The No-Diaper Rash Solution
So I ventured into making all of the skin care products for my little one and haven't regretted it once. The No-Diaper-Rash solution has been such an amazing thing to see, because prior to my life as a naturopath, I worked in childcare, and did babysitting for years, and know what a bad rash can look like. So the recipes are simple, you can make them if you choose to, the only thing we need to go over right now are some specifics.
Why should I avoid Petroleum based products?
For starters, we've all loved and used petroleum jelly in our regimen at some point in our lives. I myself have enjoyed the texture in my days not knowing there were much much better alternatives out there. I realized using petroleum jelly is like walking around with saran wrap on your skin- there is a moisture barrier, but also no breathing room for the skin. Those with acne know how important it is to have skin and pores open, without being clogged up. Petroleum based products are also xenoestrogens, which means they mimic estrogen from the body as they are stored over time in our adipose tissue (fat cells). This can go on to cause hormonal disruptions, based on the product we use, and how often we use them in our regimen.
Luckily there are sooooo many options and nourishing oils to use on lips, face, skin and over a baby's bottom.
Natural Baby Bum Balm
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp Beeswax (Creates nice soothing moisture barrier on skin)
1/4 cup Organic Coconut Oil (Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing, Nutritive)
1/4 cup Organic Mango Butter/Shea butter (High in Vitamin A, Skin Repairing, Highly Nutritive)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil or an infusion I use the slow infusion, see below (Soothing, Healing, Non-irritant)
3-4 drops Essential Oil (optional) - Chamomile, Mint or Lavender
How to prepare an Olive Oil Infusion with Healing Herbs:
Chamomile flowers (1 Tbsp, you can use tea bags and open them up or buy the loose leaf)
Calendula petals (2 Tbsp)
Marshmallow root powder (1 Tbsp)
1.5 cups of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil
Take all the ingredients above and either leave it in a mason jar shaking daily for about 6 weeks, or use a double broiler and heat the infusion for about 2 hours on low heat
How to Make:
Start off by boiling water in the containers you will use to sanitize the glass.
Take 2 tbsp of the prepared Olive Oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and mango butter and put into Pyrex glass measuring cup to double broil, stir occasionally
When completely melted, remove, add essential oils of choice, and pour into amber glass jar
Cover with paper towel/cheesecloth, until completely cooled
Use in diaper area, or over burns, irritated skin. Store away from sun, and use knowing you've created a healthy alternative to petroleum products!! Shelf-stable as all ingredients are fat-soluble and contains no water.
Other Alternatives:
At the health food stores, find products with the simplest ingredients. One's you know. The common ingredients that are healthy and beneficial may also include Tocopherol (aka. Vitamin E), Ricinis communis (aka. Castor OIl) or Apricot Kernel Oil or other carrier oils.
There are many great balms in Amber bottles, so have a look when you're out next time. If you want a product that is the closest to Vaseline without any harmful ingredients, then Live Clean's Non-Petroleum Jelly is one that I like.
I hope that you give this a try, and please send me some of your experiences and favourite products so we can all benefit from the experiences of other mommies and daddies!
Happy Infusing!
