Did you know that if you use cloth diapers for your baby, you need to choose a cloth-friendly diaper cream? Sometimes cloth diapers can prevent the need for diaper creams in some babies, by preventing diaper rashes and poop blowouts. However, some little ones will still require a diaper cream to keep their bottoms from getting red and rashy.
We’ve done all of the research for you! Here are the 5 best diaper creams for cloth diapers.
Best Diaper Cream for Cloth Diapers
All of the diaper creams on this list were chosen because they are truly cloth diaper safe. And we love them! They contain no ingredients that may alter the effectiveness of the diaper or cause staining.
Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm
Earth Mama offers an amazing multi-purpose diaper balm that is USDA certified and made with organic herbs and oils. This organic diaper balm contains lavender oil, tea tree oil, calendula, and other powerful herbs to not only protect but soothe agitated skin.
I love all of Earth Mama’s products and you can’t go wrong with the Earth Mama diaper balm! Usually a little goes a long way with the balms since they’re so moisturizing.
Motherlove Diaper Balm
Motherlove Diaper Balm is a gentle organic herbal cream that protects and soothes irritated bottoms while being safe for all types of diapers. It contains clean ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, calendula, and other soothing herbs.
This diaper balm is USDA-certified organic and made in the USA. Motherlove is another great company that offers many different amazing products for both mom and baby!
Maty’s Organic Multipurpose Ointment
Maty’s Organic Multipurpose Ointment is great not only as a diaper cream but also for cradle cap, chapped lips, and more. It’s made from jojoba oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E which provides a moisturizing barrier that protects and soothes the skin.
Maty’s is another great brand I trust and love, so this is another great option! It also comes in a squeeze tube version if you would prefer that over a jar instead.
Thirsties Booty Love Diaper Ointment
Thirsties Booty Love Diaper Ointment is a popular choice among cloth diapering parents as they also sell cloth diapers. Thirsties is made in the USA.
It contains certified organic oils and natural herbs that relieve dry skin and rashes. It can also be used to aid in the healing of minor cuts and skin irritations.
Zarbee’s Naturals Bottom Balm
Zarbee’s Natural Bottom Balm protects your baby’s diaper area with beeswax and soothes with calendula, aloe, and chamomile. It comes in a convenient squeeze tube and contains no artificial fragrances or parabens.
Zarbee’s brand offers quality, natural health products that fit a full range of your baby’s needs.
Cloth Diaper Friendly Ingredients
The nice thing about choosing a cloth-friendly diaper cream is they’re often free of harsh ingredients and are great for sensitive skin. They often contain natural products and still provide that protective barrier to your baby’s bum.
Cloth-safe ingredients include:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Lanolin
- Beeswax
- Vitamin E
- Shea Butter
- Cocoa Butter
- Aloe vera
Ingredients to Avoid When Using Cloth Diapers
So why can’t you use certain ingredients on cloth diapers? Some ingredients may be considered “unsafe” or not cloth friendly because of their ability to stain and leave a residue on the cloth. This residue can cause the cloth to become incapable of absorbing, which would leave some messy diaper clean-ups! And may cause you to have to replenish your cloth diaper stash which can get expensive.
This residue buildup may also cause bacteria growth if not removed, which may eventually lead to a bacterial infection. We definitely want to avoid that!
Ingredients to avoid when using cloth diapers:
- Zinc Oxide
- Calamine
- Parafin
- Petroleum Jelly (petroleum-based creams)
- Mineral Oil
- Fish Oil
You may be surprised to see zinc oxide on the list as that is a very popular ingredient in some diaper creams. Zinc oxide is really effective at providing a protective barrier between the skin and the diaper. But there are many on this list that provides the same effect while being cloth friendly!
Examples of popular diaper rash creams to avoid when using cloth include: Desitin Diaper Rash Cream, Aquaphor Baby Diaper Rash Cream, A+D Rash Ointment, and Boudreau’s Butt Paste.
Diaper Rash Causes
You may find that no matter which diaper cream you apply, the diaper rash keeps coming back. It’s best to find the underlying cause of the diaper rash, otherwise, you may never get rid of them! Here are a few possibilities for why your little one keeps getting a diaper rash in cloth diapers:
Fix Your Wash Routine
If you’ve washed your diapers and they still smell like poop or smell very strongly of ammonia build-up from pee, you’ll need to adjust your cloth diaper washing routine. Ammonia build-up in the diapers can cause a red, sunburn-looking rash to your baby’s bottom.
Yeast
Yeast rashes will be hard to get rid of without some sort of anti-fungal cream from your baby’s doctor. They look red, raised, and irritated and may begin to look scaly as they worsen. Talk with your baby’s doctor and disinfect all cloth diapers.
Wipe Sensitivity
Some babies are sensitive to certain wipes and this can be the cause of diaper rashes. Try switching over to a wipe made for sensitive skin or use warm water to rinse your baby off until the rash has subsided.
Detergent Sensitivity
Your baby may be getting diaper rashes from the type of laundry detergent you’re using to clean your cloth diapers. Try another detergent and see if your little one is still having issues.
Material of Diaper
Some cloth diaper materials may irritate your baby’s skin, like polyester. Trial a natural fiber diaper like cotton or bamboo and see if your baby’s skin responds differently.
Intense Diaper Rashes
If your little one is experiencing a moderate to severe diaper rash and these creams aren’t quite helping, you may need to temporarily switch over to a more heavy-duty diaper rash cream like Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. You can use disposable diapers temporarily until your baby’s skin has recovered.
Zinc oxide creams can provide a thicker protective barrier to protect your little one’s skin from any future breakdown or skin irritations. Diaper rashes can be tricky. If your little one has a rash that will not improve, have your baby’s pediatrician take a look!
Be sure to follow preventative measures such as changing your baby’s diaper frequently and putting on a diaper cream in between each diaper change. Your baby’s bottom will stay smooth and free from rashes!
Disclaimer
Some cloth diaper users report that zinc oxide creams did not affect the absorbency of their cloth diapers and were safe to use. This may depend on the type of material your cloth diaper is created with. Trial and use at your own risk.
