Learn how to treat nappy rash naturally and effectively, using my tried and tested home remedy using chamomile tea that soothed my own babies’ skin surprisingly quickly.
It’s been a little while since my kids were in reusable nappies. In fact, my youngest daughter turned 10 this year, which completely blows my mind.
While it’s been a good few years since we’ve used nappies, a few of my friends have had babies lately. I’ve really been enjoying being able to meet up with them for a cup of coffee and marvel at their tiny humans, all whilst being able to pass their babies back as soon as they start to cry!
One friend I met with recently was in a bit of tizz because her baby had developed a rash on its bottom and Sudocrem didn’t seem to be helping. Then I remembered one of the best tips my health visitor ever gave me to treat nappy rash naturally…
What Is Nappy Rash?
First off, nappy rash is a skin condition common in babies.
The NHS says that nappy rash can be triggered by prolonged contact with wee or poo, friction from nappies, infrequent changes, irritation from soaps or detergents, alcohol-based wipes, or a course of antibiotics.
From experience, I’d also add to that list that nappy rash can definitely be triggered by teething.
It’s quite easy to identify nappy rash. The whole of your baby’s bottom may be red, or it could be limited to red patches. You might find spots, blisters, or pimples, and the area may look sore and feel hot to the touch.
Like so many baby-related worries, nappy rash can feel upsetting when you’re in the thick of it, especially if your baby seems uncomfortable. However, it is incredibly common, and in most cases, it clears up quickly once you find what works for your child.
A Nappy Rash Home Remedy Using Chamomile Tea
When my eldest daughter developed a bad case of nappy rash when she was teething, our health visitor recommended an amazingly simple natural remedy that I’d love to share with you today.
You Will Need
- A Cup
- A Chamomile Tea Bag
- A Kettle
- A Reusable Baby Wipe or Cloth
Method
- Make up a cup of chamomile tea in the normal way – one chamomile tea bag in a cup of boiled water – and then leave the tea bag in to steep.
- When the tea has cooled, soak a cloth in the tea.
- Once soaked, wring the cloth out, and use that to wipe your baby’s bum.
- Alternatively, you can decant the tea into a sterilised spray bottle, and then use that at nappy change time in combination with a reusable baby wipe.
I used this at every nappy change for a couple of days, and we started noticing an improvement very quickly, often within the first day. The redness eased, and her skin looked far calmer, which was a huge relief at the time.
Our health visitor didn’t normally hand out natural remedies. So I knew, coming from her, that this was the real deal.
I looked into it, and it turns out this natural nappy rash remedy works because chamomile has mild antiseptic, antimicrobial and antifungal properties, and is incredibly soothing. Chamomile also rapidly aids the skin’s healing after a nappy rash appears. It’s all-round magic in a teabag!
However, as with anything new on delicate baby skin, it’s worth paying attention to how your child responds. Chamomile is generally very gentle, but if anything seems to irritate their skin, it’s best to stop and try something else
Other Top Tips
There are some other top tips you can follow to help treat or prevent nappy rash:
- Firstly, if your child is suffering from nappy rash, then changing nappies more frequently can make a noticeable difference, as it reduces the time your baby’s skin spends damp or in contact with irritants.
- Secondly, air is brilliant at helping nappy rash to subside. Nappy-free time really helps to get the air circulating around your baby’s bottom. It sounds silly, but think about when we cut ourselves. We know that once we have stemmed the blood flow, then letting air in rather than suffocating it behind a plaster is often the best course of action. It’s the same with nappy rash.
- For babies that aren’t yet mobile, then simply placing a towel down on your baby’s changing mat and letting them enjoy some nappy-free time can really help.
- Finally, minimising the use of scented products can be helpful. For example, scented bubble bath was always a no-no when our kids had nappy rash.
When To See A GP Or Health Visitor
Most cases of nappy rash are mild and clear up quickly with simple measures like keeping the area clean and dry, giving plenty of nappy-free time, and using soothing remedies such as this chamomile tea remedy.
However, if a rash doesn’t start to improve after a few days, or seems to be getting worse despite your best efforts, it’s always best to see your local pharmacist, GP, or health visitor. If your baby also seems unusually uncomfortable or develops a high temperature alongside the rash, then that’s also a key sign to quickly seek professional medical advice.
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