My Frugal Baby Tips: Diaper Rash Help

Image: Unhappy Baby, by Steve Clayton on Freeimages

Coat your baby's bottom with a solid vegetable shortening - or coconut oil; it's a lot cheaper than brand name diaper creams and usually works just as well.

If baby's bottom is particularly sore, spread the shortening/coconut oil (or diaper cream) on the diaper instead of directly on baby's bottom.

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Then fasten the diaper as usual, and the shortening (or diaper cream) will be applied painlessly.

Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Thanks to Cyndi for the coconut oil tip!

Image: Daddy left me alone with the nappy cream, by Hamish Darby on Flickr

Here is my diaper rash recipe - (I use Sweet Almond Oil) - you can use olive oil - but even extra virgin smells to me.

I make it in smaller batches - half the recipe and then I add a tablespoon or so of Lanolin.

Photo credit: Daddy left me alone with the nappy cream, by Hamish Darby

Viva Naturals Sweet Almond Oil

After I made it a few times I got more experimental and less strict about exact ingredients.

However, the lavender oil is a MUST for me.

I use this for everything - chapped lips, skin, elbow, cradle cap. It is similar to Weleda Calendula Cream.

CALENDULA SALVE/DIAPER CREAM
• 2 cups calendula flower

• 1 cup comfrey leaf

• 1 cup chamomile flower

• 1 cup lavender flower

• 1 litre Olive oil (or Sweet Almond Oil)

• Grated beeswax

• (Optional) Essential oil of Lavender

• (Optional) Vitamin E Oil

• (Optional) 1/2 cup marshmallow root

• (Optional) 1/4 cup myrrh gum

• (Optional) 1 cup St. John's wort flower
(it just depends on what you can find!)

Stainless Steel Boiler

1. Combine the herbs and oil in a glass jar. Cover tightly and place in a warm, sunny spot for 2 weeks. Strain through muslin or cheesecloth - squeezing tightly to get all the drops out.

Alternately - combine 1/2 the herbs with oil for 2 weeks/strain - then another half for 2 more weeks in the same oil for a stronger infusion

2. Place mixture in a double boiler and warm for 1 hour over very low heat. Strain.

3. Add 1/4 cup grated beeswax for each cup of oil. Continue to warm until beeswax is melted.

4. Check for desired consistency by placing 1 tablespoon of mixture in the freezer for a few minutes. If too soft, add more beeswax. If too hard, add more oil. (it should be easy to spread on a baby's bum but firm enough to keep its shape)

5. (Optional) Add Vitamin E oil and Lavender essential oil.

6. Store in small jars or tins.

Thanks to LJ Stewart for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Baby E spends the day naked as a jaybird to combat the diaper rash that sprouted suddenly this morning. Photo Credit: Jaybird, by Medigerati on Flickr

When my son had a horrible diaper rash, I would first put a thick layer of diaper cream on his bottom.

I liked to use Triple Paste Medicated Ointment.

Then I would coat it with Vaseline® to keep any further wetness away from his skin, while it healed.

Add a bit of fresh air time on a receiving blanket and waterproof pad.

I would drape a cotton prefold (or you could use a receiving blanket) over his bits, to prevent any sprays!

Worked like a charm!

Thanks to Cathy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I haven't had to try it myself, but a lot of people swear smearing an antacid like Maalox or Mylanta on your baby's diaper-rashed bum will help clear it up.

Image: Mylanta Maximum Strength Antacid | Paraben-Free

It will fight the acidity of urine hurting the rash. It makes sense to me!

Thanks to Jennifer Ward for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Picture Caption: Cashen had a bit of a diaper rash this weekend and was not too happy about it.

Image: Lewis Porad, by Eric Peacock on Flickr

Image: Triple Paste Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash | medicated ointment for diaper rash works quickly to relieve raw irritated skin

Triple Paste diaper ointment

A simple cure for cradle cap.

I found none of the special shampoos were working for us.

Finally what worked was his Triple Paste diaper ointment.

So now his diaper ointment does triple duty!

It works for his diaper rashes, my dry skin, and cradle cap.

Thanks to Paige for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Safety 1st Cradle Cap Brush

GREAT TIP: Try the Safety 1st Cradle Cap Brush
-- features 2-in-1 design to help you gently remove flaking skin from your baby's scalp.

Using this cradle cap brush and comb as directed will help you to gently loosen and remove the flakes from your baby's scalp to alleviate the symptoms.

Image: A closeup of an aloe plant. Photo credit: Sean Okihiro (okimann), on FreeImages

I would like to share one of my ideas for preventing diaper rash and chaffing.

I use Aloe Vera either the fresh plant or the extract bought at the pharmacy or health food store.

It saves money and is a great barrier cream.

It also works great on teething rash around the mouth, as it is not harmful to swallow.

I'm sure it works great on the cuts and scrapes for everyone else in the house gets.

