You're changing your baby's diaper and you notice that their normally smooth, cute little tush is now covered in a red, irritated rash. As a new parent going through a very life changing experience, the last thing on your mind at this time is what kind of toxins are lurking in the tube of Desitin you're about so smear on your baby's booty. All you are thinking about is getting rid of that rash fast. However, unfortunately most commercial diaper rash creams contain toxic ingredients. Luckily, there are some great organic alternatives that work wonders on diaper rash, and you can even make your own at home. First lets discuss some of the most common causes of diaper rash and how you can prevent and treat them at home.

Common Causes Of Diaper Rash And How To Avoid Them:

• Infrequent diaper changes - urine is highly alkaline and can burn a baby's sensitive skin if it is left to sit on there for too long. Changing your child's diaper frequently will help. Letting your child go sans diaper for 20-30 minutes at home each day, and making sure to use gentle, alcohol free and fragrance free wipes is also effective in both preventing and treating this type of diaper rash. 
• Yeast - if you had antibiotics during pregnancy, labor, or while breastfeeding, or if your child has been given antibiotics, then yeast overgrowth can occur and is actually quite common. Giving your baby probiotics can help prevent and treat yeast infections. Raw apple cider vinegar diluted with water (50/50) and applied to the affected area with a cotton ball helps kill the yeast as well. Applying coconut oil directly to the rash also helps since coconut oil is a natural anti-fungal. You can also add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the coconut oil since tea tree is also a natural anti fungal, or make a spray with fractionated coconut oil and tea tree oil and mist baby's booty. 1 drop tea tree oil per 2 tbsp fractionated (liquid) coconut oil. (I have been using this spray before and after yoga class to avoid athlete's foot for years.)
• Food allergies and/or sensitivities - this includes foods that mom may have eaten that baby is sensitive to if breastfeeding. Usually this will appear as a red ring around the baby's anus. If you are breastfeeding, try cutting out dairy and soy (the most common allergens) from your diet. Remove acidic foods from your child's diet and talk to your pediatrician about potential food allergies. 
• Teething or a cold/virus - excessive drooling and runny nose can cause diarrhea due to all of the drool etc, being swallowed by your child which is not easily digested and can irritate the intestinal tract. Diarrhea then can cause diaper rash and irritation. For teething you can give your child a Baltic amber teething necklace to wear which helps to reduce drool (see my post on that here), and be sure to change your baby's diaper frequently if they do have diarrhea. 

Common Toxic Ingredients To Avoid In Diaper Rash Creams:

• Parabens (anything with propyl, methyl, ethyl...) - parabens are hormone disruptors. They are easily absorbed by the skin (our body's largest organ) and can mimic estrogen. 
• Sodium borate and/or boric acid - used for its antimicrobial properties, these ingredients have been linked to reproductive toxicity and are endocrine disruptors
• Fragrance - synthetic fragrance can cause allergic reactions and has also been linked to organ toxicity, among other things
• Petrolatum (aka: petroleum jelly) - widely used in ointments and creams as a skin barrier, petrolatum is a carcinogen and has been linked to organ toxicity
• Sodium stearoyl lactylate - an emulsifier made from GMO vegetable oils such as palm oil and soybean oil. It is a known skin irritant and eco-toxin

Best Organic Diaper Rash Creams:

1. Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Soothing Diaper Cream ~ this diaper rash cream is certified organic and made with shea butter, vitamin E, calendula, oat kernel oil, and zinc oxide making it safe, non toxic, and good for sensitive skin. It washes out of cloth diapers without staining too. You can purchase it on Amazon
2. Sierra Sage Baby Balm ~ this salve is made with all organic oils, chamomile, and calendula. It contains natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and is soothing to baby's little booty. You can purchase it on Amazon
3. Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm ~ this stuff is great. It is all organic and completely non toxic, and can be used for diaper rash, minor cuts and scrapes, bug bites, cradle cap, and even chicken pox. It is made with organic olive oil infused with a blend of organic herbs, shea butter, and pure essential oils and is naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. You can purchase it on Amazon
4. BabyBearShop Cheeky Baby Butter ~ this certified organic, vegan balm is made with shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, coconut oil, lavender, sage, and mandarin. It can be used for diaper rash, to prevent stretch marks on mama's belly, and for dry skin. It can be purchased here 

