Grandma El’s is a patented & pediatrician recommended Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention.  According to the Grandma El’s website “Use with each and every diaper change to prevent, protect, and heal.”  Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention is fragrance free ointment and Hypo Allergenic.

Grandma El’s was started with a heart warming story of Jonathan’s father, Robert a skin care specialist and cosmetic chemist.  When Jonathan was a baby his father formulated the ointment for Jonathan’s stubborn diaper rash.  Jonathan’s mom found herself hand delivering Robert’s ointment to friends and neighbors.  In 2005, Jonathan formed the family company naming it Grandma El’s after his mother.

Grandma El’s has been found useful for other ailments as well such as:  Cradle Cap, Chapped Cheeks, Sunburn, Eczema, Dry Nose, and lots more.  If you are looking for a great for a new mom don’t forget to include Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention.  Additionally they have Tear Free Gentle Baby Shampoo, Tear Free Gentle Baby Wash and all can be combined into a gift pack.

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Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention has graciously offered to give one Networking Witches reader some of their Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention.

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Winner Shawna - UnConfirmed

Calendula is truly a God-send. With two active kids and a busy lifestyle I practically use Caledula on a daily basis. Last summer my father tackeled a garbage can on the beach while running for a frisbee and a combination of caledula for the skin abrasions and arinca for the bruising did the trick. Its perfect for diaper rash, cuts, burns…I even have my three year old saying “put some calendula on it mom”. I usually buy the Borion lotion at my local health food store.

Ny Times just ran an article:

The Alternative Medicine Cabinet: Marigolds to Soothe Skin

By ANAHAD O’CONNOR

Have you ever changed a babies diaper who had major diaper rash? It’s like going to war. The thrashing and screaming. “Don’t touch it! No! Not with the wet thing! Oh it burns!” I haven’t heard those words exactly but it’s what I imagine the thrashing and screaming baby is meaning to say. Harper hasn’t had anything to that extreme. She had a yeast rash at the beginning. I was told this was because I had to have the antibiotics during labor. Antibiotics do a great job killing bacteria, too good in fact. Along with killing the bad stuff they also kill the good bacteria which helps keep the yeast in our bodies under control resulting in yeast infections. Google it. This type of “diaper rash” can be a real pain. I have a friend whose son had one which ended up spreading to his brother and yeast infection to her and visiting family and the family they shared a house with. (Side note: the main cause of spreading was washing the infected diapers with the other kids diapers. Washing in really hot water and sunning the diaper would have prevented this. Lesson learned.) Luckily for us Harper’s infection didn’t spread beyond her but it did take a couple of weeks to go away. But once gone, it’s gone. You just have to be persistent with the ointment and changing diapers. Yeast thrives in moist environments.

Fast forward to today, Harper has a proper diaper rash. Red skin with little white bumps that looks a little reptilian. Applesauce has not been nice to her. Too much acidity. After a couple a days of eating applesauce she started having more poopy diapers than normal and developed a rash. (This is why you introduce one food at a time.) So I did what I always do. I googled diaper rash and read a number of peoples thought, ideas, and opinions about the subject. Then I developed my own game plan. Here’s what we did.

First I stopped feeding her applesauce. Smart uh?

Then Harper spent as much time as possible with a bare bottom. Air is the best weapon against diaper rash. Wetness is the enemy. This might sound scary. Baby without a diaper?! I don’t want pee all over my house! Valid concern. There are ways to avoid such things. There are loads of water proof pads out there for changing mats or mattress protectors. You can lay one of those on the floor and baby on top. I used fleece blankets. Fleece isn’t waterproof but it is water repellent and the best part – Breathable! It’s a great fabric. Most likely you have a few fleece blankets already. I have two really nice ones that someone made Harper. They work really well as they are two layers of fabric. These are what Harper slept on when she was sharing a bed with us. They were great to catch any diaper leaks and spit up in the night and they didn’t make her sweat like the waterproof pads.

Harper will only spend a certain amount of time on the floor. When she was sitting in our lap we just kept the fleece blanket under her and her bottom bare but eventually I had to put a diaper on her. This is one area where cloth diapers excel. They are breathable! However most covers are not. And a cloth diaper without a cover is pretty much pointless. So the day after Harper got the rash I made a diaper cover out of fleece. It’s still breathable and you can still tell if it’s wet right away which is a plus. Since it’s just water repellent and not waterproof you have to change it frequently which is necessary to get rid of the rash anyways. If you sew, just google “free fleece soaker pattern” and you’ll find a few. I made a pull up one but you can make one with snaps or aplix out of any diaper cover pattern. You can also buy one.

Diaper rash ointment and cloth diapers do not mix well. The ointment works by blocking wetness from the skin. When the ointment gets on the diaper it makes it repel water instead of soaking it in. Not good. The flushable liners work well as a barrier between ointment and diaper. You just need to fold it in half or double it up since they’re pretty thin. If you don’t have those you can cut up a flannel receiving blanket and place that between baby and diaper. I made some liners out of some extra flannel I had. They’ve work really well for this as well as they kept the newborn poop off the new diapers. I wasn’t taking any chances with staining my beautiful, new diapers.

How ever you decide to fight diaper rash, the key is to keep the bottom dry. Give it air and change those diapers frequently.

Oh my goodness! I was so nervous when the nurse showed me my son’s circumcision and what I had to do to care for it. His wee wee looked so painful. A week later, he gets a diaper rash and thrush. And of course, she gets it too. What did I do wrong? I do change them when they need to be. I don’t let them sit in it too long. Shoot! I wouldn’t want to be sitting in poop and pee.

I was hesitant to call the doctor because I just spoke to her a few days ago for Serenity about her navel. It was bleeding at the site. It was a relief to know that it was normal. So, I called the doctor again and she gave me presciptions for both. I rushed to CVS to fill them and quickly attended to my little munchkins. I was told that Aquaphor works wonders so we’ve been using that in between meds.

Its been a couple days and it seems to be healing. His diaper rash was my biggest concern since he was already raw from the circumcision. I was so scared that I was doing something wrong. But I was doing everything they told me. I feel like a baby encyclopedia from all the books and magazines I read. I guess I need to step back, take a deep breath, and let nature take its course. It is in God’s hands after all. I’m sure He won’t steer me wrong.

I know there will be more moments when I will feel like a bad mommie. But as long as I know that I’m giving 110% and more then I’m doing good. Are there times when you feel like a Bad Mommie or Daddie?

BABY SKIN CARE

Newborn skin is delicate — and so is the baby’s immune system. Chemicals, fragrances, and dyes in clothing, detergents, and baby products can cause newborn skin irritation, dryness, chafing, and rashes. So for 0-12 month’s babies, for any usage consult with your paediatrician.

RESTORE BABY SKIN COLOR

Make a thick paste out of honey, milk powder and lemon juice. Apply this paste on your baby’s body and leave for about twenty minutes. Rinse thoroughly once it is dried. Repeat this daily till you begin to see the change. Use while taking bath.

Peel and shred a raw potato. Use this to rub the exposed part of your baby’s body. This   will give your baby a healthier complexion as it is high in several nutrients. Use while taking bath.

Make a paste out of tomato juice, dried oatmeal and yogurt. This paste acts as a natural scrub and removes impurities off the skin. It also helps reduce any blemishes that are present on the baby’s skin. Use while taking bath.

Turmeric powder, an excellent antiseptic, can also be used to lighten complexion. Make a paste out of gram flour, yogurt and a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Apply this to your baby’s body and rub it of when it dries. Use while taking bath.

Turmeric powder can also be used mixed with lemon juice. Use while taking bath.

You can use fresh ground turmeric mixed with coconut oil. Wait for one hour after applying this.

Try mixing cream of milk powdered kus kus and badam powder and kasturi manjal.

Mix Beet root juice with turmeric powder and apply on her face. This acts as a natural bleach. Use while taking bath.

Take the peel off an orange and dry it in shade for two-three days. Grind it to get a powder. Mix this with a cup of yogurt and apply on the baby’s body. Use while taking bath.

Grate a tomato and rub the pulp all over your baby’s body. This will help remove tan from the sun and also help remove melanin. Use while taking bath.

Grind some mint leaves and apply directly or mixed with curd, to your baby’s face. Use while taking bath.

Gram flour, mixed with raw milk can also be used to lighten your daughter’s complexion. Use while taking bath.

Whenever u gives bath to the kid, add few drops of newly prepared coconut oil in the water. which maintains good moisture and complexion.

U can mix greengram with kasthuri manjal (powders) and use instead of soap.

To increase her complexion use a spoon ful of gramdal paste mixed in Kasturi Manjal and water. Use it instead of soap and give her bath daily.

Good oil massage daily before or after bath! Olive and almond oils are best. Olive oil is known to soften the skin and also give a bright complexion.

Try applying Badam oil which you will get in stores. Which helps to  improve complexion.

Give more fruits to eat not fruit juices.

Encourage her to drink lots of water. The more water she drinks, the more toxins will be flushed out. The body will also remain well hydrated.

Sun tanning: Melanin (the “stuff” that makes you darker) production is activated by sunlight .so take sun care tips.