Thanks to Jennifer for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Fruit Of The Earth 100 % Aloe Vera Gel | Forms a Protective Barrier which Helps Retain Moisture and Promotes Healing

Shopping Suggestions:
• Fruit Of The Earth Aloe Vera Gel

• Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel tube

• Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Juice

• Aloe Life Skin Gel

I know this is going to sound absurd - but it really works!

Homemade Diaper Cream

Mix Crisco shortening with corn starch (or even better: Johnson's Baby Powder Pure Cornstarch) to make a paste and apply liberally to baby's bottom.

Image: Crisco All Vegetable Shortening-16 OZ

Crisco shortening

Johnson's Baby
Powder Pure Cornstarch

The shortening provides a barrier to wetness and the cornstarch absorbs any leftover wetness.

Since there are no artificial fragrances or preservatives it is hypo-allergenic as well.

I know it works for my little princess and for the amount of money you would spend on a manufactured diaper cream you can make a whole tub of this!

Thanks to Mrs. Holdridge for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Beeswax coconut oil salve, by Cara Faus on Flickr

You can make this simple, yet effective diaper salve right in your own kitchen!

Ingredients:
• 1 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh herbs
• 1/4 cup of grated beeswax

Suggested wild herbs to gather: cottonwood buds (late-fall or winter), pussy willow bark (early spring), chickweed, yarrow and plantain (look in your garden or lawn!).

Instructions:
Heat 1 cup olive oil and 3/4 cup chopped herbs in a stainless steel, enameled or ceramic pan.

Image: Stakich yellow Beeswax pellets | cosmetic grade, natural yellow, unscented | made from 100% pure Beeswax

Grated Beeswax

Simmer at low for 30 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon occasionally.

This helps to extract the herb essences and keeps it from burning.

Cool slightly, strain out any chunks of herbs remaining.

Return oil to the pan and add 1/4 cup of beeswax pellets.

Stir gently to melt wax (you may need a bit of gentle heat to do this).

Place a drop on a plate and freeze for a few minutes to see if it hardens.

If it doesn't, add more beeswax; if it's too hard to spread on your skin easily, just add a bit more oil.

Store in a jar, labeled with ingredients and date.

Additional Uses: chapped lips and hands, scrapes from fall, minor burns, sunburn and bug bites.

Thanks to Cindy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Wise Woman Herbals | Bottoms Up Balm | Topical Balm

Shopping Suggestions:
• Wise Woman Herbals Bottoms-Up Balm

• DaVinci Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Stakich yellow Beeswax pellets

• All-Purpose Hemp Salve

Boudreaux's Rash Kicking Kit

My grandmother gave me a great tip - to kill yeasty diaper rash.

Burn 1/2 cup flour in a clean frying pan.

White Lily All-Purpose Flour

(Yes, it smells bad)

Store in airtight container.

Put a little on the baby with each change.

I know it sounds strange... but it really works great!

And, since it's probably something you already have in your cupboard, it is almost free!

Thanks to Ruth Liew for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Large Baby, by Marina Thompson on Flickr

With all the talk about which diaper cream to use, I was wondering if anyone has tried to make their own?

I did with my first (wasn't cloth diapering though) and loved it.

Below is the recipe I used from a book called, Natural Beauty at Home.

Image: Earthwise White Beeswax Pellets | 100% pure, refined, and naturally bleached beeswax granules from GreenHealth

100% Beeswax Pellets

Ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp. grated beeswax
• 2 Tbsp. Lanolin
• 1/2 cup almond oil (could use just about any type of skin oil here)
• 2 Tbsp. distilled water
• 2 Tbsp. witch hazel
• 1 pinch borax powder (emulsifier)

Directions:
Combine beeswax and oil in hot water bath (double boiler like set up) and heat until beeswax is melted.

Then add in lanolin, heating until melted. Remove from heat.

In a separate container add distilled water, witch hazel, and borax.

Mix to dissolve borax and heat until just boiling.

The microwave works great for this part.

Slowly pour the water/hazel/borax solution into the heated wax/oil while stirring briskly with a wire whisk until a thick cream starts to form.

Pour quickly into a wide mouth container.

NOTE: this is a VERY thick cream, not pourable at all.
When my son was an infant I didn't add any scents.
As he got older I would add one of the following essential oils: lavender, chamomile, tea tree.
I'll be making a batch of this soon in preparation for the second child.

