Great baby-friendly home remedies
Cuts and scrapes, bites and rashes are all a regular part of being a child and choosing the right cream or bandage to treat the various ailments can be perplexing. Back in the day, parents didn’t have to worry much because grandma’s advice was free, and it included various home remedies that worked just as well or even better than store-bought ones.
While your doctor will warn against using all recommended remedies out there, there are others which have stood the test of time and work when your little one gets into a minor or major scrape. Here are a few from the experts — moms:
Diaper rash
Diaper rash is, as the name suggests, a rash in the diaper area that comes from the use of diapers — whether you’ve left them on too long, or are using the wrong brand.
When your baby has this problem, the first instinct is to do damage control — to ensure that you wipe the buttocks and genitals clean and then wash them without soap and pat them really dry, leaving the buttocks to air out as much as possible. But did you know that home remedies like vinegar can work for stubborn diaper rash? Vinegar, diluted with water in a warm bath, helps, trust us. Just dunk baby’s bottom in the solution, dry as usual, and watch the rash go away in a day or so.
Burns
When baby gets near that stove or iron that you’ve been yelling at him non-stop about, don’t worry about a minor burn. Did you know that regular old whole milk can help? Just soak the burned area in milk for 15 minutes or so, or apply a milk-soaked washcloth to the area. It stops the pain and helps with the redness.
Skin rash
Your baby will get a rash or two during her young years, and whether blamed on eczema or the heat, rashes can be a nuisance. Did you know that diaper rash cream does wonders for rashes, bites, whatever? Just slather it on and watch the rash go away. We’d, of course, suggest that you check with your doctor about the exact cause of the rash, before trying home methods.
Bites and stings
Insect bites can be a nuisance and the red angry marks and bumps on your child’s skin is not a sight you want to see. But don’t sweat it, you can apply aloe vera gel to the spot. For those pesky mosquito bites, mix a bit of baking soda with a bit of water to form a paste. Apply directly to mosquito bites.
Diarrhoea
Most times you go to the doctor, your child will be given rehydration fluid to replace that fluid lost. But did you know you can make your own? It’s simply a tinge of salt and a small amount of sugar added to boiled water. However, ensure you carefully monitor the symptoms to see if you will need to call in the experts.
Teething
Babies get fussy during this period and will cry a lot, but you can help make this transition a little easier on both of you by giving the baby something hard to chew on. One thing that helps, especially when the time is hot, is to freeze the teething rings which also helps in the heat.
Cradle cap
It’s one of the more unsightly things that come with your new baby. Did you know that the same anti-dandruff shampoo that works for you can work for baby too? If you’re sceptical about trying dandruff shampoo in it’s pure form, consider diluting either with water or baby shampoo.
