Baby Care part 2

Nappy Rash Treatment
Nappy rash can be so uncomfortable for a baby. If you've tried all the proprietary brands and they've not worked, try putting 1-2 teaspoons bicarb of soda in the bath water after you've washed baby's face. The bicard soothes baby's bottom and helps prevent nappy rash coming back. If the nappy rash is causing serious discomfort you can use bicarb at every nappy change. Dissolve 1 teaspoon in a cup of warm water and apply it to baby's bottom. Apply the mixture around the whole of the affected area and allow the mixture to air-dry naturally.

Cradle Cap Treatment
To effectively remove what can be unsightly cradle cap, mix together some bicarb and water. Smear it on the affected area about an hour before bath time then rinse the mixture off in the bath. Adding some bicarb to olive oil is another cradle cap treatment. Mix the two together and apply to the affected area by smearing it on. It is quite messy so use old sheets if you can. But it is effective at removing cradle cap.

Thrush In The Mouth
If baby is suffering from thrush in the mouth, which is quite common in infants, mix together 1/4 teaspoon bicarb 1 cup water and a drop of liquid soap. Using a spotlessly clean cotton cloth dab the mixture on to baby's tongue 4-6 times a day. It won't hurt baby.

Cuddly Toys
Bicarb works on soft cuddly toys just as well. Put them in a clean pillowcase and add some bicarb, which you should sprinkle over the toys. If you give them a good shake they'll come out smelling as fresh as daisies (bicard absorbs odours, hence you can sprinkle on carpets and hour before vacuuming for a cheap alternative to carpet deodoriser)


Nappy Bucket
If you use terry or cloth nappies, the bucket will inevitably get smelly. Sprinkle some bicarb (about 1 cup) over each nappy as you add it to the bucket. This will deodorise the smells until wash day.