If you have an infant, you’ve probably dealt with diaper rash; it’s so common that Children’s Hospital Los Angeles reports about 33 percent of babies experience this ailment at any given time. And though it’s common, it’s frustrating for both babies and parents.
Diaper rash can range from mild to severe. Fortunately, if it’s mild, you can prevent it from worsening by using a cream that acts as a barrier to friction and moisture. Here are four creams that can soothe your baby’s diaper rash.
1. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is designed and formulated just for babies’ butts. There are three different formulas to choose from: original, maximum strength, and natural formulas. Each one is thick enough to stay in place even if it’s exposed to moisture, but thin enough to spread easily when applied.
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is perfectly safe for infants as it doesn’t contain parabens, preservatives, or dyes. The main ingredient is zinc oxide, which is soothing to the skin. The zinc oxide is blended with other oils and waxes to protect the skin. The natural formula also contains aloe, which has been used to treat minor skin irritation for thousands of years according to Healthfully².
On the Boudreaux³ website, one four-ounce tube costs approximately $7 and can be purchased online or at local pharmacies.
2. Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment uses a combination of petrolatum and zinc oxide to treat diaper rash and protect against moisture. It’s designed for mild to moderate diaper rash, with glycerin and panthenol added to help with healing.
One of the benefits of this ointment is it has several purposes. You can use it anywhere on the body, which makes it convenient to throw into your diaper bag. Spread it on the neck, cheeks and chest to soothe irritation from saliva when your infant is teething. Use it in the winter to heal chapped lips and faces. It doesn’t contain preservatives or fragrances, which makes it an ideal choice for babies with sensitive skin.
Insurance won’t cover this over-the-counter product, but Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment⁴ only costs about $6 or $7 for a 3-ounce tube.
3. Triple Paste
Triple Paste medicated ointment by Summers Laboratories is designed to provide maximum healing while protecting a baby’s sensitive skin. It used to be available by prescription only, but now the compounded formula can be purchased over the counter.
This diaper paste contains zinc, glycerin, petrolatum, corn starch, lanolin, beeswax, and oat kernel extract, which are supposed to be hypoallergenic ingredients. The product contains no preservatives or fragrances. Triple Paste can even be used on open sores. However, the product is so thick that it can be difficult to apply on tender areas. Once you apply it, it should last all day or night.
A two-ounce tube of this diaper rash ointment costs about $7.50 according to Triple Paste’s⁵ website.
4. Baza Antifungal
If your little one’s diaper rash is caused by candida, a type of yeast that can grow on the skin, simply protecting it with a moisture barrier isn’t enough. Baza Antifungal moisture barrier cream contains two percent miconazole nitrate, a medication that combats fungal growth.
This cream also contains skin conditioners to nourish skin. Because it has petrolatum, it might not be compatible with cloth diapers. Also, it’s not specifically made for infants. However, many parents have used it for treating diaper rash and reviewed it as effective.
It’s one of the more expensive diaper rash products and is priced at about $10 for two ounces on the Baza Antifungal⁶ website. Insurance won’t cover this over-the-counter remedy.
Choose the Best Diaper Rash Cream and Soothe Your Newborn
Diaper rash doesn’t have to be a long-term problem for you or your child. With creams like these, you can give your baby relief from this itchy, uncomfortable rash fast. Of course, it’s important to remember that every baby is different. Therefore, you may need to experiment to find a diaper cream that works best for your little one.
Don’t forget to turn to the internet if you need more choices or other diaper rash solutions. You’ll find plenty of options for every budget, and a host of reviews from fellow parents who’ve tried the remedies and creams themselves.
Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least 3 or 4 options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.