Homemade Organic Diaper Rash Recipe:
If you're like me and you prefer to make you own products, here is my recipe for homemade diaper rash cream. I get most of my ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs.
*I am an affiliate of Mountain Rose Herbs because I love their products and use them myself. If you choose to purchase products from Mountain Rose Herbs by following the links on my page I do receive a small commission. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shea butter (base of the cream, contains vitamins A and E and is soothing and moisturizing)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial)
• 1 tbsp beeswax pastilles (acts as a barrier on the skin, and a binder for the ingredients)
• 2 tbsp zinc oxide (main ingredient in most diaper creams, it essentially makes the skin water resistant)
• 1 tbsp bentonite clay (helps fight bacteria)
• 2 tbsp vegetable glycerin (non toxic, moisturizing, and helps the cream glide on smoothly)

Directions:
In a double boiler (or you can use a saucepan) fill the bottom of the boiler with about an inch of water and bring to a boil. Place the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in the top boiler (or saucepan) and let it melt. Remove mixture from heat and mix in the zinc oxide and bentonite clay. You can also pour the ingredients into a blender to mix them. (I have a blender I use specifically for making products since some ingredients can be harder to clean off.) Pour mix into a glass jar with a lid, and let it cool. Store it in a cool, dry place (not in your fridge, it will become solid) and use as needed for diaper rash as you would any other diaper rash cream.

Do you have a natural or organic diaper rash cream you love? Let me know in the comment below!

For centuries, Baltic amber has been used all over Europe for its healing properties. More recently it has become recognized worldwide for its power to relieve teething pain and discomfort in infants and toddlers. Baltic amber is the fossilized resin of ancient trees and is found in areas of Europe near the Baltic sea.

How Does It Work?

When worn, the warmth of human skin releases the healing oils in the amber called succinite which are then absorbed by the skin into the bloodstream. Baltic amber is significantly higher in succinite  than other types of amber and is therefore the most effective.

What Are The Benefits?

• Baltic amber is a natural analgesic and reduces pain caused by teething, earaches, sore throats, and tummy pain
• It has anti inflammatory properties that soothe swollen, inflamed gums
• Stimulates the thyroid gland to reduce drooling
• Has calming properties that help to alleviate stress and ward off negative energy
• Speeds healing and recovery time
• Amber is lightweight and warm to the touch unlike other stones, so it is comfortable and non irritating to wear

It is best to have your child begin wearing an amber necklace at the first signs of teething. They should be worn as often as possible for best results. Be sure to remove the necklace when your child is sleeping, or put it around their wrist or ankle instead of their neck during sleep.

My son started showing signs of teething early, at around three months. He has been wearing his teething necklace every day and just cut his first tooth without complaint!

Have you had success with an amber teething necklace? What are your favorite all natural teething remedies?

When our little ones aren't feeling well and we see the temperature on the thermometer continue to rise past the average 98.6 degrees, it's only natural that we begin to worry. After all, it has been ingrained in our minds that fevers are always cause for concern and a trip to the doctor's office. In actuality, a fever is the body's natural way of healing itself from an illness or infection and can actually speed recovery time!

Most illnesses that cause a fever survive best at normal body temperature. The purpose of a fever is to heat up the body internally in order to kill the bug that is making us sick to begin with. When we treat a fever with medication to try to reduce it, we are cooling off the body, thus creating a more optimal environment for the illness or infection to thrive, ultimately prolonging it. If we allow a fever to run its course it can reduce the length of an illness by up to 50%! While most fevers are the body's natural response to a common virus or bacterial infection, there are circumstances when a fever can be a warning sign of something more serious and shouldn't be ignored.

*Please note I am not a doctor or medical professional. Please contact your doctor or pediatrician when a medical need arises. 

