9 things that can cause a diaper rash

Recently our daughter developed some diaper rash all over her bum and coincidentally her diaper reeked with ammonia that morning so I naturally assumed it was the ammonia that was causing the rash.  I had some Earth mama angel baby diaper cream and I applied the cream on the rash. The rash however came back the next day and I was puzzled hmmm…must be ammonia because she is sleeping for 10 1/2 hr straight without a diaper change. Yet in the back of my head I am thinking she has never had this bad of a rash before.  It was wasn’t until my hubby said pointed out that our older daughter was having an eczema break out that I realize that the rash had nothing to do with ammonia it was a reaction to a new food. I just re introduce barley flour and that was causing the rash. There are so many things that can cause a diaper rash  that we have to pay close attention when trying to figure out what is the cause.

So what are some causes of diaper rash?

1. Infrequent diaper changes is the most common cause of diaper rash
2. Sensitivity to feces and urine- some babies have super  sensitve skin and will break out no matter how quickly you change them
3. Sensitivity to synthetic fiber cloth diapers
4. Sensitivtiy to chemicals in disposable diapers and wipes
5. Eczema
6. Teething – some babies will develop diaper rash while  teething
7. Food Allergies- especially when introducing baby to new foods watch for diaper rash as it is a sign of food allergy.
8. Detergent /Soap- cloth diapered babies can have allergic reaction to some laundry detergent
9. Yeast infection

Eczema Herbal Tea Bath

One of things I love to do for the girls is to give them a herbal tea bath for their eczema. Herbs such as  burdock root, red clover, nettle are great at detoxing the body. Calendula, chickweed, and chamomile heals, soothes broken skin and ease the itching. Soaking in warm water also rehydrates the skin.

You can make the tea by either placing the herbs in a muslim bag and let the hot water run through the bag to make the tea.

2. You can steep the herbs in a pot, strain and add to the bath water or steep the herbs in a cup and make into a strong tea then add to the bath.

Once herbal tea is added to the bath, let the kids soak in it for a good 20 minutes. Then add a lot of natural moisturizer such as shea butter or a shea butter base moisturizer to the skin.

Baltic Amber Teething Necklcace- Do They Work?

Raw amber teething necklace

Teething can be hard on babies. Some babies may go through the teething stage without any problems while others experience a lot of pain, fever, diaper rash, vomiting. Many moms are now looking for natural ways to soothe their babies without having to rely on baby Tylenol since teething last for a long time. While there are many natural ways to soothe a little one while teething, such as using a natural teethers,  hyland teething tables, chamomilla, I have totally fallen in love with Baltic amber teething necklace.

Amber necklace is relatively new to us in the US but not to Europe. Europeans have being using Baltic amber teething necklace for centuries to  soothe the babies.  Amber beads contain succinic acid, a substance that is present in both mammals and plants so I like the idea of using it as it is not a foreign substance.

Does Amber Teething Necklace Work?

Many people dismiss amber necklaces as  fake but they are not. Succinic acid  is present in living tissues including humans and plays a central role in providing oxygen to the cells within our bodies. Succinic acid is used in several fields including the medical field to treat mitochondrial disorder, anemia since its supplies the bodies cell with oxygen and is used also as sedative.

I cannot claimed to understand how amber works but one of the most noticable difference since my daughter started wearing  hers is NO Drooling. Some how she manages to be putting out 2 molars and 2 other teeth without drooling. I recently saw in a forum where a mom said her pediatrician says that amber as a drying effect on the body which might explain the no drooling. I have also noticed that she doesn’t get very cranky when the teeth are coming out but still wants to be held….I can take wanting to be held any day over cranky. Also I haven’t had to use any chamomilla or hylands teethingtablets.

I have forgotten to put the necklace on her once for 2 days and she got so irritable and that she wouldn’t sleep. I sent my hubby out at 11pm to get some Tylenol for her. After he left, I realized that she wasn’t wearing her necklace so I put the necklace back on, nursed her in our boba carrier and she finally went to sleep.  The next day she was fine so we return the Tylenol.

I know there is not much research done on amber necklace but that is always the case when it comes to natural alternative medicine or treatment as there is no money to be made so no one pays attention to it. I know there is no one solution to any problem but this was money well spent for me.