Many parents notice that their baby gets a red bottom and develops rashes and eczema from disposable nappies. For many, these problems can lessen when they switch to cloth nappies. Cloth nappies can be a solution for some, but even babies who use cloth nappies can get a red bottom. Fortunately, there are several ways to both prevent and treat nappy rash, even in babies using cloth nappies.

Moisture problems when the baby gets a red bottom

Some children, particularly those with sensitive skin, react to wetness. Some notice no difference, while others become irritated by having a damp nappy. stay-dry layer can help by wicking moisture away from the skin and providing a drier feeling. Green Poppy’s pocket nappies already have a built-in dry layer, but you can also add loose insert inserts with a dry layer to existing nappies to see if it makes any difference.

Materials that cause a baby's bottom to become red

Certain children react to specific materials. Some experience irritation from natural materials like cotton or wool, while others become sensitive to synthetic fibres such as fleece. To find out what works best, you can try using only nappies made from either natural or synthetic fibres for a period. By being consistent, it will be easier to see which material suits your child best.

Washing routine

Detergent residue
If the nappies are not rinsed properly, detergent residue can remain in the fabric and irritate the skin. Use slightly less detergent than recommended on the packaging and consider adding an extra rinse cycle to the washing machine. To check if the nappies contain detergent residue, look at the water at the end of the rinse cycle – if it foams, another rinse is necessary.

Insufficient cleaning
Sometimes dirt gets trapped in the nappies despite washing. Bamboo and hemp nappies absorb a lot of liquid, but can be harder to get completely clean, especially when washed on gentler eco-cycle programmes. If the nappies still smell or feel unclean, an extra wash may be needed. You should also increase the spin speed on your washing machine to remove as much dirt as possible.

For a more in-depth look at laundry routines – Read more here.

Apply Ointments

If your child’s skin becomes red, this may be due to temporary irritation. Applying a mild ointment may help, but bear in mind that some ointments can block the inlägg and impair their ability to absorb. Use bamboo paper as a barrier between the ointment and the nappy to avoid this. If ointment gets on the inlägg, wash it off with a little washing-up liquid before washing the nappy as usual in the machine. This will dissolve the ointment so that the inlägg does not become clogged by it.

YouTube channel

Still unsure about how cloth nappies work? Feel free to take a look at our YouTube series where we go into depth about how cloth nappies work! You can also find short tips and clips on our Social media.