Check once with your baby skin. If it is suitable only continue that. For 0-12 month babies before apply anything ask your paediatrician. Because babies having different skin type.

BABY SUN CARE

Always protect your child by putting a sun block all over the exposed skin on his body and giving him a hat to wear, which shades his face and neck. Sun block should be at least factor 20 and in a formula which is specially designed for babies and children. While in the sun you should reapply the cream every hour, taking care not to get any in his eyes or mouth. Do not put cream on the palms of his hands or his fingers since he may place these in his mouth and ingest the cream. If you are in the water you should reapply each time you come out, even if you are using a waterproof cream. Creams and lotions are much easier to apply and a lot less messy than oils or sprays. If your baby does get sunburst it is important to treat as soon as possible. Give your baby a cool bath to cool down his skin temperature then after drying apply a cooling after sun gel or lotion. Make sure your baby is drinking plenty of water during hot weather so he does not become dehydrated or suffer from heat stroke. Try to always keep your baby in the shade and out of direct sunlight. While the sun is an important natural source of vitamin D, it can also damage a child’s skin. Shield your baby from direct sunlight by dressing him so he is completely covered and by keeping the stroller hood up. Once your baby is six months old, you should get in the habit of using sunscreen on your child year round, even on overcast days.

Choose a hypoallergenic, PABA-free sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Although it is tempting to make your child wear as little as possible in the summer, if your child is going to be stepping out in the afternoon, let her wear clothing that covers her entire skin. The clothes should be loose fitting, and made from very light fabrics like linen, so your child does not feel warm despite the complete coverage. Avoid stepping out with your baby between 11:30 and 3, when the sun rays are at their strongest. Do you have a garden or an outdoor play area? Make sure the entire area is shaded. If this is not possible, provide shade for a part of the area. Grow trees in your garden, so when your baby is a little older, the trees too can provide shade for your child. There is no evidence so far that sun screen has any harmful effect on a baby’s skin, although there is plenty of evidence as to the damage caused by UV radiation. So apply sunscreen to your baby’s arms and face regularly. It makes sense to first test your baby’s skin with the lotion to make sure your baby’s skin does not react to it. If you feel your baby’s skin is reacting to the sunscreen, try a sunscreen that is suitable for sensitive skin. This should not cause any problems

BABY CRADLE CAP/BABY DANDRUFF 

This is a scalp condition, which tends to appear anytime in the first 10 weeks of your baby’s life. It is characterised by oily, yellow scales on the scalp, forehead, face, eye brows, behind the ears and around the genital area. The cause of this skin infection is not known, but severe dandruff is a prominent symptom. In fact, cradle cap is similar to atopic eczema, but is less itchy and occurs in different areas. It is a harmless condition.

 Remedy

Wash the affected areas daily. Excessive scaling on the scalp can be removed by shampooing regularly. Prevent the build-up of scales by brushing through your baby’s hair with a soft-bristled brush. Applying baby or olive oil to the affected area and leaving it overnight before brushing (Use baby brush or comb) and washing (with baby shampoo) can remove scales. Another one,Apply coconut oil before bath and don’t apply shampoo. Just use water to wash his hair. Application of Shampoos after 3 months baby only.OR Just apply little coconut oil twice a day.If there are white marks on the baby’s head try applying whisked egg white on the baby’s head and wash it immediately with shampoo.(After washing you can use incense stick  Smoke)The next day massage the bay’s head gently using baby oil.Consult your doctor before apply anything. Every child has different skin type.

BABY ATOPIC ECZEMA

It is difficult to identify one main cause of atopic eczema, as allergic reactions or even anxiety can trigger it.  This sort of rash is characterised by pink or red patches, which are dry and scaly. Affected areas include the face, especially the cheeks, and skin creases at the joints like the knees, elbows, ankles, wrists and the upper thighs. Babies with eczema usually suffer from intense itchiness and once they start scratching, the skin becomes red and raw.  The entire rubbing and scratching can lead to a thickening of the skin called lichenification. Should the scratching cause the skin to break, secondary infections may arise. The skin will also feel dry to the touch. The cause can be hereditary and children who suffer from eczema are sometimes found to develop asthma.  Preventive measures can be taken after identifying the root of the problem – whether it’s a reaction to dust mites, certain foods or fabric. If you suspect that certain foods are causing the outbreak, change your baby’s diet after consulting your paediatrician.

Remedy

Trim your child’s fingernails and put on mittens at night to pre-vent further injuries caused by scratching. Avoid extreme heat and cold as it can aggravate the condition. It’s important to keep the skin supple and moist. During baths, add a few drops of bath oil and avoid using alkaline soaps as they have a drying effect. After each bath, apply emollients, e.g. emulsifying lotion or ointment, all over your baby to keep the skin moist. These should be applied frequently to hydrate the skin. Seek your doctor’s advice when choosing an emollient. Mild steroid creams can be used for serious eczema provided a doctor prescribes them and they are used sparingly. Clothes should be washed and rinsed thoroughly as any residual build-up can irritate the skin. Avoid irritating fabrics like wool or nylon. Cotton is best for babies. Clean and dry skin thoroughly. Talk to your paediatrician or health care professional; you may want to try sensitive-skin products especially designed for babies.

BABY HEAT RASH / CHAFING

When the pores of the skin are blocked, heat rash develops. Causes of blockage include poorly ventilated rooms or thick layers of clothing. Products for oily skin can also block the pores.  The rash often appears as small, red bumps in skin folds. It usually affects the cheeks, neck, shoulders, and diaper area. While a common occurrence, heat rash does not pose a major discomfort to babies, and most outbreaks pass quickly. 

Remedy

 Do not overdress your baby; light clothing made of natural fibres is best for the tropical climate.  Ensure the room is properly ventilated and wherever possible, have a through breeze in the room. Wipe away any sweat with a damp cloth and give frequent cool baths to help open the skin pores.  Remove or minimize anything that is tight or rubs against the skin, like rubber pants or straps. Cleanse, rinse and dry skin thoroughly, then apply cornstarch baby powder, lotion or cream

BABY NAPPY RASH / DIAPER RASH

A common problem that arises when a baby’s urine or stool, left too long, comes into contact with the skin. The bacteria in the stool react with urine to produce ammonia, which stings and burns the skin. Some mothers find that their baby develops nappy rash when they are teething.  Symptoms can range from patches of mild redness to inflamed areas covered with tiny spots filled with pus. Areas normally affected are the buttocks, groin area and upper thighs. 

 Remedy

If your baby shows signs of nappy rash, a barrier cream applied between the skin and diaper may help. Change your baby’s diapers frequently, never leaving him in a wet diaper for long periods of time. Let your baby go bare-bottomed as often as possible to help the skin breathe. If you’re using a cloth nappy, have times when you leave the plastic pants off, as the material does not allow the skin to breathe. When washing cloth nappies, rinse them well to avoid any build-up of detergents or fabric conditioners. As a babies’ skin is sensitive to these substances, consider using disposable diapers for a time instead.  Bathe your baby’s bottom frequently and clean the sensitive areas gently with water. It helps to avoid baby wipes containing alcohol as they have a drying effect on the skin. If your baby has a very messy nappy it may be easier to clean him with cotton wool and baby lotion.  The baby’s skin being damp. As you change his nappy dry his bottom with a soft cotton washcloth. Allow your baby to stay without a nappy for a few hours everyday. The baby’s skin reacting to the soap or the wipes you use. It is better to use lukewarm water and cotton wool to clean your baby’s bottom. Using strong detergents to wash cloth nappies. Use detergents that are gentle and rinse off a number of times. You should remove your child diaper and let him stay for a while in a well aired room. Fresh air, and not sunlight, plays a strong part in preventing and curing diaper rash.

 INFANT ACNE:

Pink spots on the face. When infants are born, they still retain their mother’s hormones for a short time and, as a result, infant acne can occur. This usually goes away on its own in the first few weeks. If not, talk to your health care professional.

EXCESS BODY HAIR

Excess body hair is usually related to genetics, since some races are naturally hairier than others, and if one family member tends to be a little hairy then it is more likely that others in the family will be as well.

Adults have two types of hair, vellus and terminal. Vellus hair is soft, fine, colorless and usually short. In children and most women, vellus hairs grow on the face, chest and back and the skin looks almost hairless.

Terminal hairs are the longer coarser hairs which grow on the scalp, pubic and armpit areas in both adult men and women. Facial and body hair in men is mostly of the terminal type. Vellus hair can change to terminal hair under the influence of androgens. These are male hormones which are present in both men and women but in much higher levels in men. Androgens also cause terminal hairs to grow thicker and faster. Female hormones called estrogens and progesterone prevent the effect of androgens to some extent.

Most babies shed the excess hair within the first year. However, it is common to see two or three year olds with fine dark hair on their back, shoulders and arms especially if the child has a dusky complexion. Heredity also plays an important role. If other female members of your family have excess hair, it’s possible that your daughter has inherited the same.

