I began making these years and years ago and have seen several variations. I prefer to buy quite a few baby washcloths ( about 30) and put them into empty baby wipe tub. I make the solution first and then add wipes. Some people are very tidy and stack wipes neatly- I just throw them in. I have also seen people put solution in spray bottle and spray onto dry washcloth. You can also make your own washcloths by cutting up flannel squares from old receiving blanket, etc. Another method is to take a roll of high quality paper towel and “saw” in half with knife, then put in round Tupperware container. Whatever works!

Basic Baby Wipe Recipe

2 Cups water
1 tsp liquid baby soap ( I use water one smells nicest to me- currently I like Lil’ Goats brand)
2 tsp vegetable based oil ( sweet almond oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, etc)
few drops of lavender or Tea Tree oil or grapefruit seed extract

Note: stay away from nut based oils if history of allergies.

There are all kinds of variations- can add more or less water. The lavender smells really nice. Grapefruit seed extract is great for warding off yeast infections so I used this one a lot. It is expensive but I have used Burt’s Bees baby oil just for the scent.

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Cloth Diapers, Health and Remedies, Recipes at 10:31 AM EDT

2 Comments »

This is VERY similar to the Burt’s Bees calendula cream- but I have had this recipe longer and I suspect given the ingredients that this is better. It makes a fanstastic baby gift or baby shower gift. One batch makes an ample supply- I make about once a year and have enough for our family and give these away to new moms all the time.
This is a fantastic diaper cream as well terrific for chapped lips, elbows or whatever. It is a non-barrier cream so babies skin can breathe. The ingredient list is quite scary but all are found easily. Most health food stores or stores that sell dried herbs. It is also quite cheap to make- the herbs cost under 10.00 and if you use olive oil it is Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Cloth Diapers, Health and Remedies, Recipes at 1:31 AM EST

1 Comment »

Unfortunately I have had way too much experience with thrush and mastitis over the past 9 years. Thrush is tricky- especially in new moms because there are often no visible signs. Symptoms of thrush- basically a yeast infection for mom can include: burning pain when baby latches on -often subsiding after a minute or less. Burning pain AFTER nursing . The pain is often describes as a pinching feeling or burning or shooting. What makes this different from a bad latch is this pain goes away just after latching on. The pain can be excruciating- it often brought tears to my eyes. To complicate things- a bad latch can cause a yeast infection. The nipple gets damaged and yeast can breed in blister or crack.
Thrush in baby or toddler can show no symptoms or will look like white curd on tongue or inside cheeks. The baby will feel no pain.
Both mom baby must be treated for thrush or the will keep giving it back and forth to each other.
Women with Cesarean infections are especially prone to thrush because of the antibiotics received in IV. Breastfeeding moms who have recently taken antibiotic are at high risk for thrush. I will take acidophilus when taking antibiotics as preventive measure.

If you are new mom and this is your first experience with suspected thrush please contact your doctor or midwife immediately. It is relatively easy to cure and the pain is unnecessary and can undermine your desire to nurse and/or your milk supply. Note- it IS safe to nurse baby with thrush- the milk is not affected.
I have had great success with Gentian violet (1% solution). It can be found Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Breastfeeding Support, General Homeschool and Unschooling, Health and Remedies, Health and Wellness at 11:13 AM EST

1 Comment »