Quick, Easy Solutions to Rash-Free Diapering By Susy Goins <....> Preserving the perfection So your baby has a rash What if your angel bum still develops a diaper rash? How radical is this: If you have breast milk handy, apply that to your baby’s bum. My daughter had a rash that cleared up in a day with breast milk. Making your own ointments is easy and not as labor intensive as you might think. Many of the ingredients can be found in better grocery stores or health food stores. This recipe was given to me through an e-mail list by a fabulous toiletry maker by the name of Shucky, aka Sylvia LaReverend: Calendula-Comfrey Diaper Ointment 1 lb. coconut oil (in the oil aisle; do try to buy the organic kind) 2 good handfuls calendula petals (health food section; don’t let the per pound price put you off; the petals are not heavy) Comfrey leaves (don’t use on a pregnant woman) Melt the coconut oil in a stainless steel pan. Add the herbs. Cook the herbs on low heat for about 30 minutes; the petals should be crispy, not burnt. Filter the ointment into jars. Use as needed. Try an oatmeal bath. Grind up oatmeal in your coffee grinder for a pleasant soak in the tub. Another way to get the benefits of oatmeal without the mess is to put some regular oatmeal (not baby oatmeal) in a small cotton bag and let it soak in the tub with your baby. Squeeze water through it every so often. Ointments and balms Try olive oil or shea butter on your baby’s bum. These are thicker emollients. Olive oil is readily available in any store; buy the higher grade virgin oil to get the most benefit. Shea butter can be found in the health food section with other body butters like cocoa and mango. You don’t have to use the zinc oxide ointments on your baby’s bum. Yes, they do create a barrier, but they also dry into a powdery residue and can make cloth diapers smell like fish. Petroleum also makes a good barrier, but it is comedogenic (clogs pores). Natural wipes solutions You can make your own baby wipes to help in your campaign against Ugly Baby Butt, too. A wet cloth is basic -- almost too easy, huh? Here are a few recipes for wipes you can try: Wipies One 3 cups of water 1/8 cup olive oil 4-6 drops tea tree oil 6-8 drops lavender oil Combine these in a sealable container and shake vigorously; add 1 tablespoon of your favorite baby wash or soap, and mix with a spoon until combined. Baby Wipes Solution Add 2 drops of tea tree essential oil or lavender essential oil to 1-2 cups of distilled water. Anti-Fungal Baby Wipes 1/2 cup distilled water 1/4 cup vinegar 1/4 cup aloe vera gel 1 Tablespoon calendula oil (Remember the coconut oil recipe a few paragraphs back? That would work here.) 1 drop lavender essential oil 1 drop tea tree essential oil Use a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Pour in all the ingredients, cover the jar and shake to blend. Place your wipes in a container, and pour on enough solution to moisten them. Store any extra solution in the fridge. It should stay fresh for a long time, especially if you use distilled water. The vinegar and essential oils discourage yeast growth, which means you shouldn't have too much trouble with these wipes getting moldy. If your baby has a really red, raw diaper rash, you might not want to use these wipes because the vinegar may cause a burning sensation. The wipes themselves Recycled paper towels Those flannel baby blankets and burp rags old, soft towels, too embarrassing to keep out anymore, etc From Naturalfamilyonline.com