Elders and well-meaning relatives may recommend home remedies such as applying Uptan (a paste of turmeric and gram flour) or a paste of wheat flour and yellow lentils in raw milk and rose water. Although these home remedies are in common practice, there is no scientific evidence to prove they really remove or retard hair growth. It is important to remember that raw milk can carry a host of bacteria and cause infections, such as diarrhoea, E. coli and salmonella. The gram flour or lentil paste is abrasive in nature and may cause skin allergies, rashes or even bruises. Besides, applying the paste and washing it off may be an experience your baby does not enjoy too much.

It is wise to keep a close watch on your baby’s health — especially any changes in hair growth patterns. If the hair gets thicker, longer or darker it could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance and you should see your doctor who may recommend your baby to an endocrinologist or paediatric dermatologist.

Temporary hair removal

•includes waxing, sugaring or plucking the unwanted hairs

 
• Depilating agents are chemical which dissolve the hair shafts on both facial and body hair. Do a skin test first as they can irritate the skin particularly on the face.

 
• Shaving is probably the simplest method as it is painless and can be done by your daughter herself. An electric razor irritates the skin less than a razor blade. 

Bleaching

Although temporary this can be effective at disguising dark hair especially on the face. It should be done professionally for example by a beauty therapist as home bleaching kits can be highly irritant especially to facial skin.

Permanent hair removal

 
Electrolysis is the only way to permanently remove unwanted hair. A mild electric current is sent though a very fine needle is placed next to a hair shaft in the follicle. This permanently kills the hair follicle. Each hair must be treated individually which can make it impractical for large areas of skin such as the legs and arms. Also it is expensive and can be painful especially on the face. If your daughter requires electrolysis her GP may agree to prescribe a local anesthetic cream such as Emla to make her skin numb before treatment.

Before use any method consults your doctor (up to 15 years old kids). Above 15 years you can choose permanent solution.

BABY BATH

Keeping your baby clean will take up a large part of your daily routine. We explain the easiest way to wash your baby. Preparing the bath run about 5 cm or 2 inches of water into the bath. Always put in the cold water before the hot, and test it with your elbow. A pleasantly warm temperature should be around 37°C. You may want to use a bath water thermometer just to be sure. Squeeze a few drops of liquid soap into the bath water and mix it well. The soap is mostly used to clean the baby while bathing. Usually the plain water is enough, but for better cleaning you can use a small amount of soap. Other wise use the mild soap having coconut, palm oil or olive oil. Undress your baby, clean his nappy area and wrap him in a towel. Use moist cotton wool to gently clean his face and ears. Cradle his head in one hand, with his back along your forearm, and tuck his legs under your elbow. Then, lean over the bath and wash his hair, rinsing well and patting dry. Shampoo must be done depending upon the amount of hair and whether it is oily. Babies having thin hair should not be shampooed very often. You can use a mild shampoo in such case. An oil massage can be used as a baby’s skin care method.. An oil massage aids in the development of healthy baby skin. The following precautions need to be kept in mind before you give an oil massage to the baby. Your long nails can also hurt your baby’s skin. Do not wear bracelets while giving an oil massage to the baby

NEW BORN BABY BATH (FIRST SIX WEEKS )

 A sponge bath for newborns may be easier in the first few weeks. Newborns can be washed in a suitable sink or baby bath until they are older and can use an adult bath.

Your newborn baby doesn’t need a bath every day. Topping and tailing simply means washing only the parts of your baby that really needs cleaning like the hands, face, neck and nappy area. It is an excellent alternative to a bath, particularly during the first six weeks. 

1) Start with your baby’s face. Using cotton wool dipped in cooled boiled water, wipe each eye from the inside corner outwards. Use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each wipe. Dry his face gently with a soft face towel.

2) Move on to the ears. Clean only the outside and behind the ears. Use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each ear, and dry with a towel. Never put anything inside the ear to clean them.

3) Next, wipe around the mouth and nose for milk dribble followed by cheeks and forehead and pat dry with a towel.

4) Wipe under the chin and neck creases with fresh moist cotton wool, as sweat, dirt, and milk spills tend to accumulate here and can irritate the skin. Dry well.

5) Continue to wipe under the arms with fresh moist cotton wool, gently pulling the arms up to flatten out the creases. Uncurl your baby’s fists to wash the hands and between fingers. Ensure that these areas are completely dry before moving on.

6) Finally, clean the nappy area using pieces of cotton wool dipped in warm water with baby bath liquid added. Dab dry and apply barrier cream. Put on a clean nappy, and dress your baby in clean clothes.

WASHING A BOY

Never try to push back his foreskin to clean under it – you may hurt him, or damage the foreskin. Wash the whole of the nappy area and dry carefully, particularly the skin creases. By the time your baby boy turns three or four months old, the foreskin will loosen and will be able retract naturally. Your baby’s foreskin does not need any special cleaning. Normal bathing with plain water is the best care. Do not rub a lot of frothy soap around the foreskin as this can get under it and cause irritation. Seek medical advice if you notice pus at the end of the foreskin, if the foreskin balloons out during urination, if the urine flow is weak, or stops and starts, or seems to be painful

WASHING A GIRL

 Remember to always wipe your baby’s bottom from front to back. This minimises the risk of germs spreading from the anus into the vagina and causing infection.

A lot of frothy soap and bubble baths can sometimes irritate the vaginal area and should be avoided. Cleaning well with plain water and gentle drying (dabbing with a soft towel) is best.

BABY BATHING STEPS

Step 1: When you bath your new born baby, start with the Sponge bath until the baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off and the area heals, it is always best to stick to sponge bath with a lukewarm, moistened washcloth. Wash the baby face first and hands frequently and thoroughly clean the baby genital area after each dipper change.

Step 2: When the umbilical cord stump dries up, falls off and the area heals, and you can starts the Tub bath. When you use the tube bath, try to use the kitchen sink or small plastic baby tub because baby is small.
 

Note: Bath isn’t really necessary more than once or twice a week. Also when you bath your baby first time, you may find it a little scary at first, stay calm and maintain a good grip on baby, practice and confident will make you the best mother.
 

Instructions: Baby bath Preparation
 

First, collect all the necessary bath supplies, and lay out a towel, a clean diaper, and cloths.

Second, fill the baby tub with two to three inches of water that feels warm but not hot.
 

Third, undress the baby cloth, if the baby cries thought the first bath leave the dipper first which will give the baby increase sense of security in the water.
 

Forth, using your hand to support the baby neck and head, gradually slip the baby into the tub feet first. Pour cupfuls of bath water over him regularly during the bath so that baby doesn’t get too cold.
 

Fifth, use mild soap and use it sparingly (too much dries out your baby’s skin), as you wash the baby with your hand or a washcloth from top to bottom, front and back.

Wash the baby scalp with a wet cloth. Use moistened cotton balls (no soap) to clean his eyes and face. If dried mucus has collected in the corners of baby’s nostrils or eyes, dab it several times to soften it before you wipe it out. As for baby’s genitals, a routine washing is all that’s needed. Finally, Rinse the baby thoroughly with cupfuls of water and wipe the baby down with a clean washcloth. Then lift baby out of the tub with one hand supporting the neck and head and the other hand supporting the baby bottom, with your fingers around one thigh.Note: Babies are slippery when wet Baby Bath Safety

• When the water is still running, do not leave the baby into a tub, because the water temperature could change or the depth could become too high. 

• A baby can get third-degree burns in less than a minute at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Never leave the baby unsupervised, even for a minute. If the doorbell or phone rings and you feel you must answer it, scoop him up in a towel and take him wih you. Because baby can drown less than an inch of water.

BABY MASSAGE

Baby massage is one of the best ways to bond with your new-born, it calms and appeases him or her. Massage has been shown to help calm colicky babies, assuage wind and other digestive problems. It improves circulation and drainage and stimulates the muscles, cells and skin tissues.

Massaged daily, premature infants develop more rapidly than those who are not massaged. After six weeks, they are more alert and cry less, are more socially and emotionally expressive, and have notably higher levels of serotonin. 

Here is one suggested routine:

 Feet and toes Rub your baby’s ankles and feet, stroking from heel to toe. Then concentrate on each toe individually.

 Legs Work from his or her ankles and calves and stroke up towards his or her knees and thighs. Keep a consistent, gentle pressure as you go along.

 Chest and abdomen Stroke down your baby’s chest, following the delicate curves of his or her ribs. When you reach his or her abdomen, rub in I circular motion, working outwards from the navel.

 Arms Using your fingers and thumbs, apply gentle strokes along his or her arm – starting from his or her shoulder and work down to the fingertips.

 Neck and shoulders gently massage your baby’s neck from his or her cars to his or her shoulders and from his or her chin to his or her chest. Then stroke his or her shoulders from his or her neck outwards.

 Head Lightly massage the crown of his or her head using circular strokes. Then stroke down the sides of his or her face. Gently massage his or her forehead, working from the centre out and moving over the eyebrows and cheeks to finish around his or her ears. End your massage with some long, light strokes running the whole length of the front of your baby’s body.

