You can slather on a good coating of zinc oxide cream to help fight off the irritating rash. These ointments have a particularly creamy consistency. They tend to glide on your baby’s skin easily without requiring you to rub the cream into the skin. Depending on which butt paste you purchase, these creams might contain a blend of zinc oxide and other ingredients that increase the barrier between your baby’s skin and his diaper, such as lanolin, beeswax, and/or balsam. Butt pastes were originally developed to heal particularly problematic diaper rashes, and they can be used on a regular basis if needed. Use just a thin layer on the skin, no more than twice a day, and only for a few days if needed. Extended use of hydrocortisone can damage sensitive skin. Cloth diapering parents often prefer lanolin over chemical ingredients. Lanolin may not affect the absorbency of the diaper or damage the waterproof outer layer as much as chemical ingredients can. Creams that contain calendula or red clover are also preferred for use with cloth diapers.