When A Fever Warrants A Call To The Pediatrician/Doctor:

• If your child is 3 months old or younger and has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
• If your child is between the ages of 3 months and 3 years, and has a fever of 102.2 or higher
• A fever of 104 degrees or higher at any age is cause for a visit to the doc
• A high fever lasting more than two days 
• Confusion and/or hallucinating
• Inability to make eye contact
• Unresponsiveness
• Dehydration
• Any signs of respiratory distress or difficulty breathing 
• Odd or unusual behavior
• Sleeplessness
• Febrile seizures - Most common in children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, febrile seizures are convulsions that can happen during a fever, usually 100.4 degrees or higher. While they can be terrifying, brief febrile seizures generally aren't dangerous, last a few minutes, and will not cause your child to develop epilepsy or brain damage. However, they definitely warrant a call to the pediatrician. And take note that if your child has had one, then they are more likely to have another one when they get a fever in the future. If your child is having a febrile seizure, place them on a solid surface, roll them onto their side or tummy to prevent choking, take note of the start time, and call an ambulance if it lasts longer than 5 minutes, is having any trouble breathing, or turns blue as this could be signs of a more serious condition. Be sure to call your pediatrician right away when the seizure is over. 

What You Can Do For Your Little One When They Have A Fever:

• If none of the above are relevant to your little one, then try to let the fever do its job and run its course 
• Make them healing, nourishing food that will also keep them well hydrated and well nourished such as bone broth and soups
• Give them lots of fluids such as breastmilk or formula, water, and herbal teas to help them stay hydrated 
• Add coconut oil to food by cooking with it or mix a little in hot tea or soup for its antiviral and antibacterial properties 
• Give them elderberry syrup to help boost their immunity - you can find it at most health food stores, online, or you can make your own
• Provide extra love and snuggles, making sure your little human is as comfortable as possible

As natural a thing as breastfeeding is, it doesn't come so naturally to all mamas and babies. As a matter of fact, breastfeeding can be downright HARD. Before I ever got pregnant I knew I wanted to breastfeed my children. I dreamt of time spent nursing my baby while we gazed into each other's eyes and formed that strong, unbreakable mama/baby bond. Breast milk is incredible, and our boobs are so smart that they can change our milk to meet our growing baby's needs. I assumed that when the time came, breastfeeding would happen easily and naturally for me. Boy was I wrong! 

At around 20 weeks pregnant I started leaking colostrum. I took this as a sign that I was going to have an excellent milk supply which made me so happy! My milk came in quickly after my son was born, and at birth he latched on right away, but his latch wasn't perfect. The lactation consultant that came to see us in the hospital wasn't of much help. On of my nipples was a bit flat so she handed me a nipple shield and told me to start using that to help him get a good latch. Soon it became incredibly painful, and I was nursing him 24/7 and he still never seemed satisfied. He was gaining weight, but not as quickly as his doctor would have liked. At his two week checkup he was still slightly under birth weight, so I took him in a week later for a weight check. At that time he hadn't gained or lost any weight, he was exactly the same. I didn't see this as particularly being a problem, but our pediatrician did. He had us see a lactation consultant who advised me to STOP breastfeeding for 24 hours and solely pump and bottle feed my three week old baby in order to see what my supply was like. (This was terrible advice and began our struggle with nipple confusion.) I told her that I didn't think it was a supply issue and that I believed it was anatomical. I suspected that he had a lip tie because his top lip was always curled under rather than flanged out like a fish. No matter how many times I tried to flip his lip out, it was too tight and he would either pop off or close his mouth up just enough to curl his lip back under. Our first pediatrician blew me off when I mentioned this and said my son was just a "lazy nurser." (We have a new doc now.) The lactation consultant just kept telling me his latch "looked fine" from the outside and that it must be my supply. I saw several other lactation consultants and no one could figure out why my son was not doing a nutritive suck in order to transfer milk efficiently. At one point I was even told there was nothing more they could do to try to help us, that it must be a "psychological issue" (Really? In a three week old baby?! Please.) and I was simply handed a six pack of formula, instructed to start supplementing him, and sent on my way. I went home and cried. As many times as I suggested the lip tie, no one took me seriously ore even humored me by flipping up his lip to check. I wasn't willing to give up on breastfeeding and I certainly did not want to put my child on formula. So in an effort to continue working at breastfeeding and maintaining my supply, every day I would breastfeed for 15 minutes on each side, top him off with a bottle of anywhere from 1 -2.5 oz of pumped milk depending on how much he was able to get out of me, then pump for 30 minutes to keep up my supply. Repeat, repeat, repeat. It was exhausting. I went to a La Leche League meeting and was advised to try an SNS (supplemental nursing system) to try to encourage my son to breastfeed effectively and get rid of the bottle. To paint a picture for you, an SNS is a bottle that you fill with pumped milk or formula and hang around your neck. It has two thin tubes that come out of it which you then tape to your nipples. As baby sucks, he pulls milk from the tubes. This gives them instant gratification at the breast and is supposed to fix nipple confusion as well as help to increase milk supply due to the stimulation to the breasts. However in my son's case, as soon as the SNS bottle was empty he stopped trying.