OIL MASSAGE 

You need a small bowl of sweet almond or apricot oil. You can also add 2-3 drops of essential oils, which are safe for babies, if you like. The three main types of oil to choose from are chamomile1, mandarin2 and lavender3 as they are generally safe and gentle on the baby’s skin. The following preparation methods are recommended:

1-12 months

• 1 drop of lavender diluted in a tablespoon (20ml) of sweet almond oil-soothes and promotes sleep.

• 1 drop of roman chamomile diluted in a tablespoon of sweet almond oil-useful for combating colic, wind and nappy rash.

• 1 drop of mandarin diluted in a tablespoon of sweet almond oil-aids digestion.

 12 months and older  

• Use 2 drops of roman chamomile, mandarin or lavender in one tablespoon of sweet almond oil. The benefits are the same as mentioned above but the amount being used is increased, as your baby grows bigger.

Check for sensitivity by rubbing a tiny amount of the blend onto his or her skin. Leave on for 30 minutes and check to see if there is any reaction. Clean off hands with tissue or wet wipes to avoid him or her ingesting the oil. Do the same for your baby’s toes. Plant-derived base oils like grapeseed, sweet almond or coconut oil are the most suitable for baby massage. Many commercial baby oils are mineral oils which are not easily absorbed by the skin and tend to block the pores, whereas organic oils allow the skin to breathe. Perfumed products and essential oils should not be used on young babies.  Ensure that you and your baby are relaxed and can remain undisturbed for about 15 minutes set the mood; play gentle music. Remove your jewellery and watch to prevent scratching your baby. Fingernails should also be kept cut short. Keep your movements gentle. Do not apply force as his or her muscles comprise only a quarter of his or her total weight and using intense pressure could cause bruising.

 Warm your hands by rubbing them together before touching your baby. Pour the oil into an open bowl or container so that you don’t have to worry about lids during the massage. You can then easily dip the fingers of one hand into the bowl while your other hand maintains contact with your baby. Do not pour oil directly onto your baby’s skin. It is best to massage your baby when he or she is naked especially after bathing, and on the floor on top of a towel or changing mat if the floor is not carpeted. If you have long hair, tie it up neatly so that it will not fall onto your baby’s body.  Keep the sessions short, usually 15-20 minutes for a full massage. Do not massage baby after his or her feeding. Dont wake up the baby for a massage.Do not massage a newborn infant at bath time as this can be over-stimulating.

 BABY CARE PRODUCTS

Use baby oil such as the BABY OIL that moisturises your baby’s.

Bathe your baby with a mild pH-balanced baby cleanser such as  BABY TOP-TO-TOE WASH the only baby cleanser designed for delicate newborn skin and hair, making cleaning your baby easy and fun. You may also prefer to apply the Baby Wash on a soft face towel and then apply it gently to your baby’s skin. In the winters younger babies may be bathed 2-3 times a week. In the hot summer months a daily bath may be exactly what your baby needs to keep cool and clean in the heat.

SHAMPOO must be done depending upon the amount of hair and whether it is oily. Babies having thin hair should not be shampooed very often. You can use a mild shampoo in such case

To moisturise your baby use BABY LOTION. For dry skin, in the winter or in dry climates, you may wish to massage your baby with baby oil such as BABY OIL before the bath and with BABY LOTION afterwards.

 If you are using a baby powder such as BABY POWDER, apply it gently with a soft puff rather than sprinkling it on. Put powder under legs this will protect your baby nappy rashes.

Change diapers or nappies frequently. A protective diaper cream will protect your baby against diaper rash, by creating a barrier against wetness.

Babies under 6 months of age should spend some time in the sun, preferably in the early morning hours, rather than the mid-day sun. You could ask your paediatrician to recommend an appropriate sun screen for your baby.

Babies and children over 6 months of age should wear a broad-spectrum SUNSCREEN LOTION that provides UVA and UVB protection and has an SPF of 15 or more. Protective clothing that allows the skin to breathe, hat and sunglasses are also recommended when your baby or child is out in the sun.

Baby Feeding – Breast Milk & Baby Health

Breast Feeding Baby

Breast milk is recognized as the best source of nutrition for babies. Breast milk is higher in protein, chloride, calcium, sodium, iron and nitrogen. Human milk provides all the protein, sugar, fat, vitamins and specials benefits that babies need to be healthy because human milk contains protective substances that are not found in formula milk, these protective substances helps to protect babies against certain diseases and infections. Babies don’t have allergies to the milk produce by their mother as they do react to something the mother eats. This problem could be eliminating if the mother remove that particular foods from her diets. For example, smoking can cause vomiting and diarrhea, breast feeding mothers should not smoke.

Types of breast milk:

Fore-milk:

It comes from the duct just behind the nipple which is watery and satisfy baby’s thirst, low in fat.

 Hind-milk:

It is produced later in response to sucking which is richer in calories and higher in fat.

How it is produced?

During pregnancy, the pregnant woman body increases the production of a hormone called prolactin that stimulates breasts cells to increase breast milk production. When she start to nurse, the amount of prolactin her body produce also increases. It is worth noting that the breast size does not control the amount of milk produced. The production of milk is controlled by the baby nursing. The more a mother nurse, the more milk her body will produce.

Babies benefits breast feeding in the following ways:

• Breast milk is natural for babies.

• Breast fed infants tends to have a lower rate of ear infections, diarrhea, allergies, and rashes than you give other milk products.

• Breast milk is easier to absorb and digest.

• Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies to fight infections.

• Breast milk doesn’t need to be prepared and is always available at the right temperature.

• It is harder to get milk out of a breast than a bottle so the  babies have to work harder at sucking at the breast which promotes good jaw development.

• A closeness creates a bond between the mother and her baby

Mother benefits by breast feeding:

• Breast feeding burns more calories which will help you to get your pre-pregnancy weight back more quickly.

• It helps the uterus to contract to its regular size more quickly.

• It reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer.

• It builds bone strength to protect against older age bone fractures.

• It delay the return on menstrual period (may help to extends the time frame between pregnancies)

Breast Feeding Disadvantages:

• In early weeks, your nipple may become sore or cracked.

• When your breast is full of milk, it may become hard and painful.

• You must wear clothing that allows you to nurse everywhere and changing your diets to avoid foods that may irritate your baby.

Duration of Breast Feed

Breast feeding benefits both the mother and her babies, it is important to breast feed your baby as long as possible (1 year or even longer). Although 1 year is recommended, some women choose to breast feed for six months. How long you choose is a very individual choice. All women have to keep in mind that some breast milk is better than none at all. When your baby starts to teeth it may be difficult to breast feed. This can be solving by expressing breast milk to give to your baby. Breast milk can be efficiently and effectively

FOOD FOR INCREASE BREAST MILK

• Fruits, buttermilk, Veg or Non-Veg soups instead of taking more solid foods.

• Foods in the form of liquid increases your milk

• Don’t do heavy work because it may cause in lose of calories.

• Have a nap when you get time because lying down and taking rest will boost your milk supply.

• Intake of Palak (in any form-soup,palakdal curry,palak rice,etc)

• Take Badam daily, orange juice

• Avoid eating more oily

BABY FOOD

FOOD FOR JUST BORN BABIES

Breast feeding is the only best and healthy food for your baby.

For the first three months, give only mother’s milk. Don’t waste or leave to give your first milk because for the first few days ,you will produce only yellowish fluid called colostrums which is rich in protein, minerals and low fat. This milk is very important for your baby. Feed your baby whenever it feels hungry.

 FOOD FOR 4-6 MONTHS

 Only the mother’s milk won’t be sufficient after 4 months.

So we can start the liquid foods for baby.

 After the completion of 5 months, we can start 2 meals a day. (Morning and evening)

In-between breast milk.

 FOOD CHOICE

1. Give the Dal water with a pinch of salt. (Cook the Dal (Toor Dal or Moong Dal), strain the water.))

2. Veg soup (give the Veg water(cook and strain water))

3. Sprouts Raagi porridge (mix altogether (sprouted Raagi , Soak for sometime and blend it.Squeeze out the Raagi the milk) ,Nattu(brown) sugar -1/2 tsp and Cow’s milk- ½ cup ),keep on stove and keep on stir in low flame without lumps.

4. Broken rice porridge (Boil ½ cup of water, add 2 tsp of rice(take Broken the rice (kuranai rice) Wash the rice and drain in cloth Keep in air-tight container). cook and mash wellAdd milk, pinch of sugar or salt. Option: can cook the rice with milk.Blend to a form of soup and feed.

5. Pulpy fruits give with a pinch of pepper powder (Any pulpy fruits can be steam cooked(don’t cut and cook)If need peel skin to certain fruits like Apple, Mango. Baby won’t get cold))

6. Nendiram banana-semi cooked and mashed or in the form of porridge. (High protein food) (also Can be steam cook, mash .Add milk and feed.)

7. Wheat porridge. (Wash and Soak 1 tbsp of wheat for sometime.Blend and squeeze out the milk.Add cow’s milk, sugar. Keep on stove in low flame and stir till cooked and gets soup consistency.)

8. Fruit juices with a pinch of pepper and rock salt (for digestion). Orange juice has folic acid which helps in child’s brain development.

