Red, sore and blistery bottoms can be incredibly uncomfortable for little ones and once the dreaded nappy rash appears it can take a while to heal. Teething can cause flare ups and I found my first daughter suffered from it whilst in cloth nappies.

The most used and commonly known nappy cream is Sudocrem which lists liquid parrafin as one of its many ingredients. Liquid parrafin is also used in lanterns and the production of paints, dyes, pigments, wax, polythene, and insecticides and is considered to be a carcinogen or cancer causing agent.

Here’s 5 of the most natural and effective nappy creams available.

1. Weleda’s Calendula Nappy Change Cream (winner of Mother & Baby Magazine Gold Award) is a deep-nourishing and protective barrier cream. It smells amazing and is easy to apply. Weleda are a company with great ethical and environmentally-friendly credentials. The cheapest cream in our 5 at £6.50 for 75ml.

2. Award winning Green People Nappy Cream Baby Balm (2009 Bizzie Baby Award – voted by mums and the TIPS Highly Commended Award – Recommended by Midwives) is a soothing balm which contains Hemp, Chamomile and Calendula known for their calming and healing properties. It’s 100% natural and certified organic by the Organic Food Federation which is reflected in the price at £9.25 for 40ml, however a little goes a long way.

3. Neal’s Yard Baby Barrier Cream made in their eco headquarters physic garden in Dorset using soothing organic Roman chamomile in a base of nourishing organic sunflower oil and antiseptic zinc oxide. It has a creamy texture and smells wonderful. Neal’s Yard was the first company in the UK to sell certified organic essential oils back in 1981. Their products are certified organic by the Soil Association £14.20 for 225g.

4. Bottom Dream is enriched with pure essential oils of organic Chamomile, Lavender, Geranium & Mandarin. Made with vitamin packed vegetable oils & virgin butters to protect your baby’s skin, soothe irritations, heal the skin and prevent further occurrences of nappy rash. It’s  very rich & creamy and extremely versatile. Use it as a nappy balm or moisturise dry patches of skin, soothe dribble rash, heat rash or anything which calls for some TLC. £7.35 for 60ml

5. Midwife tested and AWARD WINNING Alternatestyle Bootiful Bum Balm is hand-made in the UK using the best quality natural ingredients. This is a thick rich and creamy balm made with absolutely 100% pure Botanical oils, Shea butter, Cocoa butter and Castor oil. AlternateStyle source fair-trade raw materials, use certified organic essential oils and recyclable containers. Usually £10 for 100g but is currently on sale for £8.00!

Frequent nappy changing can keep nappy rash at bay but if you’re baby is suffering try leaving nappy off for a while. Letting the air get to it allows the skin to breathe and can speed up the healing.