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Sunday, August 22, 2010
How to Choose Diaper
How to Choose Diapers
Before your child is potty trained, you'll have changed about 6,000 diapers. So think long and hard about whether you'd rather be dealing with cloth or disposables at 3 a.m. Cloth diaper advocates are concerned about the rate at which disposable diapers are filling our landfills. Disposable fans argue that the water, energy and chlorine it takes to clean cloth diapers have an equally harsh impact on our environment. Even the costs are comparable
Disposable diapers
1. Get at least one small package of diapers in newborn size, and one larger package in the next size. Some newborns are already too big for newborn-size diapers when they come home.
2. Test drive store or generic brands on your baby for comfort and leak protection. Many have the same features (like expandable sides) as premium diapers such as Huggies and Pampers. Don't stock up on any one brand until you know what works for you and yours.
3. If you have the available storage space, join a warehouse club for prices that have nonmembers drooling. Or, order in bulk online. Many sites offer free shipping for large purchases, so you won't have to schlepp jumbo packs around. Disposable diapers and wipes can run $50 a month. See How to Shop the Warehouse Stores.
Cloth diapers
1.Get three-dozen prefolded diapers plus four or five snap-on or Velcro waterproof covers, and pins or plastic clips, if you choose the type of diaper without sewn-on attachments. Look online for service-quality diapers; store brand cloth diapers are usually less absorbent. Many parents love the newer, all-in-one cloth diapers, which combine a diaper with a cover and don't require pins. These look and perform like disposables, although they can take a long time to dry completely.
2.Avoid the hassle of washing and drying diapers by getting a professional diaper service. These services pick up soiled diapers and drop off clean ones once a week. They provide the diapers so you don't have to buy them (you will still need covers). Call several services in your area to compare rates and start-up specials. You'll pay more for a service, but your washing machine will thank you.
3.Budget about $40 a month for a diaper service (depending on where you live). Using cloth diapers requires an investment of about $75 for three-dozen diapers and covers (for each growth stage), plus energy costs
My first blog workshop today!
visit my Baby Product store
Before your child is potty trained, you'll have changed about 6,000 diapers. So think long and hard about whether you'd rather be dealing with cloth or disposables at 3 a.m. Cloth diaper advocates are concerned about the rate at which disposable diapers are filling our landfills. Disposable fans argue that the water, energy and chlorine it takes to clean cloth diapers have an equally harsh impact on our environment. Even the costs are comparable
Disposable diapers
1. Get at least one small package of diapers in newborn size, and one larger package in the next size. Some newborns are already too big for newborn-size diapers when they come home.
2. Test drive store or generic brands on your baby for comfort and leak protection. Many have the same features (like expandable sides) as premium diapers such as Huggies and Pampers. Don't stock up on any one brand until you know what works for you and yours.
3. If you have the available storage space, join a warehouse club for prices that have nonmembers drooling. Or, order in bulk online. Many sites offer free shipping for large purchases, so you won't have to schlepp jumbo packs around. Disposable diapers and wipes can run $50 a month. See How to Shop the Warehouse Stores.
Cloth diapers
1.Get three-dozen prefolded diapers plus four or five snap-on or Velcro waterproof covers, and pins or plastic clips, if you choose the type of diaper without sewn-on attachments. Look online for service-quality diapers; store brand cloth diapers are usually less absorbent. Many parents love the newer, all-in-one cloth diapers, which combine a diaper with a cover and don't require pins. These look and perform like disposables, although they can take a long time to dry completely.
2.Avoid the hassle of washing and drying diapers by getting a professional diaper service. These services pick up soiled diapers and drop off clean ones once a week. They provide the diapers so you don't have to buy them (you will still need covers). Call several services in your area to compare rates and start-up specials. You'll pay more for a service, but your washing machine will thank you.
3.Budget about $40 a month for a diaper service (depending on where you live). Using cloth diapers requires an investment of about $75 for three-dozen diapers and covers (for each growth stage), plus energy costs
My first blog workshop today!
visit my Baby Product store
Diaper Rash
DIAPER RASH
When your beautiful baby is born, her skin is often perfect in every way. It is softer and smoother than it will ever be again. You are dismayed when she wakes up and her bottom is red and irritated when you change her diaper. What happened! What did you do wrong? Absolutely nothing!