9. Milk if u preferred: soak dates or palm sugar candy with milk, strain and feed. (Try to avoid sugar)

10. Spinach soup

FOOD FOR 6-12 MONTHS

We can start 3 meals a day. And breast milk in-between.

FOOD CHOICE

• The same recipes which we follow in 4-6 months can be given in semi solid form with increased qty.

• Plain rice with Dal (Toor Dal cooked-2 tbsp, jeera.pepper,garlic,curryleaves-crushed-1/4 tsp ,hot ghee-1/4 tsp , little salt ,mix all the ingredients together mash the hot rice ,add Dal mixture.)

• Boiled egg

• Banana Nendiram, steam cooked Apple, Dates blend together and feed.

• Veg Soup(Carrot,beans,cauliflower,broccoli(if preferred) Garlic and onion –little Cook altogether .mash it and add little pepper powder and salt.)

HIGHT AND WEIGHT FOR GIRLS AND BOYS

Average Height and Weights for Boys Average Height and Weights for Girls Age Average Height in feet Average Weight in kgs Average Height in feet Average Weight in kgs New born   3.25     1 Month   4.15     2 Months   4.95     3 Months   5.7     4 Months   6.35     5 Months   7     6 Months   7.5     7 Months   8     8 Months   8.5     9 Months   8.9     10 Months   9.2     11 Months   9.55     1 year 2.33 – 2.42 10 2.33 – 2.42 9.87 13 Months   10.1     14 Months   10.35     15 Months   10.55     16 Months   10.75     17 Months   10.95     18 Months   11.15     19 Months   11.35     20 Months   11.5     21 Months   11.7     22 Months   11.85     23 Months   12.05     2 years 2.58 12.88 2.5   3 years 2.75 14.97 2.75 13.97 4 years 3.08 15.88 – 16.78 3.08 15.97 5 years 3.33 18.96 3.33 17.96 6 years 3.5 20.96 3.42 20.96 7 years 3.67 22.95 3.58 22.95 8 years 3.75 25.95 3.75 25.95 9 years 4.08 27.94 3.92 28.94 10 years 4.25 31.93 4.25 31.93 11 years 4.33 34.92 4.33 35.92 12 – 13 years 4.83 – 5.17 38.56 – 45.36 5 – 5.25 43.09 – 47.63 14 – 15 years 5.25 – 5.5 47.09 – 56.7 5.25 – 5.33 47.63 – 52.16 16 – 17 years 5.58 – 5.83 58.97 – 68.04 5.33 52.16 – 54.43 18 – 20 years 5.67 – 5.83 68.04 – 72.57 5.33 56.7 – 58.97

Maya had a pretty wicked diaper rash for the past few days and there was just something different about it. She had these red bumps on her bum and the whole thing was kind of raised up and splotchy, which made me wonder if something besides a plain old diaper rash was developing. Plus, I was using a pretty powerful diaper cream on it that always seems to work, but it was getting worse and worse–very odd. I thought perhaps it could be a fungal infection (don’t ask me why this occurred to me?) so I googled it and saw a picture of a baby’s bottom that looked exactly like Maya’s in this article. So, just to be sure I took her to a nearby walk-in clinic where the doctor confirmed it was, in fact, candida. Strangely, he told me to get canesten cream that is the same strength as the stuff used by adults (1% clotrimazole). I was directed to apply the cream to the rash 2 or 3 times daily for 6 days to clear things up. I got the treatment going today and am already seeing some improvements. Funny because I’d heard of babies getting thrush in their mouths but not on their bottom. I’m glad I managed to sort it out before it got worse, she was already starting to complain when I changed her diaper–poor kid!

Eucerin

 2. Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment: Gets rid of the redness so fast! Boo Boo has been lucky enough not to need this much at all, but when his little tush isn’t lookin’ so sweet, it’s my product of choice. 

Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment

 3. Avalon Organics Shampoo & Body Wash: Gentle, tear-free, organic, and virtually scent-free. I lost my way and got a California Baby wash once; it’s so heavily scented that it makes both of us sneeze.

Avalon Organics Wash

4. Little Noses Saline Spray: You know, for the crusties. Hey, I’m just being real. Nothing says uncool more than snot.

5. Natural good looks and charm. A smile is pretty fly.

So what keeps your pumpkin lookin’ fly?

We’ve had a family week. I took a week’s vacation time to spent with Beth & Laurel — something I’d been planning to do since before she was born. Actually, I’d been planning to save one of my parental leave weeks to take at or around the six month mark, to spend extra time with the various developmental stuff that goes on around now. As it happened, I screwed up the dates on the form and ended up taking all my leave up front, somewhat to the discomfiture of my employer’s HR department. Oh well — I took some vacation time instead.

September/October’s a good time for time off in the city — for those that aren’t accustomed to our weather, the usual June/July/August months are one of San Francisco’s two winters (the other occurs in the more conventional Californian winter period). So if you’re looking for moderate weather and nice sunny days, this is the time for it. Everyone seemed to know it, because half the city seemed also to be on vacation this week. It’s also the trailing edge of Leather Pride Week and the start of the SF Love Fest, both of which raise the number of people found on the streets in unexpected costumes or states of undress above the usual baseline levels. Plus, there are music festivals, street-food events and other frivolity — it’s a good time to live here.

One thing I hadn’t planned on was everyone getting sick — first Laurel & Beth, then myself; probably just a cold, though it made Beth miserable for a week, me lightly symptomatic for days, and Laurel both congested, drippy and with a case of diarrhea which then kicked off an ugly and protracted bout of diaper rash. By the time of Folsom Street Fair, she was sporting angry red swathes all over her nether regions, complete with little dark welts and other unpleasantness. Meanwhile she converted from her usual enthusiasm for diaper changes (during which she can most readily grab her feet) to sobbing dread and screaming disapproval. Plus, owing to the diarrhea, she was getting tons of these occasions, and hating everything about it. If you didn’t catch her in the act of soiling herself she’d let you know seconds later, either because it hurt to poop or because she knew we’d take her in to clean her off, which clearly hurt a lot. Eventually we started doing diaper changes on the floor rather than the changing table, because everything was going to get kicked off the table onto the floor anyway, and that way you could use legs & shoulders to hold her down, or at least keep her in the vicinity.

The standard remedies for diaper rash are cleanliness, air exposure (i.e. diaper-free time), patience and zinc oxide. In addition to the frequent changes, we provided the cleanliness via baths, which went fine and are sufficiently uninteresting as not to be worth going into. Air exposure is another matter when dealing with a diarrhea-afflicted baby capable of moving on their own — I diligently tried it, for a period of about ten minutes, one morning after an especially loud and misery-inducing diaper change. By late afternoon I’d finished washing the ten or twelve different things she managed to poop on, gotten a price quote for rug cleaning exceeding the value of the rug itself, bathed Laurel to deal with her innocent, cheerful willingness to crawl around in whatever happens to be in the way no matter how pathogen-laden, and written off diaper-free time as a remedy suitable for those who live in one-piece fiberglass bathrooms lacking textiles and with an abundance of drains. While we’d started with the typical leftist organic & herbal remedies of calendula creams and balsam pastes, after a few days of screaming and general unpleasantness I’d lost patience with the all-natural approach and opted for the strongest over-the-counter option modern pharmacology had to offer, which worked significantly better. We also shifted her to disposable diapers for a couple days, though motivated less by any faith that they’d help (they didn’t) as by the fact that we’d run out of cloth ones.

Naturally, faced with a baby with an intensely sore butt and a tendency to go apoplectic with fear & pain at any rectal/anal activity (be it solid, liquid or gaseous), plus a partner too sick to leave the house, the obvious recourse is to head off to Folsom Street Fair. Folsom’s a lot of fun, even if it’s being watered down by the relentless flood of heterosexuals who keep showing up to what is basically a five-block S&M party oriented around gay men (and, so a somewhat lesser and historically antecedentory degree, women). Laurel was the youngest postnatal attendee I noticed — the fair doesn’t actually forbid bringing kids, and usually there are one or two each year. It’ll almost certainly be her last for a couple of decades — by next year she’ll recognize too much of what’s going on to let it all slide, but far too little to actually understand. Leatherfolk are, by and large, a warm & accepting group, but I’m too busy preparing toddler-compatible explanations for the laws of thermodynamics to come up with one for why post-operative women are whacking one another with leather paddles on the sidewalk. I’m also unprepared to convincingly and comprehensibly argue that while fellatio is a splendid activity for loving participants, it’s customarily done in private, and cases where grown men are doing it to one another in the middle of a street are the exception, provided for by a lengthy history of psychological probing, self-acceptance, civil rights battles, social adaptation, public adulation and finding someone to hold your beer so you can properly attend to the task.

For those convinced that she’ll be subconsciously scarred anyway, she slept through the entire thing, and had a happy afternoon clambering around on the floor and laps of friends who live just slightly off Folsom St. People react to men carrying babies in slings in various ways — setting indifference aside, I’d say that the most common reactions in normal public settings are endearment, followed by amusement. At Folsom, indifference still predominated, but surprise dominated the remainder, followed by discomfiture, confusion and, rare but still significant, endearment & delight. She got pretty much the usual number of cooings and fawnings-over, despite being, as I say, sound asleep and with a hat over her head (it’s often noted that for some reason, an event where one wears forty pounds of black-tanned leather is nonetheless held outdoors in the sunniest, hottest part of SF’s year).

