• 30 ml (2 tbsp) of organic mango butter or another vegetable butter
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) of calendula oil macerate or organic olive oil (Check out our article linked above to make your own oil macerate.)
• 5 ml (1 tsp) of raw Quebec beeswax or 2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) of sunflower wax
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) of zinc oxide *
• 5 drops of vitamin E (optional)
• 100 ml amber glass jar

* NOTE: Handle zinc oxide with care and avoid inhaling. The zinc oxide concentration in this recipe is light. For more severe diaper rash, you can double the amount of zinc oxide.

1. In a double boiler, melt the wax in the oil.

2. Once everything has melted, add the vegetable butter (we do it this way to keep the vegetable butter from forming lumps).

3. Remove from heat as soon as the mixture is well melted.

4. Add the zinc oxide and mix vigorously.

5. Add the vitamin E, if desired. Mix again.

6. Pour the mixture into the glass jar and put in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes, uncovered, until it starts to solidify.

7. Mix again to make sure everything is uniform (zinc oxide is heavier than the other ingredients and can settle at the bottom until the butter has solidified).

8. Return to the freezer (still uncovered) for 10 to 15 minutes so the ointment solidifies completely.

Baby bums can get complicated.

First thing to do: minimize moisture and contact with stool and urine by changing the diaper often. Also air out the bottom as often as possible (go, bare bums!). You can use a liniment or our super balm as prevention.

Second thing to do: protect the skin with a product that will act as a barrier to moisture and acidity. And that's where the famous zinc ointment (also called “Ihle paste”) comes in.

Apply as needed to irritated areas or as prevention, at each diaper change.

Cloth diapers: we recommend using washable liners (fleece, for example) to protect the inside of the diapers. The ointment could make them waterproof and therefore less absorbent, but good washable liners will preserve their integrity.

Happy diaper changes, parents! ;)