Thanks to Hope Martin for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Ecofrugal Baby: How To Save 70% Off Baby's First Year, by Laura Cowan (Author). Publisher: lulu.com (September 2, 2010)

It's been a long time coming, but I have started updating the BorntoLove.com website. This past few days, I have been updating the Frugal Baby Tips section:

Here are all of our Frugal Baby Tips articles on Born to Love:

• Frugal Baby Tips Index
• Frugal Diapering
• Frugal Diaper Washing
• Frugal Diaper Rash and Baby Wipe Tips
• Make Your Own Baby Bum Sweaters!
• Let Sleeping Babies Lie - please...
• Frugal Safety Tips
• Frugal Toys and Playthings Tips
• Frugal Baby and Mom Clothing Tips
• Frugal On the Go! Travel Tips
• Frugal Miscellaneous Tips
• Make Your Own Rebozo Sling
• Stacking Tactile Toys and Healing Post-partum Stitches
• Mosquito Bites Relief and Frugal Cloth Menstrual Pads
• Absorbent Cheap Diapers and Protect Your Computer!
• Bedwetter Pants and Soothing Breast Pads
• Breathable Diaper Covers and Reusable Tampons
• Frugal Tips From My Readers!

Come check them out!

Image: The Complete Tightwad Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle, by Amy Dacyczyn (Author). Publisher: Villard; 1 edition (December 15, 1998)

Recommended Reading:
♦ Ecofrugal Baby: How To Save 70% Off Baby's First Year
♦ The Naturally Frugal Baby
♦ How to Save Hundreds of Dollars in Diaper Costs and Have Fun with Your Baby!
♦ Everything You Need To Know About Cloth Diapers
♦ Live Green and Frugal: Make Your Own Cloth Napkins, Wipes, Diapers, Rags and Other Household Items
♦ The Complete Tightwad Gazette

Image: Curly head, by Anita Peppers on MorgueFile

Photo credit: Curly head, by Anita Peppers

Sally says: One more thing on rashes...

My daughter had a rash all the time when she was in disposable diapers.

I would let her sit in a tub of nice warm plain water between every change, and that helped too.

As well as the airing out (which most of you are probably already doing!!)

Carla adds: Pop him in an Aveno bath between removing and replacing the diaper.

It seems excess stomach acid was the culprit, and he needed to have it both removed and soothed each diaper change.

Also her doctor recommended mixing creamy Desitin with Maalox or Mylanta (original), and using it as an acid neutralizer when she had to be out and about, and couldn't do the bath each time.

Seemed to help.

Thanks to Sally and Carla for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo by Shelby947

Thanks to Cindy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

I found this post on 1 Income Living. It gives directions for boiling diapers to help with diaper rash.

If your son's tush is breaking out, your diapers need a boiling.

Take a large canning pot and half fill with hot water, bring it to a boil, and add about 12 to 18 clean diapers depending on size of pot and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Boil diapers about 1/2 hour stirring regularly. You will see scum come out of the diapers from old detergent and such.

Drain well and wash in washer as usual. Dry cloth diapers outside if possible or on high heat in dryer. My son had a sensitive tush and this worked wonders. We did it about once a month or more often if bum was sore. My daughter only had problems with disposable diapers.

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Picture by brendaamanda08

Thanks to Sally for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Whenever my daughter had a diaper rash, I would have her sit in a tub of warm plain water every time I changed her. Then I would apply a diaper cream, and let her go in a diaper with no cover around the house. This always worked within a day.

BUT, if your baby just started solids, it could be a reaction to some food
and unless you stop that particular food, the rash may not go away. I would
either switch foods, go to plain rice cereal, or stop until the rash goes
away, hopefully in a day or so.

Good luck -- I hate seeing those little red buns!!

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Thanks to Lauren for this Frugal Baby Tip!

We struggled with thrush for Katie's first three months of life. I was resolved to use all-natural remedies rather than put an over-the-counter or prescription cream on my tiny baby's vulnerable skin, or in her mouth!

Plus the antifungals in those creams may simply breed resistant yeast rather than bringing the body back into balance. Just my .02.

But for those who are interested, we used:

• scrupulous hygiene when nursing or changing dipes to avoid spreading yeast

• acidophilus culture, liquid, applied on the skin & rubbed around the inside of the mouth & on nipples

• Pau d'arco herb, taken internally by me in teas and capsules (this is what finally got rid of it)

• mild vinegar rinse after diaper changes (*very* dilute!)

Once the yeast took up residence in *me* (after we got rid of them on Katie!!) I used several remedies in Rosemary Gladstar's "Herbal Healing for Women" book with success. Now they have been gone for 6 months.

Hope this helps someone! Not that using Lotrimin is necessarily bad (& milder than the prescrip stuff for sure), I just wanted to present the methods we used with success. My family doc encouraged me *not* to use the prescrip stuff as with a newborn babe as it is harsh, and (according to doc) yeast overgrowth is not a serious problem, more of a nuisance (but a big nuisance!!)

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Thanks to Catherine for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Coat your baby's bottom with a solid vegetable shortening; it's a lot cheaper than brand name diaper creams and usually works just as well. If baby's bottom is particularly sore, spread on diaper instead of on baby's bottom. Then fasten diaper as usual, and shortening or cream will be applied painlessly.