I was getting up to pump two to three times in the middle of the night in order to keep my supply up. Regardless of my tireless efforts, I wasn't always able to pump often enough or relax enough to have sufficient let downs to get all the milk my son needed, so eventually I was faced with the reality that I would have to supplement him. This devastated me. All I wanted was to be able to breastfeed my child. I felt like I was failing him. I worried about our bond and if it wouldn't be as strong if he wasn't breastfed exclusively. I researched baby formulas extensively, reached out to friends for advice, and finally settled on giving him the best organic formula I could find. The first time we gave him formula, I cried and cried. Even though it was organic and was by far the best one available in the US (Baby's Only Organic Whey Formula) there were still ingredients in it that I wasn't comfortable with. (More on that later.) I feared he would begin to prefer formula and reject my boob and my milk all together.

Fast forward to when my son turned three months old. He had developed acid reflux and colic due to his latch issues on both the breast and the bottle. He would scream and cry in pain from his reflux and could not be laid down flat at all. He was a "silent spitter" meaning the reflux would come up into his esophagus but not all the way out of his mouth, so he would end up swallowing it back down and it would burn both ways. Poor little! He would have a fit for a couple of hours each evening and cry uncontrollably. It was heartbreaking to hear him cry in pain and not be able to fix it for him! Upon the recommendation of a dear friend, I took my son to a pediatric chiropractor to try to get some help with his tummy issues, and I mentioned that I thought he had a lip tie. He checked my son and said that yes, he did indeed have a lip tie and it was as clear as day! I couldn't believe it! Someone was not only taking me seriously, but they were agreeing with me! He referred us to a pediatric dentist who confirmed the lip tie and told us that he also has a posterior tongue tie. The tongue tie was mild enough that we could let it be but his lip tie was significant enough that treatment was highly recommended. There are two options for releasing lip and tongue ties; with a laser, or snipping it with scissors. We chose to have it lasered because there is minimal pain and bleeding since the laser cauterizes as it goes, and the healing time is a bit shorter. All that was involved was applying a little topical numbing gel and then the laser is used to release the tie. It took about two minutes and the improvement was immediate! My son was able to flange out his upper lip and he began eating full meals just by breastfeeding alone! I can't even begin to express how happy this made me feel!

It's been a month now and breastfeeding continues to improve. I can actually hear him guzzling down milk! My milk supply has gone way up and he is now barely getting any supplementation. Some days he doesn't need any formula at all (yay!) but some days he has a bit of a setback, (usually when he is very tired) and if I can't pump enough (I have never been the best pumper) then he will need a few of ounces of formula in the evening or in the middle of the night. Even though what we were giving him was the best option for baby formula available in the US, I still didn't feel good about giving it to him. So what's a mama to do? I did a TON of research and finally decided to make my own all organic goat milk formula. My son LOVES it and gobbles it right up! (See my recipe for homemade formula here) He is about 95% breastfed at this point which is a HUGE improvement! As we continue to work on breastfeeding (relearning how to suck properly when you've been doing it one way your whole life is hard work!) and weaning away from any formula, I can now feel confident that I'm giving my son the next best thing to my breast milk. (Donor milk is also a great option if you get it from someone you know and trust. The diet of the donor is important, especially if your child has any allergies or sensitivities.)

