When my daughter developed a stubborn sore patch near her nappy line, I reached straight for our BUM + BODY BALM. It’s rich, protective, and helped calm her skin while keeping moisture and bacteria out.
But this time, I could tell her skin needed something more.
Even the most nourishing balm can only do so much when it’s immediately covered by a nappy. That little area needed air—a chance to breathe, dry out, and reset.
So we tried nappy-free time.
Let’s just say… it didn’t exactly go smoothly at first. But within a few days, the difference was clear. Her skin began to heal fully—and she clearly loved the freedom, too.
Since then, nappy-free time has become part of our rhythm—not just when there’s a rash, but as a gentle daily habit to help prevent it in the first place.
In this guide, I’ll share what I’ve learned about making it work—whether you’ve got a curled-up newborn, a wriggly baby, or a full-on toddler. No pressure, no perfect setup—just small, real-life ways to help your baby’s skin stay calm and happy.
Why Nappy Free Time Helps with Nappy Rash
Nappy rash happens when your baby’s skin is irritated by the perfect storm of warmth, moisture, friction, and bacteria. Even the most breathable nappies create a sealed environment—one that’s naturally prone to trapping all of those irritants in.
That’s where nappy-free time can make a real difference.
Giving your baby time out of a nappy allows their skin to do what it’s designed to do: breathe, dry out, and settle. No constant rubbing, no trapped dampness, no barrier between fresh air and their skin.
It’s not a miracle fix, but it’s a powerful support—especially when you’re already using a nourishing balm to protect and repair the area. The balm helps to lock moisture out; the fresh air helps to clear what’s already there.
Together, they make a gentle, effective team.
Even short bursts of nappy-free time can:
- Reduce redness
- Soothe soreness
- Prevent minor irritation from turning into a full-blown rash
The best part? It’s simple. You don’t need fancy gear or hours of free time. Just a warm room, a soft towel, and a few minutes here and there can go a long way.
Newborns (0–3 Months) — Benefits & How to Make It Work
Newborn skin is brand new. It’s soft, delicate, and still adjusting to life outside the womb. Even when you’re using the gentlest nappies and natural products, that warm, enclosed environment can sometimes lead to redness or irritation.
That’s where nappy-free time can offer gentle relief—and even help prevent nappy rash from taking hold in the first place.
Benefits for Newborns
- Gives ultra-sensitive skin time to breathe
- Helps dry out any early signs of rash
- Encourages natural movement and bonding
- Can be a soothing, skin-to-skin moment with a parent
It doesn’t take much. Just a few minutes of open-air time each day can help your baby’s skin stay balanced and calm.
How to Make It Work
- Choose a warm time of day—after a bath, during a nappy change, or before getting dressed
- Lay a towel or waterproof mat down (we love layering a muslin on top for softness)
- Keep your baby close—maybe rest them on your lap or chest, or on a soft surface near you
- Start with short sessions: 5–10 minutes is plenty
- Stay relaxed—accidents may happen, but it’s all part of the process
Think of it as a gentle reset for their skin—and a quiet moment to slow down together.
Babies (4–12 Months) — Benefits & How to Make It Work
Between four and twelve months, babies are on the move. They’re rolling, crawling, sitting, and doing their best to explore the world—nappy and all.
But all that movement means more rubbing and friction, especially around the nappy line. If there’s any dampness trapped inside, it doesn’t take long for irritation to show up.
This is where regular nappy-free time becomes incredibly helpful—not just as a soothing tool, but as a daily practice to help keep the skin healthy and happy.
Benefits for Babies
- Allows the skin to dry out and calm down
- Reduces friction during active movement
- Creates space for balm to properly absorb
- Encourages body awareness and freedom
This stage is also when teething, weaning, and nap changes can affect digestion—and in turn, nappy rash. A little nappy-free time can give the skin a much-needed break during these wobbly patches.
How to Make It Work
- Choose a regular moment that works for you: after breakfast, post-nap, or before bath time
- Set up a “bare bum zone” on the floor with towels, muslins, or a washable play mat
- Offer a favourite toy or board book to keep them busy
- Start with 10–15 minutes, and build up if skin needs extra support
- If you’re using balm, let it absorb for a minute or two before dressing again
It doesn’t have to be picture-perfect. The goal is simply to give the skin a chance to breathe—while your baby enjoys a bit of freedom.
