Nappy Creams: Sudacrem vs Metanium vs Bepanthen

The age old questions... Which nappy cream is best?

Well hopefully I may be able to help by giving you my opinion of the three above which, in turn, may help you make your own decision as to which to use on your little ones bottom...

I tend to use nappy cream as a preventative barrier rather than as a treatment for actual nappy rash. Although in the not too distant past Lexi did get horrendous nappy rash (caused by something she ate) so I tried out as many creams, lotions and potions as I could find and which the Doctor informed me of. So here is my opinion of the three top ones....

Sudacrem

I have always used Sudacrem as a preventative nappy barrier cream. As my Mum always told me "prevention better than cure" so I have always applied it very liberally to Lexi's bottom to protect her. However, I was unaware that Sudacrem was what the doctor classed as a mild prevention cream rather than a nappy rash treatment cream for actual nappy rash.

Sudacrem is the only one of the three I would describe as a proper "cream". It has a smooth, cool, creamy texture to it. I find it easy to apply liberally as it glides and sticks to skin without smearing around all over the place as it is quite thick and dense. It has a fresh 'baby' smell to it which I find appealing and comes in various sizes including miniature which is perfect for keeping in a changing bag or handbag. The tub is also convenient because it is easy to open and use when you have a wriggling uncooperative baby in front of you trying desperately to avoid you being able to successfully change their nappy! The lid snaps on and off easily and you can get your hand and fingers easily into the tub on the larger version meaning there is no mess or fuss when applying this to your baby. It has many uses including for nappy rash, eczema and bed sores making it a perfect cream to have in the house even when your baby is out of nappies! If looking for fault, the only thing I could possibly say is that Sudacrem does go a little runny when in sunlight or in a changing bag that gets a little warm but I haven't seen that to be a problem it just means that it isn't as dense when warm and therefore you can't apply it quite as liberally - although the excessive amount I lather onto Lexi may be a little too much anyway! ;)

Metanium

Being totally honest, I had never heard of Metanium until Lexi got nappy rash a few months ago. I went to the doctors as the usual nappy cream I used, Sudacrem, didn't seem to be touching it. So the doctor pointed me in the direction of Metanium.

Metanium is a strange "cream"; being more of a thick, gritty paste. It comes in a tube which can be irritating when you are trying to extract the paste from the tube to apply it and trying to get the screw top off whilst containing a squirming baby, but once you get the lid off, it doesn't take too much persuasion to get the paste out and spread onto baby. It has an odd smell to it, kind of a musty chemically smell which isn't unpleasant but isn't a smell I would classify as a 'baby' smell. It spreads easily onto baby's skin and stays where you spread it rather than smearing all over the place and most of it ending up coming off onto the nappy so that was a definite plus. However, the gritty texture is a little off putting as it feels wrong smearing gritty paste onto such delicate new skin but the doctor assured me that it was the best thing for curing the nappy rash quickly. One thing I did find to be mildly irritating was the fact that the brown gritty paste left Lexi's skin slightly stained meaning she looked dirty but wasn't. It also was very difficult to get off when doing a nappy change. Not only did it not rub off with cotton wool and water (as advised to use by the doctor because of her nappy rash) but it was also very stubborn in getting off with Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes too which I found rather irksome to say the least! The only way of truly removing all residue of the paste was to give Lexi a warm bath and wash it off with a mild soap. The main plus for Metanium is that it worked! Lexi's nappy rash was red and angry; after applying Metanium for a few days' worth of nappy changes; gone! I was astonished! I must admit though that after the nappy rash had been treated, I did change straight back to Sudacrem as I was really put off by the texture of the Metanium and the fact that it was so difficult to remove the residue.

Bepanthen

I had never even considered using Bepanthen (for anything other than applying to new tattoos!!) until I was sent a free sample by them in the post. I must say, I am glad they sent me a free sample as I would have been thoroughly disappointed had I paid for it! The "cream" was more of an oily ointment than a cream as such. It was very difficult to apply to Lexi's skin as it doesn't stick, it merely slides around on her skin until it forms a clump of oily mess in one place on her bottom (nowhere near the original site of application!). There is no smell as such that I have noticed with Bepanthen which is an improvement on Metanium! I also found Bepanthen to be quite bad value for money as you have to apply so much to get it evenly spread that it doesn't last very long. It is also more expensive than both the above creams. The worst thing I found with Bepanthen is the tube and lid. The lid is so small that I deem it a high risk choking hazard for a baby. Metanium has a tube and lid but the lid is larger than the Bepanthen tube and therefore the Metanium lid is large enough not to be swallowable as oppose to the Bepanthen small lid. The Bepanthen lid is also very difficult to get on and off when trying to control a baby, and once removed, the tube is so firm that it is almost impossible to remove the ointment from the tube without using both hands (which is impossible with a baby rolling around all over the place!). I didn't find any redeeming feature with Bepanthen and would definitely not use it again.

So my personal verdict....

Sudacrem is a perfect everyday nappy rash prevention cream and I will continue to use it on Lexi daily.

But for more severe nappy rash and for occasional use to treat sore, dry patches; then Metanium, despite its faults, works!

So that is our opinion of nappy creams which are (and are not!) Loved by Lexi