One group that didn’t react one way or the other to her presence was the people running the Fetish Tots booth, which we spent several minutes giggling over. Despite a strong desire to see a copy of their business plan, I doubt they’ll make it to the 2010 fair, just considering the Venn diagram of their prospective clientele.

Folsom aside, it’s been a fairly domestic week of babyproofing, calls to the pediatrician, a truly absurd number of diaper changes, and playing with the baby. Laurel’s still trying to learn to use her body — she’s been hoisting her (now significantly healed) butt in the air on hands and feet, trying other ways to get around. She’s still not crawling, per se, but scoots around all over. She pulls herself along and grabs at everything by clawing with her fingers, so she breaks her fingernails a lot. She has no interest at all in sitting, although she’ll hold a seated position pretty well if we put her in one. I did get around to the various mom & baby groups — an odd social dynamic being the only man in a group of women whose husbands & partners have all long since gone back to work. I haven’t encountered any unseen or underappreciated developmental milestones — even back at work I’ve been closely enough involved to experience them all — but it’s been a good week regardless.

- Devin

I’ve always wanted to try Rosebud Salve after reading about it at this online Vancouver store called Beauty Mark (a great online shopping spot for stocking stuffers).

Well I finally bought one at Sephora the other day while waiting in line at Sephora. Side note – they’re pretty good at getting you to buy little items while in line at Sephora.

The Rosebud Salve is amazing! It has a floral rose scent which makes it so different from other glosses. My lips feel smooth and have a nice pinky hue to them. It’s also a fairly large tin, which is nice.

The bottom of the tin says that it may help to relieve chapped lips and skin, diaper rash, blemishes,  detergent burns, and rough cuticles and may soften rough hands. Interesting! I’ll have to try it on my cuticles.

I can’t believe it has been around so long, the tin says since 1892. I bought the original, but they have different types and flavours so to speak.

I’m definitely liking this product a lot. My lips are smooth, I don’t get that addictive lips feeling, where your lips automatically get super dry the minute you have no more gloss on. Not with this tin. It’s very nice.

Here is their official website: http://www.rosebudsalve.com/

~Darleya~

It is no secret that I began Natural E GREEN out of frustration at not being able to find “Safe” products at regular store.

My desire to help my children use and learn about safe products led me to researching thousands of products before coming up with the mix I offer now.

While my son is older and not much in need of All Things Jill Baby Bum Balm, my daughter still uses it and I have to say it is my top pick! I have tried all of the products we sell and while I like them all – I LOVE the All Things Jill Baby Bum Balm!

With my daughter’s diaper rash from teething, nothing could ease it away and make her more comfortable. All the balms spread nicely and they all lasted quite a long time since you need very little with each diappy change.

But none of them could calm down the nasty red diappy rash, except for All Things Jill Baby Bum Balm. So this product gets my big thumbs up!

Looking for more “All Things Jill”?

Try the Honey Hand Salve -GREAT for dry chapped hands and anywhere else you need some skin repair! Light scent and spreads easily – you only need a little!

Also – for the guys (and gals can use it too!) Try the OUCH! Shaving Balm! Works great to help heal razor cuts and stop the bleeding!

Visit us online and shop 24/7    365 days a year!

www.NaturalEgreen.ca   or you can go straight to our store: Shop. Natural E GREEN.ca

Wow, Wow, Wow!  My baby who is now 2  has and had sensitive skin. Diaper Rash was a huge problem for us because if her diaper was left on even a second after her going she was going to have a massive rash.  I tried Butt Paste, Deciten, Vaseline, and numerous other brands claiming to have the cure. Nope….I tried Burts baby bees diaper ointment (Thanks Alison!) and now will not recommend anything else.  Besides its wonderful herbal smell from all it’s essential oils for calming the baby skin it really works. Yes like in less than 24 hrs!!!! This is a solid product. Don’t even bother wasting money on the other brands. FYI the Burts Baby Bee lotion and Shampoo/body soap is what I use now too.  I don’t have time for , love that it’s organic and frankly  I have not smelled anything better!    www.burtsbees.com

I have decided to also do Works For Me Wednesday hosted over at We Are THAT Family. I love this because you can get new neat ideas that you may not have thought of from others. I might not do this weekly but I will try.

This weeks Works For Me Wednesday I am going to let you know how I get rid of my sons diaper rash. He has a very sensitive tummy so somethings he eats cause his rash. As he has getting older his tummy seems to be getting better.

Well for his diaper rash when we would first see it start we used Lansinoh wipes. They are made by the same company that makes Lansinoh cream for nursing mothers.

Since they have NO alcohol they do not burn or irritate the rash even more.

Here are a couple of money saving tips:

Target has their own brand. some stores have been about $.75 cheaper than the name brand. If the target brand is out I will buy the Lansinoh brand. The Target ones are already $2.44 for 80 wipes

ALSO

Target baby wipes in the blue package,(now Up & Up brand here) Sensitive I believe, has lanolin in them. I have tried 2 brands of sensitive ones on Munchkin and anything with alcohol she screams the Target ones she likes just as well. Less expensive

So that is what Works For Me!!!!

Parents face many dilemmas – picking a preschool, piano or violin lessons, soccer or baseball…but parents today are faced early on with a difficult choice – cloth or disposable?  I have friends that made the decision to use cloth, but I just jumped in and without much thought started with disposables.  I thought it might be interesting to do some research and share the options.

First priority: Baby’s Health

• One of the pluses of disposables is the ‘wicking’ properties that keep baby’s bottom drier and more comfortable – however any diaper you choose should be changed every 2-3 hours whether it seems wet or not since any wet diaper can cause diaper rash if left unattended.
• The absorbent filler in many disposables has been linked to health problems in mice when exposed at high levels and some children may have an allergic reaction to the filler in disposables.

Convenience

• No doubt disposables are easy to use – one use and you throw them away. They also generally provide better leak protection. One negative to disposables – Some say it’s harder to potty train since the kids don’t feel the moisture.
• There is an additional level of work with cloth diapers – they need to be washed and ‘handled.’  Some daycares and preschools do not allow the use of cloth diapers.

The Environment

• Disposable diapers are bad for the environment; it is estimated that around 5 million tons of untreated waste is deposited into landfills via disposables every year.  For slightly less impact, dump the “organic waste” in the toilet before you throw them in the trash.
• Cloth diapers can lessen the impact on the environment – especially if you choose organic cotton (no chemical spraying.)  Pre-rinse diapers, and then wash in warm, not hot water using non-toxic detergents.

Cost

• Cloth diapers can save you about $700 per child over 2½ years. (I know I spend about $100 a month in disposable diapers.)

Newer Options

• There are now disposables that are non-toxic, containing no dyes or fragrance.
• Some new disposables are corn-based, less harmful to the environment but not as effective for overnight (because they do biodegrade well) and some are made with wood-pulp and natural-blend cotton.
• Various new ‘hybrids’ have cute form fitted covers with Velcro or snap closures with snap in liners that can be washed. Also you can use absorbent biodegradable inserts that can be flushed – the result is minimal laundry and less going to a landfill. (One caution: some waste disposal plants say they do not degrade well, so check with your local waste management district for more information.)

I did find an enormous amount of information about the cloth versus disposable dilemma.  In the end everyone needs to weigh out what works best for their baby, the environment, the associated costs and their personal lifestyle.  I hope this information helps with your decision!  Happy Diapering!

by, Anushruti RK

 If I actually wrote in my blog as much as I think about topics, I’d probably be posting every day if not more than that!  Be that as it may, I just don’t have that much time in my day and find myself wondering where the day went not having accomplished half the things that are on “my list of things to do”.  It seems also, that by the time I actually have time to sit down and actually put these thoughts on paper, or in this case, on the computer, my ideas seem to have flittered away and the once ingenous, scholarly & well worded blog  posts I came up with in the shower are no longer anywhere within my grasp… but lucky for me, that’s why somebody invented post-its!  Now, as if my “to do lists” weren’t piling up here and there, I have that many more little notes left for myself around the house, in the car, & at the bottom of my backpack with tidbits of information that I will at some point put into more organized thoughts. 

Acupuncture & Muscular Dystrophy

There has obviously been a lot on my mind lately, and first on my list of things to share is Muscular Dystrophy.  If you don’t know about this disease it is a devastating Autoimmune disease that attacks the muscles and causes degeneration (the breakdown) of the Skeletal Muscle, and eventually the Smooth Muscle.  There are a couple of reasons I am choosing to bring this up.  One; I recently had an experience with a woman who has Myotonic Dystrophy; a type of Muscular Dystrophy in which the degeneration starts from the finger-tips and toes and eventually makes its way toward the body degenerating everything in its path eventually taking over the smooth muscle of the heart.  It can be treated only by pain management and physical therapy to slow the process, but is otherwise inescapable.  With weekly visits to her Acupuncturist she can decrease her intake of pain meds from 24 IB Profen a day to just 4.  If that’s not proof in the making, then I don’t know what is!  Just imagine how much liver & kidney damage she is saving herself from by just spending 1 hour a week with an Acupuncturist!  Not to mention keeping herself pain free enough to be able to do activity and keep her muscle tone from degenerating too quickly.  Pretty amazing stuff if I do say so myself!  And two; because that day as I was leaving school there on the street, was a group of Portlands’ best Firefighters holding up signs to Fight Muscular Dystrophy.  I considered that a pretty significant sign, that the message was to be spread.

