A Simple Diaper Change Hack That's Gentler on Baby's Skin

Every parent eventually develops their own diaper changing routine. If you’ve found that your baby is very prone to diaper rash, and you're looking for a simple, gentle, and effective approach to diaper changes, this article is for you!

This article shares a gentle spray bottle approach to diaper changes to minimize irritation and avoid harsh ingredients.

A newborn's skin is still developing its barrier function in the early months of life, and the diaper area faces a unique set of challenges. Prolonged contact with urine and stool raises skin pH, increases moisture, and activates digestive enzymes from stool that can irritate the skin (1). Over time, this combination is what leads to diaper dermatitis, one of the most common skin conditions in babies (1).

The best way to avoid diaper rash is to keep the area clean, along with minimizing friction, avoiding harsh ingredients, and keeping the skin barrier as intact as possible during every single change (2, 3).

To learn more about rashes in babies, read this article: Baby Acne: What It Is, Why It Happens, & How to Care for Your Newborn's Skin

Here's the simple setup. Instead of relying solely on pre-moistened wipes for every change, keep these two things at your changing station:

A spray bottle filled with water, refreshed daily to keep it clean, and a stack of dry wipes or soft washcloths

For messier diaper changes, keep a small bottle of a gentle, fragrance-free baby wash nearby as well.

Here's the step-by-step routine:

1. Spray: Wet baby's bottom directly with the spray bottle to loosen and lift debris before you start wiping. 

2. Wet a wipe: Spray a dry wipe with water as well.

3. Add wash if needed: For a messier change, add a small dollop of gentle baby wash (a pea sized amount) to the damp wipe.

4. Cleanse: Gently wash baby's bottom with the damp wipe.

5. Rinse: Use a second wipe, dampened with water only, to rinse away any remaining residue.

6. Pat dry: Use a dry wipe to gently pat the area dry rather than rubbing.

7. Apply balm if needed: If baby's skin needs extra support, finish with a thin layer of a gentle, plant-powered balm.

This DIY Baby Wipes routine leans on a few simple principles that research supports for healthy diaper area skin.

Gentle, low-friction cleansing: Spraying water first means less dragging and rubbing on delicate skin to remove stool, which reduces friction-related irritation (3).

A rinse step: Rinsing after cleansing with soap or baby wash helps remove residue that could otherwise sit on the skin and contribute to irritation, supporting a more balanced skin pH (1, 2).

Thorough but gentle drying: Patting rather than rubbing dry helps protect the skin's surface, which is especially important given how thin and developing newborn skin is.

A barrier step when needed: Finishing with a gentle balm on irritated or vulnerable skin helps create a protective layer between the skin and the next diaper change, which research supports as a meaningful part of preventing and managing diaper dermatitis (1, 3).

To learn more about caring for newborn skin, read this article: Baby Skin Care 101

Whatever baby wash and balm you keep at the changing station, look for products that are fragrance free, free from harsh surfactants, and formulated with sensitive newborn skin in mind. 

For messier diaper changes, our Cleanest Care Nourishing Shampoo & Body Wash, formulated to cleanse without stripping the skin barrier, works well as the gentle wash in this routine. And for the final step, our Cleanest Cure Dr. Balm, gentle enough for the diaper area, is a hypoallergenic, plant-powered balm designed to soothe and protect.

A simple spray bottle of water and a stack of dry wipes can make diaper changes gentler and more effective, especially for messier changes. The routine of spraying, washing, rinsing, drying, and applying a protective balm when needed follows the same principles that research supports for healthy diaper area skin: gentle cleansing, minimal friction, restoring skin pH, and protecting the skin barrier (1, 2, 3).

1. Blume-Peytavi U, Hauser M, Lünnemann L, Stamatas GN, Kottner J, Garcia Bartels N. Prevention of diaper dermatitis in infants: a literature review. Pediatr Dermatol. 2014 Jul-Aug;31(4):413-29. doi: 10.1111/pde.12348. PMID: 24890321.
2. Blume-Peytavi U, Kanti V. Prevention and treatment of diaper dermatitis. Pediatr Dermatol. 2018 Mar;35 Suppl 1:s19-s23. doi: 10.1111/pde.13495. PMID: 29596731.
3. Burdall O, Willgress L, Goad N. Neonatal skin care: developments in care to maintain neonatal barrier function and prevention of diaper dermatitis. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019 Jan;36(1):31-35. doi: 10.1111/pde.13714. PMID: 30506880.