If you are struggling with breastfeeding, you're not alone! It's HARD! Here are some things that can help;

1. Listen to your mama intuition ~ if you suspect something is preventing breastfeeding from working the way it should, then you're probably right. Keep searching until you find the source of the problem. Your first inclination is probably right. 
2. Get a second opinion, and a third if necessary. 
3. Check for physical issues such as lip or tongue tie. A Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can usually diagnose them as well.
4. Check the baby's latch. Is it deep enough? Is your breastfeeding position not comfortable for you and/or your baby? Try switching it up.
5. Definitely take advantage of the La Leche League. They have monthly meetings and you can call and talk to one of their leaders for free any time. They are wonderfully helpful and, its free. http://www.llli.org
6. If breastfeeding is not an option, do your research on which supplementation is best for you. There are many options available from donor milk to organic baby formulas to making your own homemade formula. Don't let anyone make you feel badly for having to supplement your child! As mamas we are all doing the very best we can and doing what we believe is best for our baby. And feeding your baby is the most important thing, regardless.

Let me preface this post by saying that I am a firm believer that "breast is best." Breast milk is the perfect food for a growing baby, and it is truly magical how breast milk can change in order to meet the needs of our growing babies. However, not all mamas are able to breastfeed. Whether it is due to a low supply, an inability to produce milk altogether, anatomical issues in mother or baby, problems with latching, or even adoption, sometimes formula becomes necessary for the well being and survival of the baby. And thank goodness that option is available!

As I talked about in my previous post, My Breastfeeding Experience, I struggled with breastfeeding my son for the first three months of his life. I saw two different pediatricians, several lactation consultants, and no one was able to help me. I was told that my son's latch "looked fine" and that they had no idea why he wasn't doing a nutritive suck to transfer milk efficiently.

Our first pediatrician chalked it up to my son being a "lazy nurser" and handed me a six pack of liquid baby formula and told to begin formula feeding him and accept that breastfeeding wasn't working. I went home and cried. I wasn't ready to give up on breastfeeding, and was willing to do whatever it took to make sure my son got as much of my breast milk as possible. However, when he was about a month old I finally faced the fact that I was going to have to supplement my child. We were lucky enough to have my sister-in-law who had a baby three months before I did, and who's milk supply is beyond incredible. She offered to donate some of her milk to us to use as supplementation instead of formula, and we jumped at the opportunity! We tried this for a couple of weeks but my son was having a hard time drinking her milk. He would cry and have terrible gas afterwards and we had no idea why. I assumed it had to be something in her diet. (I was right, but more on that later.) So we decided to stop using her milk and try formula.

I did a ton of research (something I do often) on which were the safest, purest baby formulas on the market. I asked friends for advice, and even went as far as to order baby formula from Europe as it was by far the best one I could find. I later came to find out that when baby formula is shipped overseas it is x-rayed, which then changes the makeup of the formula...not ideal. Back to the drawing board. I finally settled on the best organic baby formula I could find that was available in the US, called Baby's Only Organic Whey Formula. At first my son seemed to be doing well on it and he certainly had no issue with the taste! But after a week or so his tummy troubles were back and worse than ever. He now had acid reflux, gas, and colic. I was finding mucus in his poopy diapers (gross) and became concerned that he had a food allergy. After many lengthy discussions with his pediatrician, stool test, and my insistence that he had a sensitivity to cow milk protein, our pediatrician finally agreed. I was instructed to cut out ALL dairy from my diet (since I was, and still am also breastfeeding my baby) and I was told to switch him to a hypoallergenic formula.

