Diapering Ointment – Two Ways

Diapering Ointment: All natural diapering ointment made with or without zinc oxide

Please note: This post contains an affiliate link. If you choose to purchase a copy of The Handmade Mama through this link, it will not cost you anything extra, but the author will earn a small commission.

I’m thrilled to be sharing a recipe from my latest book with you here on The Natural Beauty Workshop. My new book, The The Handmade Mama, is a collection of recipes and projects meant to support both mama and baby during pregnancy, postpartum, and baby’s first year. The book includes simple sewing projects, wholesome real food recipes, and of course, handmade personal care products for both mothers and infants.

The Handmade Mama is currently available at all major booksellers, and has been receiving wonderful feedback from its readers. The timing of this book’s publication couldn’t have been more perfect. The arrival of my new book was followed just a short while later with the arrival of my second baby, Sidney.

Sidney Lou was born on June 1 and has been keeping her mother awfully busy ever since!

While writing this new book I enjoyed overwhelming support from my work-family at From Nature With Love. FNWL generously supplied everything I needed to formulate my recipes and were by and large my favorite sponsor of The Handmade Mama. Thank you, From Nature With Love, for helping me make by second book a reality!

Now, on to the recipe! The following is an excerpt from The Handmade Mama by Mary Helen Leonard, shared with the permission of Spring House Press, and photography by the incredible Kimberly Davis.

My adorable nephew was one of several baby models who starred in my new book. Look at that smile!

Diapering Ointments

Whether you choose cloth or disposable diapers your little one’s tushy is bound to suffer the occasional rash or irritation. Exposure to constant moisture would leave anyone’s skin feeling crabby, but when the party really gets started down below the combination of substances in baby’s diaper can actually create an acidic environment that can burn baby’s skin!

I’ve seen some pretty gnarly diaper rashes over the years, and one thing that can help both prevent and soothe such rashes is a good diapering ointment. Unlike regular balms and moisturizers that are formulated to sink into the skin quickly, diapering ointment is designed to sit on top of baby’s skin, creating a barrier between the moisture of the diaper and her tender little behind.

Castor oil is a key ingredient here. It’s thick, greasy texture is just right for protecting tiny bottoms from diaper rash. The gentle soothing properties in our Herbal Body Oil adds a little bit of moisturizing and conditioning, and natural wax helps bind everything together.

Zinc oxide can be added to provide extra protection when it’s needed. The inclusion of Zinc will give the ointment a thicker, more opaque quality while reinforcing baby’s delicate skin and hopefully aiding in quick healing and recovery.

I like to keep two jars of diapering ointment on-hand, one with zinc and one without. I usually opt for the zinc ointment if my child already has a rash. For everyday care, I usually choose the zinc-free ointment.

Be sure to look for an uncoated, non-nano zinc oxide powder while shopping for ingredients. The powder should be advertised as having a particle size of at least 0.1 microns (100 nanometers). If the particle size is any smaller it may not be as effective and could potentially be a health concern.

Diapering Ointments

Yield: about 12 ounces (360 ml)

Ingredients

• ½ cup (120 g) cocoa butter
• ½ cup (120 g) shea or mango butter
• ½ cup (60 ml) Herbal Body Oil (recipe in book) or apricot kernel oil
• ¼ cup Castor Oil
• 2 tablespoons ( 15 g) beeswax or candelilla wax
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon (35 ml) zinc oxide powder

Directions

1. Mix the zinc oxide powder, if using, with 2 tablespoons Herbal Body Oil in a small bowl and whisk until the ingredients are well blended. Set aside.
2. Combine the butters, remaining oil, and wax in a double boiler or a crockpot set to low heat. Heat until the ingredients are fully melted.
3. Remove the mixture from the heat, and let it sit for a few moments before carefully pouring about half of the mixture into one heat-proof jar.
4. Mix the reserved oil and zinc mixture with the remaining melted oil and butter mixture. Allow the butter to cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally to disperse the zinc. When it has cooled to the touch and thickened to about the consistency of yogurt, it may be poured into a jar.
5. Allow both jars to cool and harden completely (about 2 hours) before use.

Shelf Life & Stability: Please note that the formulations featured here on The Natural Beauty Workshop have not been challenge tested for stability or shelf life, and may not be suitable for commercial use as-is. For more information on shelf life, stability, and working with preservatives, check out the following article from our Information Library.

Looking for more mom and baby care inspiration? Check out our recipes for Happy Mama Belly Balm and Aloe & Chamomile Baby Powder.

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