How to Use Coconut Oil for Diaper Rash

As parents, we always look for the best ways to comfort our babies while keeping them happy and healthy. Diaper rash is probably one of the worst things that just about every parent is going to have to deal with at one time or another.

It’s horrible because you know your little one is uncomfortable and maybe even feeling pain, and that every diaper change is going to aggravate the area until it’s finally cleared up, but you know you have to deal with promptly. It practically hurts your heart to have to change the diaper, but you know if you wait too long, it will just get worse.

There are a lot of different products out there for treating this condition, but do you know which product is best for your little one’s smarting bum? Coconut oil for diaper rash might seem strange since it’s a food product, but it’s a very healthy and natural way to handle uncomfortable diaper rash. The other products on the market for diaper rash can have a huge list of ingredients that you may not be familiar with, but with coconut oil, you know exactly what you’re applying to such sensitive skin. If you're looking for a good solution you can just buy at the store, there are some great options. But if you'd like to do it yourself, read on...

Topics to be Covered

In this tutorial, we’ll cover:

1. Types of coconut Oil
2. Making your own diaper rash cream using coconut oil as a base
3. Best ways to use coconut oil for diaper rash
4. Allergy note

Ingredients to Make Your Diaper Rash Cream

1. Coconut oil of your choice ½ cup
2. Shea butter ¼ cup
3. Arrowroot powder 1 teaspoon
4. Essential oils as desired a few drops
5. Container

Gather Before Your Next Diaper Change

You’ll need:

1. Washable blanket
2. Fresh diaper
3. Coconut oil of your choice or your prepared coconut oil diaper rash cream: This is completely up to your preference, but the diaper rash cream with the added shea butter can help with creating a barrier between the soiled diaper and the rashy skin.
4. Soft washcloth or wipes: A soft washcloth can be wetted down with cold water to help soothe the bottom without applying any alcohol, fragrance or other chemicals that could irritate the delicate baby skin further, and is the preferred material, but diaper wipes will do in a pinch, such as when you’re out and about doing errands.

Step by Step Instructions for Mixing Your Own Diaper Rash Cream

Step 1: Gather your ingredients for mixing up your own cream.

Getting everything together before you start will make sure that you don’t have to stop to run to the store. Also, the essential oils are optional, but can add some benefits. You can add essential oils like lavender and tea tree oil as necessary, but only use a few drops as it could irritate the already irritated skin further. For instance, tea tree is helpful for when dealing with fungal infections, and Candida yeast can be a cause for your little one’s diaper rash.

Step 2: Mixing

Put the coconut oil and the shea butter in a small pot on your stove, and melt them down. Stir them gently to help them melt and mix. You’ll note that the coconut oil may already be liquid if the temperature in your home is over 76 degrees. Add the arrowroot powder after the oil and shea butter has liquefied, mixed, and has started to cool. This powder will help to thicken the paste to make it easier to spread. At this point, you can also add just a few drops of essential oil if desired.

Step 3: Bottling and Storage

You’ll take your newly-prepared diaper rash cream, and add it to the container of your choice. It may be easier to use a wide mouth mason jar intended for jams or jellies as they are typically easier to get to the bottom of the jar, and will be easier to get the cream out of while handling an unhappy, squirming baby. Smaller jars will also be great additions to your diaper bag, and you may want to opt for plastic rather than the typical glass jars. Keep the lid sealed well, and store in a cool, dry place to help it keep longer.

Step by Step Instructions for Using Coconut Oil for Diaper Rash

Step 1: Pick Your Coconut Oil

There are a number of coconut oil types available on the market, and it can be a bit confusing to decipher the differences between them.

• Pure coconut oil: This coconut oil is created by heating and crushing the meat of the coconut to get the oil. Pure in this sense means that nothing has been added to it.
• Refined coconut oil: This coconut oil has been processed. This means that it has been bleached and deodorized to remove the color and odor from the oil.
• Virgin coconut oil: This coconut oil comes from the milk of the coconut rather than the dried meat. It’s not heated during the extraction process, and has a very pleasant smell and taste. This oil keeps the natural antioxidants as it hasn’t been heated.
• Organic coconut oil: This coconut oil comes from trees that have not had any chemical fertilizers added to it, and no chemicals are used to process it during the extraction process.
• Organic virgin coconut oil: This coconut oil comes from the milk of coconuts grown organically with no chemical fertilizers.

The best choice for your diaper rash cream or applying straight coconut oil is organic virgin coconut oil as it’s pure and hasn’t come into contact with any chemicals. You may find that your local stores only carry particular types, and it’s okay to choose something other than extra virgin organic coconut oil if it’s unavailable or out of your budget.

Step 2: Clean Baby

You’ll want to remove the soiled diaper, and thoroughly clean your baby’s bottom. The wetted down washcloth can help to soothe the area if it’s soft and cold. For newborns, when dealing with meconium, coconut oil can be used to help remove this tar like substance to get the bum completely clean.

Step 3: Air Dry

It may sound like we’ve skipped to the wrong instructions, but this is an important step for your diaper change. You’ll want to help your baby’s bottom air dry. That washable blanket comes into play in this step just in case they decide that they have to go again while the diaper is off. It can be a great idea to keep your baby out of their diaper for as long as possible since this will help the area to get air flow and heal.

Step 4: Application

In this step, you’ll want to get out your coconut oil or diaper rash cream and apply it generously. Any areas that seem reddened, and irritated should be covered. You’ll want to not only get the bum and genitals, but also the leg folds. Not only is this going to help heal the skin that is impacted by the rash, but you’re working to create a barrier between a messy diaper and the skin. A nice thick layer of oil or cream may seem wasteful, but serves a purpose. Keep in mind that some of it will be absorbed by the diaper, but not all of it, so it pays to lather this on thickly.

Step 5: Repeat Often

You’ll want to pay close attention to your baby’s diaper, and as soon as they soil it, repeat this process. You don’t want to wait any longer than necessary to get a fresh diaper on the baby as this vigilance will help to get the diaper rash healed up.

Allergy Note

Allergies are becoming all too common today, so it’s important to note that coconut allergies are rare, but could occur. You’ll want to look for shortness of breath, problems breathing, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and swelling in the face or neck, dizziness, or an increased heartbeat. Seek medical help if you believe an allergic reaction may be occurring with your child, and stop using this product until you know for sure if there’s an allergy to coconut oil or any of the ingredients used in your diaper rash cream.

You want what’s best for your baby, and that means doing your due diligence to find the right products to use. Applying coconut oil for diaper rash may seem like you’re making your baby into a salad dressing, but the antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial properties of this oil make it a natural choice. Create a thick barrier that smells good and helps them to feel better.

Did you enjoy this tutorial? Are you going to start using coconut oil or your own diaper rash cream to conquer the nightmare of a rash that causes your baby pain? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to share it with your friends so that they can start using this remedy as a natural alternative to what’s on the shelf in your local baby department.