ALL BABIES HAVE DIAPER RASH!
There are many misconceptions about a baby's bottom:
• It is supposed to be perfectly smooth and rash-free
• Diaper rash is abnormal
• Diaper rash is a sign of food or formula allergies
• Diaper rash means the baby has bad diarrhea or a yeast infection
Having a diaper rash is a normal part of being a baby. There are many ways you can limit the amount of rash, but from time to time it will flare up again.
WHY BABIES GET DIAPER RASH
Start with ultra sensitive skin, add the chemicals and moisture of urine and stools, cover the area with a diaper that rubs back and forth, and you have diaper rash. This damaged skin is susceptible to the invasion of bacteria and yeast, which can make the rash worse.
SEVEN WAYS TO PREVENT OR MINIMIZE DIAPER RASH
If your baby does not have a problem with diaper rash, then you don't need to be too strict with these preventative measures. However, if you are constantly battling rash, here are some helpful hints to minimize it:
1. Change diapers frequently - at least every two hours in newborns. You can space this out as baby starts to urinate less often.
2. Change poopy diapers right away - this is a lot of trouble at first since newborns often have small, frequent stools. This will slow down as baby grows.
3. Try different brands - if using disposables, another brand may fit a little better and cause less friction.
4. Rinse cloth diapers - add a half-cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. This helps remove alkaline irritants. Your diaper service can also do this.
5. Wipe well - be sure to wipe all the stool and urine away.
6. Use unscented wipes or just plain water - these are less irritating. You can even rinse out the wipes with water, although this takes more time.
7. Diaper rash cream - some lucky babies don't need any. More sensitive bottoms need cream with each new diaper. There are two basic types of barrier creams:
o Petroleum ointment (Original A & D ointment) - this is an excellent preventative every-day ointment. It's less sticky and less messy.
o White zinc oxide - this is thicker and may be better for babies who are more prone to rash.
FOUR WAYS TO TREAT DIAPER RASH FLARE-UPS
No matter how diligent you are with the above measures, your baby will still have a rash from time to time. Here are some tips to treating those rough spots:
1. Wash off bottom with water - don't wipe the sore areas. Instead, use a bulb syringe to gently wash baby's diaper area.
2. Gently dab or pat away any remaining stool. Blot baby's bottom dry.
3. Let it air out - leave the diaper off for a while, with no diaper cream on. Lay baby on a towel (with a waterproof pad underneath to catch accidents) with her bottom up. Do this as often as you can. This will help dry out the rash, which is important for the healing process.
4. Diaper cream - when you do put the diaper back on, use generous amounts of cream. Here are some suggestions:
o Zinc oxide - for the moderate rash.
o Acid mantle - this is a brand name sold in stores. It is outstanding for moderate diaper rashes. Can be used with zinc oxide over it.
o Butt paste or Triple paste - there are a variety of creams that a pharmacist can mix up for you that contain a variety of ingredients. These are good for severe rashes. One brand that is already mixed is called Triple Paste. Ask your pharmacist for some. It is non-prescription.
o Clotrimazole anti-fungal cream - for stubborn rashes, yeast may be involved (see below). You can add this over-the-counter cream to help.
o Hydrocortisone 1% cream - you can put this over-the-counter cream on twice a day beneath any of the other creams to help with severe rashes. It will help with the inflammation. Don't use this for more than several days at a time as long-term use can damage the sensitive skin in the diaper area.
o Soothe and heal by Lansinoh. This pure lanolin ointment is excellent for soothing sore bottoms.
o Mix your own - if you can't get a prescription, try mixing these together in the palm of your hand, then apply to baby's bottom:
Zinc oxide
White petroleum ointment
Acid mantle
Aluminum acetate (Burrow's solution)
If you cant find Acid Mantle, then use Lansinoh (a lanolin ointment). It is available in the diaper cream section of drug stores.
IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC DIAPER RASHES
Here are a few diaper rashes that can be more than just irritation from the stool, urine, and diaper. They usually require more specific therapy:
1. Contact diaper rash - this is simply the regular rash as discussed above.
o Appearance - flat, red, irritated skin. When severe, skin will peel or blister and slough off.
o Treatment - as described above.
2. Intertrigo - this is a specific rash that occurs within the skin folds and creases around the diaper area where the skin rubs together.
o Appearance - Heat and moisture mixed with urine cause a red, burn-like appearance.
o Treatment - regular white petroleum diaper ointment.
3. Yeast rash - when the skin is damaged, yeast from the intestines can invade the skin. This especially occurs with antibiotic use or prolonged rash.
o Appearance - it is a red, raised, patchy rash with sharp borders, mostly over the genitalia but with satellite spots sprinkled around the diaper area. Click here to view a picture of a yeast diaper rash.
o Treatment - in addition to the above measures, there are two commonly used anti-fungal creams:
Clotrimazole - over-the-counter. Apply 2 - 3 times a days beneath the other creams.
Nystatin - prescription. Not necessarily better, just different.
Acidophilus - this is a natural bacterial powder that fights off yeast. Click on it to learn more.
4. Impetigo - this occurs when bacteria invade the damaged skin.
o Appearance - coin-sized blisters or red raised patches that ooze a honey-colored crust.
o Treatment - prescription antibiotic ointment as well as the above general measures.
5. Seborrhea - an inflammatory condition that can affect different parts of the body, but can be especially severe in the diaper area.
o Appearance - a big, red, sharply demarcated patch over the groin, genitalia, and lower abdomen. It can be more raised, rough, thick, and greasy than the other rashes.
o Treatment - hydrocortisone 1% cream (over-the-counter) 2 - 3 times a day. Don't use more than a week unless directed by your doctor.
6. Allergy ring - a variety of foods can irritate baby's bottom, especially acidic foods such as citrus and tomato-based sauces.
o Appearance - a red ring around baby's anus.
o Treatment - discontinue suspected foods. Breastfeeding moms may need to eliminate foods from
click here
ALL BABIES HAVE DIAPER RASH!
There are many misconceptions about a baby's bottom:
• It is supposed to be perfectly smooth and rash-free
• Diaper rash is abnormal
• Diaper rash is a sign of food or formula allergies
• Diaper rash means the baby has bad diarrhea or a yeast infection
Having a diaper rash is a normal part of being a baby. There are many ways you can limit the amount of rash, but from time to time it will flare up again.
WHY BABIES GET DIAPER RASH
Start with ultra sensitive skin, add the chemicals and moisture of urine and stools, cover the area with a diaper that rubs back and forth, and you have diaper rash. This damaged skin is susceptible to the invasion of bacteria and yeast, which can make the rash worse.
SEVEN WAYS TO PREVENT OR MINIMIZE DIAPER RASH
If your baby does not have a problem with diaper rash, then you don't need to be too strict with these preventative measures. However, if you are constantly battling rash, here are some helpful hints to minimize it:
1. Change diapers frequently - at least every two hours in newborns. You can space this out as baby starts to urinate less often.
2. Change poopy diapers right away - this is a lot of trouble at first since newborns often have small, frequent stools. This will slow down as baby grows.
3. Try different brands - if using disposables, another brand may fit a little better and cause less friction.
4. Rinse cloth diapers - add a half-cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. This helps remove alkaline irritants. Your diaper service can also do this.
5. Wipe well - be sure to wipe all the stool and urine away.
6. Use unscented wipes or just plain water - these are less irritating. You can even rinse out the wipes with water, although this takes more time.
7. Diaper rash cream - some lucky babies don't need any. More sensitive bottoms need cream with each new diaper. There are two basic types of barrier creams:
o Petroleum ointment (Original A & D ointment) - this is an excellent preventative every-day ointment. It's less sticky and less messy.
o White zinc oxide - this is thicker and may be better for babies who are more prone to rash.
