Homemade Diaper Cream & Diapering Tips!
Since finding out on Facebook that so many of my readers are moms expecting their first child (what’s up with that? Must be something in the water!), I thought a post on diapers, wipes and a homemade diaper cream recipe would be right on time! Feel free to pass this post along to your prego friends if a new baby is not on your agenda anytime soon or ever again (raises both hands).
Let’s chat, I want to know the BEST baby advice you’ve ever received. Can you remember what it was? For me it was about diapering and it came from the best source ever, my grandmother!
I didn’t change my first diaper until I was 27. I had just given birth to my first son Isaac and the nurse said, “He’ll be having his first poop soon which will be very thick and tar-like so be prepared.” That poop came at 2:33 a.m. (yes I write everything down) and let’s just say, I wasn’t prepared… at all. What the…!!
I had so much stuff on that hospital bed trying to figure out what went on first. There were diapers, wipes, baby powder, diaper rash creams, baby bottom balm, vaseline, changing pad and even a peepee teepee (don’t ask because I never used that thing). I’d been given so much baby product advice that I overwhelmed myself with such a simple process.
Thank God for Grandma! She gave me the best advice that day to just, “keep it simple.” She said, “All you need to do is find a good-fitting diaper for that baby, some reliable wipes and use this homemade diaper cream. Give all that other junk away.” Hahaha, she rocks!
6 years and 2 boys later I’ve only used diapers, wipes and her amazing homemade diaper cream for diaper changes. We’ve never even had to deal with diaper rash (fingers crossed), which I think is pretty darn awesome.
So let’s talk about these three items, shall we?
My Diapering Essentials & Tips
Wipes: Wipes will be your best friend for many years to come (just ask any mom). Stock up! Isaac is 6 and I still find myself whipping out Ethan’s baby wipes to clean something off his face, ears or hands while we’re out. It totally annoys him but it’s better than the mama’s spit and thumb technique that I got growing up. I started off by making my own wipes for Isaac and then I went to using washable cloth wipes.
By the time Ethan came along, I switched to Target’s up & up wipes.
These wipes are soft and strong with just the right amount of moisture to get the job done. I seriously hate when wipes are too dry or too wet. They are made with botanic fibers, and since they are hypoallergenic and alcohol-free they can be used on the face as well. Grab your favorite scent or play it safe with no scent at all, which is the one I use. Whatever tickles your fancy.
Grandma’s Homemade Diaper Cream: This diaper cream is everything! It uses only five natural ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, vegetable glycerin and beeswax. You can add a drop of lavender oil for scent if you’d like.
Here’s the recipe:
Homemade Diaper Cream
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup raw shea butter
- 1/4 cup raw cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon pure beeswax I used the pellets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
Instructions
- In a small pot, add Shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and beeswax.
- Melt over low heat.
- Once melted remove from heat and stir in glycerin (and lavender oil if using)
- Use a mixer and beat until creamy.
- Pour into a jar and let cool. Mixture will be thick and creamy.
- Wash pot and beaters immediately.
- To use, spread a thin layer of cream over babies bottom during diaper change.
This homemade diaper cream is pure, simple and effective! The Shea and cocoa butter moisturizes, the beeswax helps create a protective barrier, the glycerin helps bind it all together and the coconut oil provides natural antimicrobial properties. Create a batch and pour it into travel sized containers. The cream is rich, thick and really creamy so a little goes a long way. I applied a thin layer with every diaper change when the boys were little but as they got older I just applied a thick layer at night or whenever I remembered during the day.
Diapers: Finding your favorite diaper (whether it’s cloth or disposable) may take a lil trial and error. I personally think it’s all about the fit. Right now I’m trying out the new Target’s up & up cotton enhanced diapers. They were on sale for $19.99 for 64 size 6 diapers!
So far so good when it comes to absorption. They have soft-stretch on the waist and sides which helps get a good fit. I was drawn to the fact that the core is enhanced with cotton.
Ok so I’m stepping off my mommy-opinion soapbox and inviting you all to step on!
What baby advice has helped you the most? Leave your comment below and automatically be entered for a chance to win one $100 Target GiftCard!
(Oh and I’ll give you a serious side eye if you say “sleep when baby sleeps” because we all know that is rarely possible and I’m pretty sure the woman who thought of that had a nanny! )
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All ingredients are safe. Great recipe.
advise given for potty traning your baby (relax I promise by the time they are in college they will be trained.