Nappy cream: how to correctly use it?​​​

Babies have soft, smooth and delicate skin [1], which is prone to irritation as they need to wear nappies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Therefore, a baby’s bottom is constantly exposed to bacteria-breeding moisture and excrement leading to rashes.

Nappy rash is very common in babies and toddlers. It can be very mild to quite severe, depending on the cause and how it's managed. Nappy rash can appear quite quickly and sometimes for no obvious reason.

Some babies have skin conditions that make them particularly sensitive such as eczema prone skin [2]. It can make nappy rash worse because of abrasions in the skin.

Nappy rash almost always improves with more frequent nappy changing, carefully cleaning the skin, and using a barrier ointment [1]. For this reason, nappy ointment is an essential part of new-born care to both prevent and treat nappy rash.

What is nappy ointment?

Nappy ointment prevents diaper rashes by using the barrier method. It forms a barrier between the skin and the urine and excrement, thus preventing any damage to the skin.

Most nappy creams contain almond oil, dexpanthenol and lanoline. Some also contain zinc oxide. Most nappy ointments creams come in the form of an ointment paste or cream. When buying nappy creams, look for baby products with these ingredients and make sure they are fragrance-free as fragrances tend to irritate a baby's skin [1].

There are several nappy creams on the market that contain chemicals that can damage baby's skin, so avoid buying nappy creams that contain these ingredients.

Nappy ointment: its use

Nappy ointments have essentially two functions:

1. Nappy ointments help prevent diaper rash by forming a barrier between your baby’s skin and potential irritants.
2. They are also used to treat and heal diaper rash. Many nappy creams contain ingredients that soothe the skin, offer a moisture barrier to allow the skin to heal [2].

It is very important to use these ointments correctly to get the most out of them:

For starters, always apply the nappy ointment directly onto dry and clean skin, between every diaper change [1]. It will create a barrier and help protect the skin against rashes. Do not rub or massage the nappy ointment into the skin [2]. Gently apply a thick layer of it.

When should you apply nappy ointment?

With over ten changes a day, nappy changing will soon come as second nature! However, if you notice areas of dryness or irritation, fear not. There’s no need to worry about your changing technique. Whether you’ve gone for the standard disposables or cloth nappies, the friction of a nappy rubbing against your baby’s bottom can show on their delicate skin [2]. At this point, you may be wondering what you can do to keep your baby’s skin silky smooth, soft and nourished from top-to-tiny-toe. This is where nappy ointment comes in.

A baby ointment can be used at every diaper change [2]. Whereas some parents apply it all the time as a preventative measure against diaper rash, others choose to use it only when the baby is showing signs of irritation.

It is important to apply the nappy ointment when the baby has rash, shows signs of redness, irritation and soreness, or the poo is sticky and you do not want it to stick to the skin, when the baby has diarrhoea, when your baby is taking antibiotics causing looser stools or if the baby has sensitive skin and is prone to getting rashes [2].

Nappy ointment can also be used regularly every night especially when babies are sleeping for long stretches. Overnight is the time when their skin has the most exposure to moisture and excrement, so their chance of developing a rash is highest at this time.

How to use nappy ointment ?

There are some simple steps to follow to get the most out of your nappy ointment. Start with a nappy change. Remove your child’s soiled diaper and use a baby wipe [1] or soft towel to clean the baby’s bottom and genital area [2].

Place a fresh diaper under your baby’s bottom so that you can quickly put it on as soon as you have finished applying the nappy ointment. Squeeze a dime-sized amount of ointment from the tube directly onto your finger and apply it to the baby’s bottom. Spread the ointment evenly on the sore buttocks or any areas that appear red and inflamed.

Nappy ointment can also be applied to areas between the butt cheeks, around the anus, in the folds of the labia and around the vagina for girls.

The next step would be to wipe the excess ointment onto the inside of the clean diaper your baby is laying on and clean your fingers with a wipe. Now you can fasten the clean diaper around the baby.

While diaper ointment are safe and widely used by parents worldwide, it is recommended to keep a few things in mind:

When applying nappy ointment, your hands come in contact with faecal bacteria. A good wash with soap will ensures all bacteria are killed.

Nappy ointment are meant to be applied in thin layers, so it is better to use less on a day-to-day basis and increase the thickness when your baby’s bottom needs extra care [1].

You can buy a nappy cream which can be used in other body parts as well. In this way, you can use one product instead of two, for instance for baby bottom as well as for nipples care.

When choosing nappy ointment, make sure that they are clinically proven to be kind and mild to a baby’s sensitive skin, protecting against nappy rash, dermatologically approved & safety tested as well as suitable for use during pregnancy.

Finally, many nappy creams contain potential allergens. If your baby has allergies, be sure to check the packaging or labels for fragrance, preservatives, colorants.

Follow these steps and use the right nappy cream for your baby’s health and well-being and a rash-free bottom.