Thoughts on Obama’s Health Care 

Since we’re on the topic of Health, and since my blog is aimed at health and wellness, the second of my thoughts to share are some real facts about Obama’s new health care plan.  Since this has been a topic of hot debate lately, I figured it only fair to share this article and website since I’ve been reading some pretty crazy things from our favorite hockey mom among others.  This site is great for all things politics, its a non-partisan, non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to “reduce the level of deception and confusion in US politics” by monitoring the factual accuracy of what is read, seen and heard.  Check out this article:

Seven Falsehoods About Health Care

On to my next thought; Emu Oil!

  I am not normally one to quickly endorse a product unless I have used it and personally feel that it is useful, healthy and a legit product.  If you’ve read some of my earlier blog posts you would know that I struggle with chronic eczema of the worst kind!  I’ve literally tried everything… maybe not everything, but it sure feels like it.  Anyway, I was at a local Arts Festival in Stanley, Idaho earlier this summer and came across this booth that had all organic skin products.  The reason I stopped was because they had this wonderful bug repellent, all natural and non-toxic that actually smelled good.  As I was walking away I noticed a small sign that said “treats Eczema” and since I’ll try anything (almost) that claims to help with eczema I started asking.  Turns out this Emu Oil is generally awesome!  Aborigines used to use it on the returning warriors after their battles to ease their muscle aches.  It can be used for Arthritis, Diaper rash, Eczema, Psoriasis, Ear Aches, Sports Injuries, Shingles, Diabetes & the list goes on.   Emu Oil is an excellent transdermal carrier, which basically means it is one of the best oils for crossing the skin barrier and “delivering” the essential fats to the skin, muscles and the body.  Over time I have tried numerous different natural oils on my skin, and I can tell you none have ever soaked in quite like it and actually moistened my skin.  On top of it all, it actually did get rid of a spot of stubborn ezcema on my knee; which I can safely say is a first.  I highly recommend it and here is a great website, the company is out of Boise, Idaho and they are clearly very passionate about creating a very quality product; they have great information on their website and a great Organic product.

Emulate Natural Care

And last but not least; Toxic Beds…

 This creates a perfect segue into my last thought to share; toxic beds!  I have recently been doing a little experiment on myself and my skin (my eczema).  The idea came about after a good friend decided to stop sleeping in what she thought to be her toxic bed and started feeling so much better after getting rid of it.  So… I have been avoiding my bed for the past couple of weeks, and three times have found that going back to the bed actually caused a pretty instant reaction.  Though, unfortunately it was consistent for a couple of weeks, I am back at square one, having a reaction even without the bed, I am still quite convinced that beds are toxic and I’m not sure that I’ll ever feel the same about sleeping in one.  There is no way that a bed able to withstand a blow torch of ungodly hot temperatures without even a spark, is even anywhere in the ballpark of being considered “non-toxic”.  It doesn’t stop with the flame retardent either, there is also Boric Acid (Roach Killer), Antimony (resembles Arsenic) and DBDPO (known to cause cancer) in the mattress.  The more I read about it, the more I’m appalled that it is actually in the laws and regulations for mattress companies to have this stuff in their mattresses.  This article has a bunch of crazy facts regarding mattress’ and their chemical contaminants & the  regulations that are in place currently.  It’s mind blowing, and I highly recommend considering your next mattress purchase to be something non-toxic… it could save your life, literally.  Just think how many hours you spend in your bed; resting and recovering, and how many of us suffer from awful sleep, chronic fatigue and general un-ease. 

People For Clean Beds.org

 Hopefully this information will tide you over; there is a little something for everyone in here.  Usually I try to keep my posts pretty simple and short so you don’t get too bored, but hopefully this lengthy post doesn’t deter you from reading the whole piece & actually making it to the end.  There is some pretty valuable information in here that I hope you continue to research and continue to educate yourself about your health! 

Be well!

Sources:  www.epocrates.com Aug, 21st 2009; www.factcheck.org Aug 14th, 2009; www.peopleforcleanbeds.org, Aug 21st, 2009; www.emulateproducts.com, Aug 21st, 2009

By: Charles Richards

Your not a bad mother if your baby ends up with diaper rash, this is a common occurrence and happens to every baby at some point in time. The common reaction especially in new mothers is oh no what have I done, but the truth is babies’ bottoms are very susceptible to rash due to the warm moist environment created by the diaper and this can happen in cloth or disposable diapers.
Causes
Some of the typical causes of rash, besides very sensitive skin are:
• Prolonged exposure to moisture trapped inside a diaper wet with urine or stool.
•Damaged, sensitive skin from a diaper chaffing or rubbing back and forth, which can make the rash more susceptible to a yeast or bacterial infection.
• Antibiotics taken by the baby or the mother when breast feeding, some can cause sensitive skin and typically symptoms subside after the use is ended.
•New diet, as you introduce more foods into your baby’s diet the chances for rash can increase.

Prevention and Treatment
When thinking about ways to prevent or minimize rash on your baby start with the causes then work backwards:
•Keep wet or soiled diapers changed frequently.
•Allow your baby to go without a diaper a couple of times a day, tummy time on a dry towel with a water proof mat underneath is a good time to do this and another good time is just after their bath, pat the area dry and allow him or her some air time without a diaper.
•Avoid using creams with harsh chemicals in the contents and use unscented baby wipes free of alcohol.
•If your baby has been susceptible to diaper rash, use a towel moistened with just clean cool water to clean the sensitive areas, pat dry with a clean soft towel and treat area with 100% pure petroleum jelly or Desitin® before putting on a new diaper.
•For moderate rash – Apply zinc oxide ointment or Acid Mantle® is a name brand ointment that can be applied before or with zinc oxide over it.
•For more severe rashes – Apply Triple Paste® which can be purchased without a prescription but you typically have to ask the pharmacist as they keep it in the pharmacy.
•If you just started a new medication and noticed the symptoms soon after talk to your pediatrician or doctor about stopping or changing the treatment.

Remember the best treatment is prevention and although it’s not always possible to prevent diaper rash you can be proactive by keeping your baby in a clean dry diaper and protecting the skin with petroleum jelly or a diaper rash prevention cream. You should not use powder of any kind as this can cause reparatory problems and is unhealthy for your baby to breathe in, also if you use cloth diapers make sure you soak them for several minutes in boiling water to kill any bacteria and completely dry before using. Avoid the following creams or compounds as they can be harmful: benzoin tincture or any creams that contain camphor,methyl salicylate, phenol, or boric acid.

Author Resource:-> Amanda McClaren is a devoted wife and mother of four who is an author on many topics. She is committed to help overcome the important but sometimes overwhelming role as parents and the many issues that they are faced with. Amanda is also the Accounting Manager for CuddleMeCutie.com – a company offering baby products of all types including strollers, diaper bags, children’s books, crib bedding and baby furniture.

Article From Top Zine Articles

For our summer holiday this year, my husband and I decided to drive (with our seven month old baby girl, Maya) from our home on Vancouver Island to a vacation resort in Columbia Falls, Montana. The plan was to take our time and split the 15-hour long drive (plus a 1.5 hr ferry ride) into three days. Along the way we planned to visit friends and family members who lived in various towns in the interior of British Columbia. Day 1 went well as we hopped on the ferry in the morning and drove to visit friends in Penticton, BC. The trip was about 8 hours, but only about 6 hours of driving and we stopped for the baby quite a bit along the way. We had a great visit with our friends who also have a new baby close to Maya’s age. The one thing I noticed that first night was that Maya’s little bottom was getting pretty raw with diaper rash, but I figured it would heal up in no time, as it usually did.

The next day we had a 7-hour drive ahead of us… with the baby it was more like 10 hours. Our plan was to arrive in Kimberley, BC in time to have dinner with some family members we hadn’t seen in quite some time. During our drive we noticed that Maya kept having bowel movements every couple of hours (very unusual), but because we were driving we didn’t always notice it immediately (although we were checking as often as we could). After about 4 diaper changes Maya became very fussy, we stopped to change her again and found that her little bum was so red and raw that it was actually bleeding! She was screaming in agony as my husband held her writhing body still while I tried to clean her up as gently as I could. Honestly, I’d never seen her in so much pain. Her little fists were clenched and shaking and she was crying intensely with tears streaming down her face. She held her legs stiff and straight in an effort to stop me from getting at the area where she most needed to be cleaned. My poor baby! I was fighting back the tears myself and I didn’t know what to do.