FOUR WAYS TO TREAT DIAPER RASH FLARE-UPS
No matter how diligent you are with the above measures, your baby will still have a rash from time to time. Here are some tips to treating those rough spots:
1. Wash off bottom with water - don't wipe the sore areas. Instead, use a bulb syringe to gently wash baby's diaper area.
2. Gently dab or pat away any remaining stool. Blot baby's bottom dry.
3. Let it air out - leave the diaper off for a while, with no diaper cream on. Lay baby on a towel (with a waterproof pad underneath to catch accidents) with her bottom up. Do this as often as you can. This will help dry out the rash, which is important for the healing process.
4. Diaper cream - when you do put the diaper back on, use generous amounts of cream. Here are some suggestions:
o Zinc oxide - for the moderate rash.
o Acid mantle - this is a brand name sold in stores. It is outstanding for moderate diaper rashes. Can be used with zinc oxide over it.
o Butt paste or Triple paste - there are a variety of creams that a pharmacist can mix up for you that contain a variety of ingredients. These are good for severe rashes. One brand that is already mixed is called Triple Paste. Ask your pharmacist for some. It is non-prescription.
o Clotrimazole anti-fungal cream - for stubborn rashes, yeast may be involved (see below). You can add this over-the-counter cream to help.
o Hydrocortisone 1% cream - you can put this over-the-counter cream on twice a day beneath any of the other creams to help with severe rashes. It will help with the inflammation. Don't use this for more than several days at a time as long-term use can damage the sensitive skin in the diaper area.
o Soothe and heal by Lansinoh. This pure lanolin ointment is excellent for soothing sore bottoms.
o Mix your own - if you can't get a prescription, try mixing these together in the palm of your hand, then apply to baby's bottom:
Zinc oxide
White petroleum ointment
Acid mantle
Aluminum acetate (Burrow's solution)
If you cant find Acid Mantle, then use Lansinoh (a lanolin ointment). It is available in the diaper cream section of drug stores.
IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC DIAPER RASHES
Here are a few diaper rashes that can be more than just irritation from the stool, urine, and diaper. They usually require more specific therapy:
1. Contact diaper rash - this is simply the regular rash as discussed above.
o Appearance - flat, red, irritated skin. When severe, skin will peel or blister and slough off.
o Treatment - as described above.
2. Intertrigo - this is a specific rash that occurs within the skin folds and creases around the diaper area where the skin rubs together.
o Appearance - Heat and moisture mixed with urine cause a red, burn-like appearance.
o Treatment - regular white petroleum diaper ointment.
3. Yeast rash - when the skin is damaged, yeast from the intestines can invade the skin. This especially occurs with antibiotic use or prolonged rash.
o Appearance - it is a red, raised, patchy rash with sharp borders, mostly over the genitalia but with satellite spots sprinkled around the diaper area. Click here to view a picture of a yeast diaper rash.
o Treatment - in addition to the above measures, there are two commonly used anti-fungal creams:
Clotrimazole - over-the-counter. Apply 2 - 3 times a days beneath the other creams.
Nystatin - prescription. Not necessarily better, just different.
Acidophilus - this is a natural bacterial powder that fights off yeast. Click on it to learn more.
4. Impetigo - this occurs when bacteria invade the damaged skin.
o Appearance - coin-sized blisters or red raised patches that ooze a honey-colored crust.
o Treatment - prescription antibiotic ointment as well as the above general measures.
5. Seborrhea - an inflammatory condition that can affect different parts of the body, but can be especially severe in the diaper area.
o Appearance - a big, red, sharply demarcated patch over the groin, genitalia, and lower abdomen. It can be more raised, rough, thick, and greasy than the other rashes.
o Treatment - hydrocortisone 1% cream (over-the-counter) 2 - 3 times a day. Don't use more than a week unless directed by your doctor.
6. Allergy ring - a variety of foods can irritate baby's bottom, especially acidic foods such as citrus and tomato-based sauces.
o Appearance - a red ring around baby's anus.
o Treatment - discontinue suspected foods. Breastfeeding moms may need to eliminate foods from
click here
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