“Can you use baby powder with cloth diapers?” Parents often ask this question. The answer to this question is challenging to clarify. Baby powder is used to absorb moisture in disposable diapers because the waterproof layer does not allow moisture through.
A cloth diaper is more breathable, but the baby can still sweat because it is thick enough. In that case, should I use baby powder for my baby? This article will clarify the answer to this question for you.
Can You Use Baby Powder With Cloth Diapers?
Baby powder is a safe and effective way to keep newborns dry during diaper changes. The main purpose of using baby powder is to absorb sweat caused by excessive body heat. It helps to keep your baby's skin dry and prevents chafing, itchy skin, and rashes.
The question of whether you can use baby powder with cloth diapers is a common one for new parents. And the answer is yes; it helps absorb moisture, so you won't have to worry about leaky disposable diapers.
A variety of baby powders are available on the market. The most important thing for parents to remember is that all products containing talc or cornstarch have been linked with diaper rash in infants.
However, not all talc-based products cause diaper rash, nor do all cornstarch-based products cause diaper rash.
Before purchasing any product containing these ingredients, parents need to pay attention to the condition of the baby's skin and then check with their pediatrician or dermatologist first to ensure it won't cause an allergic reaction when used on your child's skin.
Is Baby Powder Safe For Cloth Diapers?
It's safe to use baby powder with cloth diapers. However, it's important to note that talc-based powder can irritate the skin, especially in babies wearing disposable diapers.
Talcum powder contains talc and has a high risk of carcinogenicity at high doses (see the section on talc). The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified this substance as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).
Talc particles have been shown in laboratory experiments to cause rat lung tumors. However, these studies were conducted under artificial conditions and did not necessarily apply to real-world exposures.
So even if you use cloth diapers or disposable diapers, this powder will still come into contact with your baby's skin and may have a risk of affecting your baby.
The most important thing is that this powder is not soluble in water, so if you accidentally open the box and blow it around, the baby can inhale it and affect the baby's lungs.
Can I Use Cornstarch Baby Powder With Cloth Diapers?
In general, cornstarch baby powder is potentially safer than baby powder from talc. Cornstarch is an ingredient in many diaper creams and ointments, but it's not used as a diapering powder because it doesn't absorb moisture like talc.
However, if your baby has a diaper rash caused by yeast, then the cornstarch will worsen the situation because the yeast will grow in the cornstarch.
If you're using cloth diapers with a waterproof cover, then you should be fine using any kind of baby powder on top of them because it won't be absorbed into the cover itself.
If you're using another type of diaper without a waterproof cover, then you should keep in mind that talc may not be safe for babies younger than 3 months old due to inhalation concerns—so don't use it in those situations either!
What Should You Not Use With Cloth Diapers?
Cloth diapers must be absorbent, meaning they should hold on to a lot of liquid without leaking. The cloth diapers need to be absorbent because they’re made of cotton, meaning they should hold on to a lot of liquid without leaking.
You must use products designed specifically for cloth diapers to keep them absorbent.
And when it comes to baby powder products, they need ingredients utterly soluble in water to avoid having substances stick to clothes.
If you use baby powder with your cloth diapers, the powder can cause build-up on the fabric, creating a rash for your baby. The same goes for cornstarch and other products that contain corn starch.
My top recommendations for organic baby powder are Burt's Bees Baby Dusting Powder and Little Twig Baby Powder. They are natural plant-derived formulas, talc-free & fragrance-free.
And you should also check out my top choice of cloth diaper-friendly brands, including Bambo Nature and Naturally Nature, which both have no dye or fragrance added and are completely soluble in water.
Those good points make them ideal for cloth diapers and other sensitive skin types. Ask your pediatrician for advice if you have any doubt about what kind of diaper rash products you should use with cloth diapers.
In general, cloth diapers are excellent. They are a lot more environmentally friendly and more affordable than disposables. But they do require some extra care to keep them clean and dry.
What Can I Use For Diaper Rash With Cloth Diapers?
If you’re using cloth diapers, you probably already know that keeping the baby's bottom dry is the best way to prevent diaper rash.
Baby powder is one of the best home remedies for preventing diaper rash. Baby powder absorbs moisture and helps dry your baby’s skin to prevent diaper rash and irritation.
But what can you use for diaper rash with cloth diapers? If a baby has a diaper rash, it's essential to clear it up immediately.
The best way to do that is with a medicated ointment or cream. Many kinds of lotions and creams are on the market for diaper rash, but many contain ingredients that aren’t safe for cloth diapers.
It's essential to choose a product specifically made for babies with sensitive skin or one that doesn't contain any oils or petroleum-based ingredients, such as Aleva Naturals Soothing Diaper Cream or Honest Company Organic Healing Balm.
You can read more about diaper rash creams here: (https://mommyinstinct.com/best-cloth-diaper-rash-creams/)
A note worth considering here is diaper cream can create a barrier that isn't always compatible with cloth diapers. Because of some ingredients in the cream, it is hard to wash off the barrier.
Eventually, the jelly will build up in diapers, and they will repel liquid just as intended. Unfortunately, diapers lose their effectiveness when repelling moisture instead of absorbing urine.
Conclusion
Overall, it doesn't appear that either cornstarch or baby powder is harmful to cloth diapers when used according to package directions. However, if you’re looking for a safer alternative to baby powder, try cornstarch.
It works just as well, but it's free of perfumes and other chemicals that might irritate your baby's skin. In the end, it all comes down to using discretion and common sense–but likely, we can all agree that the most important thing is being devoted to our little bundles of joys and keeping them happy, healthy, and safe.
I hope you now have everything you need to answer the question: "Can you use baby powder with cloth diapers?"