Earth Babies Blog

Change the nappy often!

Nappy rash is for the most part as a result of long periods between changing.
When skin is left wet for extended periods, it becomes sensitive and easily irritated or broken from constant friction. A nappy is a warm, moist and isolated environment which is ideal for the formation of micro-organisms (bacteria), if the skin becomes damaged these microbes move in and cause infection.
Abrasion of fabric and wet skin are the most common arguments for using disposables over cloth, however there are support products for cloth nappies to prevent these perceived problems – nappy 1-way liners function in the same manner as a disposable, drawing the urine away from the skin and keeping baby dry.
A basic rule of thumb is to check your babies nappy once an hour – most parents do this naturally without conscious effort – only change when necessary though (this is generally at longer intervals than one hour, but as it is not a controlled routine the gap between changes would differ and checking increases awareness).
Nappies have a saturation point if nappy is not absorbent enough you can add a booster – this should be done to increase absorbency but not to stretch the time between changes.
Nappies containing faeces should be changed immediately.

cover free time

Be conservative when applying barrier cream.

Many mothers smear a thick layer of barrier cream over the babies skin in order to prevent nappy rash. In reality this can actually have the opposite effect as the cream blocks the porous nature of the nappy eliminating its breathable qualities.
If you change the nappy frequently and properly cleanse and dry the skin, barrier cream is not required (skin can be moisturized with pure aqueous cream or a thin layer of light barrier lotion) and the barrier cream only applied – if a rash is noticed – to the affected area!
Use a light bum balm if needed as prevention (we love the Mother Nature Bum Balm) and only apply thicker cream if there is a rash.

Use a nappy liner.

When using cloth nappies ‘conventionally’ (where you do not change the nappy with each wee), it is advised to use a 1-way liner, which allows the urine through into the absorbent layers but has a dry feel against baby’s skin.
Fleece is ideal for this purpose as it wicks the moisture away from the skin and remain soft and dry feeling against the skin.
Alternatively, you can use of the disposable liners available (choose one with have 1-way qualities).
This ‘dry feel’ means that baby’s skin remains relatively dry and so does not chafe, making for more comfortable extended wear.

nappy free time

Nappy products that are breathable.

A non-porous plastic outer cover prevents air-flow to the skin. This isolates the heat within the nappy, creates a bacteria-incubator (wet & hot) and exacerbates the growth of microbes. As such avoid the common plastic waterproofs and rather spend the little extra on those that are breathable – porous.
• Cloth Nappy covers:
there are various very effective options in nappy covers.
* Breathable & Water-resistant – Fleece and Wool;
* Breathable and Waterproof – PUL, a synthetic laminated fabric which is fully waterproof but porous (commonly used in top-quality waterproof sports wear).

Take preventative steps when washing the nappies.

- Use a mild pure-soap washing powder, not one that contains enzymes (concentrate versions contain enzymes).
- Rinse nappies well to remove all traces of soap, and/or use less powder than recommended (about ½ to 2/3’s) – this is sufficient to clean the nappies.
- Do not use sterilizing solutions or bleach as these are not necessary and residue of these chemicals can damage baby’s’ skin – if you are concerned about sterilizing rather add a drop or two of Tea-tree oil to your soaking / rinsing water as this has antibacterial and antifungal qualities and is gentle on babies skin. There are also some organic nappy soak products on the market.
- Hot wash nappies at 60ºC, this both sterilizes and will dilute the formation of ammonia in nappies (if nappy has a strong smell prior to washing). If you are washing daily a cold wash will suffice however if you are skipping days … the more days the hotter the wash.
- Line dry nappies – the sun also helps in neutralizing any remaining ammonia.

Let babies skin BREATHE.

When changing nappies don’ t hurry to cover them up again, give them a little time for their skin to air-dry.
There is no need to use a cover over the nappy all day, every day – especially around the house – though breathable each layer does make airflow a little limited. Some days just dress her in a nappy and t-shirt for a while when playing.
Let baby play bare-bummed occasionally, the fresh air, sunlight and freedom can only do them good!
Or let them sleep without a nappy in the day (just take care to lay them on a towel or flat nappy to protect the mattress / cushion (a fleece blanket under the towel will act in the same way as a cover protecting the bedding beneath).