Caring for your baby

• Nappy rash soothers

Prolonged contact of a baby’s skin with urine and faeces causes nappy rash, especially when nappy changes are delayed — so the best treatment for nappy rash is to leave the nappy off for as long as possible. Soap can irritate the skin even more and so can wipes that contain alcohol — though most commercial baby wipes are alcohol-free. Here are three easy nappy-rash soothers you’re likely to have at home:

1. ‘Toasted’ cornflour Although moisture-absorbing cornflour can be used straight from the box, it works better when dried in the oven. Just spread it on a baking tray and dry it in a very low oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool before using.
2. Honey The sugar in honey absorbs water, denying the bacteria that cause infection the moisture they need to survive. Ask your doctor before using honey on children under 12 months of age; don’t give it to your child to eat — if ingested, honey can result in a botulism infection.
3. Petroleum jelly Wiping petroleum jelly on the rash gives your baby’s skin a protective coating so that the rash can heal.

• A spicy baby powder substitute

The spice fenugreek has been shown to soothe nappy rash. Apply directly to the skin, like baby powder, or mix it with a little water to form a paste to apply sparingly to irritated areas.

• Prevent nappy rash with salt and zinc

Most babies have nappy rash at some time or other, but parents of babies with extra-sensitive skin are going to need all the help they can get. Stir 1 tablespoon salt into 1 litre boiling water and let the solution cool to room temperature. Wipe it onto your baby’s bottom, then gently dab it dry. Then apply a zinc-oxide lotion to create a physical barrier against further wetness.

• The easiest rash preventive of all

The less time a baby’s bottom is covered by a nappy, the less he or she risks suffering nappy rash. At sleep time, just place an unfastened nappy under your child or put the baby on towels placed over a waterproof sheet.

• A rash remedy from the garden

 Calendula, a cousin of marigolds, has long been used to treat skin rashes, so keep a homemade wash in the nursery to soothe your baby’s skin. Cut the flower heads from a calendula plant and let them dry. Pick the petals off and put 1 heaped tablespoon petals into a bowl. Pour 3 cups (750ml) just-boiled water over the petals, let steep for 1 hour, then strain into a container. Apply to the baby’s bottom or other red or itchy areas up to four times a day.

• Soothe heat rash with a bicarb bath

Heat rash can make babies miserable. Here’s a way to help ‘take the red out’: add bicarbonate of soda to your baby’s lukewarm bathwater -2 teaspoons to every 8 litres water. Then let your baby air-dry instead of wiping him or her with a towel. Or gently press the rash with a cool, wet face washer several times a day.

• Say goodbye to crusting

Although it’s a common, usually harmless condition, cradle cap can be very unsightly. Get on top of it fast by gently rubbing a bit of baby oil onto your baby’s head, and then lightly comb it through his or her hair. If the baby gets upset, comb it at different times, but don’t leave the baby oil on for more than 24 hours in total. Afterwards, wash the hair thoroughly, using a mild baby shampoo. Repeat the process if the cradle cap persists. Caution: if you notice a lot of yellow crusting, or if the cradle cap has spread behind the ears or neck, contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.

• Combat cradle cap

Another remedy for cradle cap is to make a paste from 3 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda and 1 teaspoon water, apply it to the scalp an hour before bedtime, then rinse it off the following morning, but do not use it with shampoo. You may need to apply it on consecutive nights.

• Camomile for congestion

If your baby is 6 months or older, try easing congestion with weak camomile tea — weak meaning 1 tea bag steeped in 2 cups (500ml) hot water for no more than 3 minutes. Put the lukewarm tea into a bottle or cup for sipping on two or three times a day. Caution: check with your doctor before doing this.

• Soothing a sore throat

If your baby is old enough to be eating solids, warm drinks such as tea or clear soup can be soothing to a sore throat. But don’t add honey to the tea as honey may contain spores that could grow in the baby’s immature digestive tract. Cool apple juice is another effective sore-throat soother for a baby or small child.