One CafeMom Goes Green: Week 2

on December 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Science_Spot recently made the decision to go all green in her household and blog about it along the way.

This week, she tells us about trying to get her baby some—natural!—relief from persistent diaper rash.

Each week, Science_Spot updates us on her family's natural transition. This week, she reports about trying to get her baby, Sarah, some relief from diaper rash.

The big question this week is: where to start. It turns out that was a pretty easy question to answer, as some symptoms become more pronounced and there is a sense of urgency now.

Sarah's on-again, off-again diaper rash has gotten so bad so quickly, she now runs from me whenever she sees the (Huggies brand) wipes container in my hand. Having tried four different diaper ointments, now even the "premium" Boudreaux's Butt Paste has her screaming when I use it. This stuff is supposed to make it better, not worse! I am going to have to do something for Sarah right away; she needs new solutions for diaper wipes, rash control and bathing. I have run out of Johnson's Baby Wash, anyways.

As an immediate, temporary solution to the wipes problem, I started using just damp paper towels to wipe her red butt, followed by 5 minutes of drying time (AKA run around like a funny, happy, naked baby). I figured I needed to protect her butt from the wetness in the diaper also, so I decided some mostly-natural (although petroleum-derived) Vaseline could be the solution. After a couple of days, this method kept the rash from getting worse, but it wasn't getting better, either. Not quite the easy-win I was looking for.

Maybe the key to getting Sarah some rash relief is in the soap. Since having run out of Johnson's Baby Wash, I have been using my Dove Cucumber Body Wash on Sarah as well (temporarily). I would like to use the same (gentle, natural) soap for myself and both girls, so getting a new soap for Sarah is also a new soap for me! I need something for my body, and something for my face. It's possible I can also use the natural bar soap for hands as well, which will reduce my product usage even further.

This week has left me a little frustrated with how the baby rash is going, but I am excited to start trying some new soaps!

Are you thinking about making a natural transition in your household? How do you control diaper rash naturally?

Previously:

Going Green: One CafeMom's Natural Transition

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: going green, natural health

Comments (12)

aurorabunny

on Dec 10, 2009 at 3:23 PM

Brody has super sensitive skin and after going through a million soaps, all he can tolerate is Earth Mama Angel Baby. They sell it at Whole Foods but it's cheaper straight from their website.

For diaper wipe solution, I mix up warm water, coconut oil, wheat germ oil, vegetable glycerine and Rosemary EO and Tea Tree EO. We use hemp wipes so I just soak my wipes in it but I'm sure it would work with paper towels too. My kiddo hasn't had one rash since I started using it and that's been over a year.

Keep up the good work, you rock mama!

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Cafe Suzanne

on Dec 10, 2009 at 6:40 PM

Vitamin E - pop the capsule and rub on the goo.

science_spot

on Dec 11, 2009 at 4:26 PM

Thank you both for the suggestions! I will add them to my list to try (as needed)

aenima49

on Dec 22, 2009 at 10:39 AM

You have to try the Grandma El's. It soothes but allows the skin to breathe. It's a miracle! That, the cloth dipes & wipes made a huge difference for us.

We put a sposie on DS when we had to take him to the ER and just a couple hours of that (dry, he was sick) gave him WELTS!

emtgirl885

on Apr 14, 2010 at 7:15 AM

I use Renew lotion for the diaper rash.

Radarma

on Jun 1, 2010 at 11:57 PM

"Vitamin E - pop the capsule and rub on the goo.

Cafe Suzanne ,

Dec 10, 2009 at 6:40 PM "...

...LOL, we cannot fail with "goo". In my experience, "goo" works.

Science_Spot...I gave up wipes on the bums (bottoms) in lieu of a small Tupperware of warm water and a clean washcloth. More time consuming, but well worth it. If there was mass poop, we dunked bums in the bath.

(interestingly enough...Dh had to undergo many allergy tests @ Stanford and guess what they found? He was allergic to the main ingredient in baby wipes, bromaldihyde or some "b" word like that. It was SO obvious after the Dx because his right hand was much more severe than his left.) Ha, that's what a "hands on" dad gets these days, poor baby.