomile and a breathable beeswax base. In a pinch, plain organic coconut oil works wonders too!

If you’re using disposables and struggling with diaper rash, know this: it’s not your fault. The diaper itself is setting you—and many other parents—up for failure. If you’ve landed on this blog during one of those sleepless nights and coffee-fueled mornings, know that there’s a better way: cotton and natural products.

Remember, you and the child in your care are wonderfully made. These tough seasons are just that—seasons. Take that diaper off, let their bum breathe a little… and breathe easier yourself.

—Rachel

 

 

 

 

Sources:

“The Science Behind Cotton’s Breathability.” CottonToday, https://cottontoday.cottoninc.com/the-science-behind-cottons-breathability/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025

“Do Diapers Have Chemicals That Are Dangerous to Baby Health?” Million Marker, https://millionmarker.com/blogs/blog/toxic-chemicals-in-diapers. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.