Young Toddlers (12 Months +) — Benefits & How to Make It Work
By the time your little one reaches toddlerhood, life in nappies has become second nature—for both of you. But all that running, climbing, and adventuring means even more friction, sweating, and movement around the nappy area. And with it, the increased risk of redness or rash.
Toddlers are also beginning to develop a sense of control over their bodies, which means nappy-free time can support more than just skin—it can support confidence, too.
Benefits for Toddlers
- Eases friction on active, mobile skin
- Supports early potty awareness and body connection
- Gives rash-prone areas space to breathe and dry out
- Helps make nappy-free time a natural, pressure-free part of their day
At this age, rashes often come and go quickly—flaring up during teething, illness, or changes in diet. Having nappy-free time built into your rhythm makes it easier to give skin what it needs early on.
How to Make It Work
- If there’s a rash: start with some open-air time first, then apply balm before putting the nappy back on
- Create a simple “bare bum play station” on the floor using a waterproof sheet and a few towels, plus a basket of toys or books
- Make it part of your morning rhythm: remove the night nappy, pop them on their mat, and let them play while you get dressed
- If you have access to a garden, it’s even easier—fresh air and grass are your friends, and clean-up is less stressful outdoors
- Keep a potty nearby if they’re showing interest—but no pressure if they’re not
Some toddlers won’t sit still for long, and that’s totally fine. Even a few minutes of open-air time is valuable, and turning it into a habit makes it easier to stick with.
What If It Gets Messy? (And It Will)
Let’s be honest: nappy-free time will get messy. It’s not a matter of if, but when—and that’s completely okay.
We’re not here to sugar-coat it. There will be wees. There might be poos. Things might end up on a towel, the floor, or even your sock. It’s not ideal, but it’s also not the end of the world.
Here’s the good news:
You don’t need to bleach the house or boil wash every towel. With a few simple habits, the mess becomes manageable—and won’t add to your already-full plate.
Quick Tips for Managing the Mess
🧼 Towels & Cloths
- Wash any soiled towels at 60°C with your usual detergent—this is enough to kill bacteria without needing harsh chemicals
- Add a splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle to help neutralise smells
- Keep a separate stack of “nappy-free” towels or muslins so you’re not using your nicest ones
🧽 Hard Floors & Surfaces
- Wipe down with hot soapy water first
- Follow with a quick disinfectant wipe or spray (something baby-safe or diluted white vinegar works well)
- Dry with kitchen roll or a clean cloth
🌿 Carpeted Areas
- If anything makes it onto the carpet, blot first with kitchen roll
- Clean with a cloth soaked in warm water and baby-safe detergent, then dab dry
- Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda once dry to help absorb lingering smells, then vacuum
🌤 Outside? Even Better
- If you have a garden, take advantage! A washable picnic blanket or towel on the grass is a perfect low-stress setup
- Hose or rinse down anything washable, and let the sun help do its disinfecting magic
One More Thing: Lower the Pressure
You don’t need a sterilised zone or a perfect plan. Just build it into real life, wipe things down, and move on.
Your baby’s skin gets a break. You get to know you’re doing something good. And the mess? It’s temporary.
Boost the Benefits with the Right Balm
Nappy-free time gives your baby’s skin space to breathe—but pair it with the right balm, and you’ve got a powerful little routine for preventing and soothing irritation.
At Matylda Baby, we made our BUM + BODY BALM to be rich in skin-loving ingredients like grass-fed tallow and calendula. It’s thick enough to protect, gentle enough for daily use, and free from fillers that can clog or irritate delicate skin.
Used alongside nappy-free time, it creates the ideal rhythm:
- Open air gives sore skin a break from moisture and friction.
- Balm creates a breathable barrier once the nappy goes back on, helping to lock out irritants and lock in healing.
Even just 5–10 minutes of bare bum time, followed by a thin layer of balm, can stop the cycle of redness before it turns into a rash.
A few tips for using balm with nappy-free time:
- If your baby has a sore patch: air first, balm after
- Let the balm absorb for a minute before dressing—this helps it stay put and do its job
- A little goes a long way—no need to cake it on
- Use daily, even if the skin looks clear, as a protective step
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s giving your baby’s skin a chance to stay balanced, soothed, and protected—with time-tested tools that actually work.
Conclusion: A Simple Daily Reset
Nappy-free time doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to happen.
A few minutes here and there—paired with a nourishing balm and a bit of floor prep—can go a long way in soothing sore skin and preventing rash before it starts.
It’s not glamorous. It might get messy. But it’s real, it works, and it gives your baby’s skin the break it sometimes quietly asks for.
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