Cloth Diapers: Best for Baby
Many families are spending big bucks for disposable diapers. But the Better Times choice is the plain cloth diaper. You will need 2 to 4 dozen to start. As babies get older, they use fewer diapers each day. Make your own or buy them. One set will do for several babies over a period of years, getting softer as time passes. Eventually they’ll make soft rags for dusting and polishing.
Changing:
With chemically enhanced disposables, it’s not always easy to tell if baby is wet so they get changed by the clock. With cotton diapers, you change them only when it needs to be done. Each time you pick up the baby, use your finger to check the top of the diaper for dampness or feel the bottom for that heavy, warm sensation. For fastening the diaper, there are various velcro covers available, which are better than the old-fashioned safety pin. If you are breast-feeding your baby, you will find that the diaper doesn’t smell quite as bad.
Potty Training.
One of the great reasons for using cloth diapers is that it is much easier to potty train your baby and you do so earlier. It’s not unusual for cloth diapered kids to be potty trained six months before those using disposable diapers.
Laundry:
Scrape off the solids into the toilet, toss into a machine or diaper pail (put about 4 gallons of water and 1 cup of bleach in it). Use hot water and soap, instead of detergent. Ivory flakes is a good choice. Avoid anything with borax or borates. If you use a whitener such as bleach, double rinse.
Diaper rash:
Avoidance is best. Rinse baby’s bottom often. Soaps are not always necessary, as baby poop is water soluble. If you use soap, rinse well. If you travel with baby, keep a little wash cloth wet with water in a baggie in your diaper bag, or make your own baby wipes. Use corn starch for baby powder. Olive oil or cooking oil is as good as baby oil. Your baby’s bottom will be healthier for a good dose of occasional sun light and fresh air. Let your baby be without diapers on occasion, but don’t leave the baby in the sun where he or she could get sun burned. For certain circumstances, such as traveling, disposable diapers make sense, but for regular use cloth diapers are the best.
Make Your Own Baby Wipes
To prepare a roll of paper towels to become baby wipes, cut it in half so you have two short rolls and remove the cardboard center. Place a short roll in an airtight, water-proof container (like an old baby wipe box or tupperware container), and pour the solution over the towels. Put the lid back on the box and turn it upside down so the solution is absorbed. Blue shop towels have been recommended by mothers for this. The solution could be kept in a jar and cloth towels dipped in it.
Lisa’s Baby Wipes
1/8 – 1/4 c oil (mineral or baby oil) | 1/8 – 1/4 c baby shampoo | 1-1/2 – 2 cups water | 8 drops of lavender oil | 5 drops of tea tree oil (optional) | 1/2 roll paper towels
Mix ingredients, adding the baby shampoo last, mix the solution gently.
Another Baby Wipes Recipe
2-1/4 cups water | 2 tbsp baby shampoo | 1 tbsp baby oil | 1 roll paper towels, cut in half
Heavenly Baby Massage Oil
4 ounces of oil (olive, almond, apricot, or sunflower) | 5 drops lavender essential oil | 5 drops orange essential oil
Pour your ingredients right into the bottle you’re going to use to dispense the massage oils. Just give a good shake to blend the oils and you’re all set. For a different scent, use rose essential oil in place of lavender and orange.
Calendula Baby Oil
8 ounces of oil (olive, almond, apricot, or sunflower)
1 ounce calendula flowers
Place the oil and calendula flowers in a crock pot on low temperature for about 4 hours to extract the beneficial properties of the calendula into the oil. Check very carefully that your oil is not getting too hot! Allow the oil to cool and then strain it using cheese cloth or a gauze diaper. You can add a few drops of essential oils if you like. Try 5-10 drops each of orange and lavender or chamomile. For the ultimate luxury use rose essential oil Calendula is healing and soothing to the skin. It is excellent for massaging your babies! Calendula oil is also good for helping prevent the over-growth of yeast in the diaper area.
Teething ointment
ounce pure vegetable glycerin or vegetable oil
2 drops essential oil of clove
Add one drop of clove to your glycerin and shake it until it is well blended. Test it on yourself to make sure it is not too strong before adding another drop. Glycerin is very sweet so it makes the remedy a bit more appealing.
CRISIS PREGNANCY CONTACTS
In Oklahoma: 405 636-4072
National: Birthright International – 1-800-550-4900
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast-feeding
Information presented here is from accredited La Leche League leaders. This information is general in nature, and not intended to be advice, medical or otherwise. Information prepared by Karen Zeretzke, La Leche League Leader, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Does Breast-feeding hurt?
No! If it does, there’s something wrong with the way the baby is latched on. Take him or her off and begin again.
What’s in it for me?
A smarter, healthier baby who is less likely to be allergic. Less chance of breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers. Getting back in shape faster. A wonderful enduring bond with your baby. So easy — nothing to fix, buy, or clean.
Doesn’t Breast-feeding tie you down?
Not really. During the first few months, a breast-fed baby is very portable! Just pack a few extra diapers and maybe a change of clothes for the baby and you’re ready to leave.
How long does it take to breast-feed?
Soon after the baby is born, feedings usually take 15 – 20 minutes per side and most mothers offer both sides at each feeding. If the baby falls asleep, start the next feeding with the breast that didn’t get nursed at the last feeding. Later, as the baby becomes more efficient, an entire feeding may only take 10 – 15 minutes.
What’s so special about human milk?
Your body makes it especially for your baby. Cow’s milk was designed for baby calves! Every time your baby nurses, he or she gets protection from exactly what you all have come in contact with. Plus exactly what he or she needs for brain development and perfect growth.
Why do people say Breast-feeding is important?
At birth, babies are immune to everything their mothers are, but they have no functional immune system of their own until at 6 weeks the faint stirrings begin. By the time babies are six months old, they will have functional, but still immature, immune systems to help keep them healthy and allergy free. Breastmilk gives babies all the immunities they need until they can make their own.
Why bother Breast-feeding when I know I’ll be returning to work or school?
Once you return to work or school, you could either pump your milk for your baby to use the next day or choose to give him bottles while you’re away. Although you might need to pump for a few days until your breasts don’t feel so full anymore, your body will adjust just as it will when the baby sleeps through the night.
To find a La Leche League Leader in your area, call 1-800-LALECHE or 1-847-519-7730.
They will refer you to a La Leche League Leader near you. You can also access much information about Breast-feeding at the La Leche League website:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/