Hypoallergenic baby formulas are still made with cows milk, but go through a process to essentially "pre-digest" the milk proteins. Therefor a lot of additional synthetic crap is added into the formula to meet the nutritional standards. There is NO organic option and the hypoallergenic formulas smell (and taste) like chemicals. They are full of GMO corn products and other harmful ingredients. This was in no way going to be a long term solution for my son, but until I could figure out what else to do, I decided to try it. My son refused to drink it! (Its that bad folks.) I'd been toying around with the idea of making my own homemade formula, so I did hours of research on the subject and decided to give it a go.  And you know what? My son LOVES it and gobbles it right up! He only needs one 3-4oz bottle of formula a day at MOST now that we have mostly resoled our breastfeeding issues, so my husband gives it to him before bed and he sleeps so well! He is growing well, thriving, has an excellent weight gain pattern, and our pediatrician continues to be impressed with how healthy and happy he is!

I chose to use goat milk as the base for this formula for a number of reasons. Goat milk most closely resembles the protein, fat, and carbohydrate structure of breast milk. Goat milk is much easier for babies to digest due to the softer curds as compared to cow milk. Goat’s milk does not contain agglutinin, therefor the fat globules do not cluster together, making them easier to digest. Goat milk is also much less likely to cause an allergic reaction than cows milk (cow milk protein allergy is the most common allergy amongst babies and children) because goat milk casein is much more similar in make up to human breast milk than cow's milk casein is and contains only trace amounts of the allergen alpha S1. Many babies who can not tolerate cow milk do well with goat milk (my son included!) Goat milk is higher in many essential vitamins and minerals than cows milk such as calcium, B16, niacin, vitamin A, and potassium, but it is lacking in folic acid and vitamin B12 so it must be added in to the formula to ensure that baby is getting adequate amounts of each.

*Please note that I am NOT a doctor. I am just a mama who is passionate about holistic wellness and whole foods and wants to be sure I am giving my baby the very best nourishment I can. Please consult your pediatrician if you are wanting to start your baby on homemade formula.

Homemade Organic Goat Milk Baby Formula Recipe: (makes 32oz)

• 32oz filtered water
• 4 tbsp full fat powdered goat milk (Meyenberg is a great brand and is fortified with folic acid and vitamin D which goat milk is lacking in. You can purchase Meyenberg here) OR you can use organic, raw full fat goat milk ~ if you choose this option then only use 1 7/8 cups of water (pour two cups and remove 2 tbsp to get 1 7/8 cups)
• 4 tbsp goat milk lactose (Mt. Capra makes a good one, and it can be purchased here) OR you can use 4 tbsp organic raw turbinado sugar for carbohydrates
• 2 tsp organic raw coconut oil
• 2 tsp organic extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp organic unsulphured blackstrap molasses
• 2 tsp nutritional yeast (if your child has acid reflux then skip this ingredient)
• 1/4 cup organic liquid whey - see my post on how to make your own whey here

The following ingredients are to be added to ONE bottle per day only, NOT the entire batch:

• 1 drop baby's vitamin D3 (400IU's)
• 1/4 tsp baby probiotics
• infant multi vitamin
• infant DHA/EPA 

Heat up about 1/2 of the water enough to melt the coconut oil, pour into a blender or Vitamix. Add in all ingredients EXCEPT for the goat milk. Add in remaining water (should be room temperature) and the goat milk. Blend on low until smooth and all ingredients are fully mixed. Keep this formula stored in glass bottles with a tight lid in the refrigerator and use it within 3-4 days. If you are only supplementing your child and not exclusively formula feeding and therefor do not need to make this large of a batch (I only make about 16oz each batch) you can modify the recipe for the amount you need, or you can freeze the extra (use within 2-3 months). To heat the formula, place the bottle in a bowl of hot water until warmed. DO NOT EVER MICROWAVE BABY FORMULA as it can create "hot pockets" and burn the baby, and microwaving also depletes the nutritional value of the formula as well as breast milk.

Is your baby thriving on this amazing recipe? If so, let me know!