After texting some more experienced family members (who had babies of their own) about our situation, I was advised to go to a park, find some green grass and let Maya roll around naked on the grass. Not only did she love this, but the fresh air helped the situation considerably. We drove the last leg of the trip with the baby fussing quite a bit. We made it to Kimberley where we found she had soiled herself again. We decided to bathe her to get her really clean, but the bath (which she usually loves) was like torture for her little sore little rear end—oh the screams… I felt terrible. In the end, we decided to stay an extra day & night in Kimberley to let the baby have a rest from the driving. We gave her lots of diaper-free time to heal up and recover from the whole situation.

So, why did the rash get so bad in the car? I don’t know for sure why she kept pooping and why her bum was such a mess but I have some theories. One of our cousins told us that one of the times babies are most likely to have a bowel movement is when they are taken out of a car seat. Since we were driving and stopping frequently, we took the baby in and out of the car seat many times throughout the day. I also fed Maya organic baby carrots from a jar. Up to now I had only ever fed her baby food (including carrots) that I had made myself. Even though this pre-made stuff was organic and claimed to be comprised of only organic carrots and water, it seems to be quite acidic and I think it contributed to the pooping & rash problem. Plus, I usually don’t feed her that much solid food, but since we were driving, I was feeding her more in her car seat as we drove. Perhaps the large volume of solid food was a little too much for her system.

There was no way I was going to risk going through the same thing again, so on the way home, we drove to my parents place just outside of Calgary and then my husband drove back home alone while Maya and I decided to travel by air, turning 12 hours of driving into a quick one hour flight—much better!

My goodness, wouldn’t that make for a great band name. “Tonight, on the mainstage, let’s give a hand for Diaper Rash and Teething!” Well, outside of my fantasy-land, it seems that they do often play onstage at the same time. Catchr (my son) has had the perennial Desitin white-ass for about the past 7 months and has been teething off and on throughout. At about 3 months of age, Catchr developed his first case of diaper rash, and it was bad…bad with a capital “B”. My wife and I thought that maybe he had been sitting in a dirty diaper too long through the night (about 6 hours) and pondered waking him up to change him…until we stumbled upon a little known hypothesis. It goes as follows:

During the teething process, children salivate excessively. The extra saliva swallowed by the infant shifts the pH balance of any stool that is produced during this time, subsequently causing irritation when left against the skin. Sara and I have noticed over the past 7-8 months that any time Catchr shows any sign of diaper rash, he also begins to cut new teeth. As such, his little behind is frequently coated with Desitin to alleviate the burning and help heal the area.

We have tried other ointments (from Burt’s Bees and other “natural” brands), but nothing has come close to the quick results we’ve had with regular Desitin (not the extra-creamy, or whatever they call it).

Oh yes, and just to clarify, letting your baby wallow in their own filth for extended periods of time will also cause diaper rash (or so I’ve heard). We change Catchr about every 3 hours…more if need be. He is our FIRST priority, so we make it a point to keep him clean and happy. Also, excessive use of moist wipes can cause the area to become raw…only wipe as much as necessary to clean YOUR baby. Don’t try and wipe the disgusting images from mind’s eye by way of your baby’s bottom.

So, my wife and I decided that we wanted our son’s diapers to have a minimal impact on the environment.  She did a lot of research and decided on Seventh Generation diapers.  That was until we attended a diapering class at the Greenhouse Birth Center (where we delivered our son).  For some reason I thought the class was going to teach me how to properly put diapers on our son and would be a waste of time.  Who couldn’t figure out how to put a diaper on a baby?  It turns out, the class was all about the different types of cloth diapers.  There are pre-folds (what most people would traditionally think of when they think cloth diapers),  fitted, all-in-one, and then the diapers we eventually chose – one-size Bum Genius (and yes, they really are genius).

These one-size cloth diapers are the most amazing undergarment I have ever seen.  First of all, they are adjustable so that they grow with the baby.  They’ve got snaps that either shorten or lengthen the diaper.  Next, they keep him totally dry and free of diaper rash!  The inside is lined in fleece which wicks the moisture away from his tush, and then between the fleece lining and the outer water-proof shell is the pocket where we stuff micro-fiber cloth inserts.  These things (the inserts) absorb all the pee and a lot of the liquidy poop.  When I change his diapers, I just toss the soiled one into a laundry bag, then every other day or so, I haul the bag down stairs to our laundry area and toss them in the machine.  I do have to pull the pee-soaked inserts out, which can be fun considering they’re saturated with pee and sometimes still warm, but they clean up just like new every time.

My only complaint – that they don’t make these fleece lined diapers in adult sizes.  I’ve still got a few years before I loose control of my bladder, so perhaps by then the creators will create a larger size.  I’m telling you, the fleece seems so comfy cozey!

Oh, and if you are considering cloth diapers, we did the math for you…

Cost of the cheapest all-cheapo diapers you can buy in bulk (at a usage rate of 3 daytime hours per diaper for two years): $4,800

Cost of 15 cloth diapers, extra inserts, laundry bag, travel laundry bag, 2 years worth of laundry detergent – $600

So, it may cost $600 upfront – but these diapers will last us through MULTIPLE children!!! The initial savings of $4,200 from the first child can be added to the $4,800 savings for the second child and so on.  If you have 10 children, you may need more than 15 cloth diapers, but you can see the savings add up!  Check them out: http://www.zbeardiapers.com/catalog.htm?category=19

My apologies for those of you who could care less what I eat.

I decided to track my eating for some undetermined length of time, to get a more accurate idea of how I really eat (not just how I think I eat). Keeping track might also make me think a little more wisely when making food decisions.

If you’d like to track your eating, too, please join in.

Otherwise…

1. Amy says: “I don’t like to touch animals that crawl.”
“I do want to watch puppets, though.”

The sentences are unrelated, but struck me with their sophistication.

2. Trying to avoid more diaper rashes occurring, we’ve been having Amy sit on the potty for five minutes before bed. Might have to give up on the idea — she’s resisting. Maybe if we just accept that an hour after bedtime we’ll have to change her diaper again, she’ll eventually come around and want to poop in the potty again.

3. For the last four days I’ve actually gotten up and exercised before breakfast. There’s not really a better time — mid-morning is prime Amy time, nap is prime me time, after nap we’re all too unmotivated, after dinner I want to relax. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to exercise before breakfast — that I’d be too hungry to work that hard. But it’s actually fine. And I even like it. And I have more energy the rest of the day. And I’m not even getting up all that early — I’m already awake because Amy wakes around 7 or 7:30, so I might as well get up. (If you care, I’m doing Pilates Sculpt; the warm-up, one or the other of the standing workouts, and the last three parts. It’s much more sculpt than Pilates, but that’s okay.)

4. Today I dusted and oiled my sewing machine. How pleasant it is to be sewing often enough to need to oil it more than once a year. Unless it’s already been a year. Hmmm. Not sure. This week I’ve fixed a fallen-apart seam in an Amy shirt hem, added two inches of fabric to lengthen one of her skirts (it was crotch length — even with attached shorts underneath I think that’s inappropriate), cut and started stitching some more cloth napkins, attached an applique patch to a friend’s shoe over a hole, started stitching some hat straps for her kid, and cut and pinned some new hems for another friend’s pants.

5. Barter! The pants hemming I’m trading for help making my dress form. I’m excited. Need to get back to cutting the paper tape strips. The other altering, along with some pants tailoring for the friend’s husband, is possibly going towards a used bike from their shop. I like bartering.

Butt Paste rocks! It’s the best stuff in the world for diaper rash. I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s the Peruvian Balsam that does the trick. My mom told me about it when Mae was born. When I read the label I thought it was just like all the other diaper rash remedies – main ingredient: Zinc Oxide. I was wrong. They all are NOT the same. Butt Paste is the shizz. If you have a little one that suffers from diaper rash – give this stuff a try. I guarantee you’ll see a nice smooth butt again in just a day or so. It’s amazing.

I really wish I would have researched the whole diaper thing a bit more than I did. Mae is almost two and we’ve been using disposables. I’m not sure if that was the right move or not. I vaguely remember reading about the big issues – detergents used to clean cloth diapers vs. environmental impact / biodegradability of disposables. I dunno. But what I do know is I have to start thinking about potty training. God, listen to me. Two years ago I was telling my boss that spending millions of dollars to pursue a soon-to-be bankrupt automotive company for business was a complete waste of time, money and resources. Now – I’m devising a diaper exit strategy. Go figure.

I wasn’t involved enough with my first three daughters to draw on any bits of experience, so it’s time for me to research the various potty training methods and figure out which one will work best. At least I don’t have to worry about her hosing down the bathroom floor like I would with a son. Although, she does find it quite amusing to barge in the bathroom while I’m taking a tinkle and stand there and watch. She just stares with a goofy look of bewilderment. (Yes, I know I’m leaving myself open to all sorts of snide comments – but I’m comfortable with my manhood – after all, I did manage to father four daughters!).

I’ll pass along any information I find, and I’m hoping to run into my new friend and fellow stay-at-home dad this week to see if he has any advice. I just remembered — he has a son…