The way a baby is made to wear a diaper is also related to the occurrence of rashes. If diapers are folded in a proper way, it could go a long way in making baby comfortable and rash-free. The following are tips for folding cloth diapers. Diapers should be washed first. A brand new cloth diaper fresh from the store should never be directly used on a baby because there is a waxy coating that prevents absorption and can be a skin irritant. Remove this waxy layer by washing the cloth diaper in hot water. Sun-dry the diaper. There are a plethora of options in cloth diapers. Some of the common types are pre-folded, padded, flat-folded, nappy style, all-in-ones, and all-in-twos. There are nappy covers, wool covers and plastic pants to cover them. Fastening can be done with modern day diaper fasteners or Velcro or pins. Let’s assume that you are using flat-fold which is nothing but a simple rectangular cloth that has an extra quilted layer down the middle for absorption. First is the Angel-wing fold. Lay the diaper lengthwise and fold the sides into the middle to form a thick layer. Fold a few inches down at the front. At the back of the diaper, fan out the sides. Place baby on diaper and pull the front up between the legs. Hold firmly, bring out the sides from back and pin firmly through layers of cloth. Take care that the pin does not rest anywhere near the baby’s skin. Next is the Bikini Twist High-cut fold. Spread the diaper flat on the table. Turn one end of it completely over so that the diaper is twisted at midpoint. Put the diaper under the baby. Pull up the front of the diaper between the baby’s legs. Pull the back corners of the diaper around the toddler, over the front covers and fasten securely. Next comes the special double-diaper for heavy wetters. This makes use of 2 diapers, one regular and the other infant size. Place the regular one and lay the infant size on top of it at the center. Fold sides of the inner one and then the sides of the regular to cover the former. Fold a few inches front up and fan out at the back to form angel wings. Place baby on top of this and proceed as instructed in angel wings fold. When you are done folding, always use a diaper cover to cover it.

Cures for diaper rash can be obtained right from home. No more drug store hassles and trauma. Whip out a concoction using the following ingredients: 1 cup Crisco vegetable shortening, ½ cup of baby lotion, ½ cup of corn starch, and 2-3 spoonfuls of bag balm. The ingredients can be mixed together. If using large quantities, they can be mixed once for long term use. Keep the mix in an airtight container and place the box in the refrigerator. Use as and when required. This home-made lotion has to be applied on the baby’s sore areas every diaper change and each time after a baby bath. The lotion ensures protection from rashes. Corn starch can also be slightly dusted on the wrapper for additional care. This has proved to be an effective diaper rash remedy if babies are allergic to chemicals and rash creams and baby wipes. Another remedy is a liquid mix of liquid antacid, desitin and corn starch. This liquid also has to be carefully stored in a covered container. The antacid helps reduce the effects of urine on the skin and hence, the baby does not get sores or red skin. Another miraculous salve is breast milk. Breast milk can be dabbed on the skin and rash is cured. Instead of using baby wipes, use warm damp cloth to apply and remove. Allowing the baby to go without diaper for about 15 minutes a day is also effective. Fresh air is a healer. If this can’t be done due to lack of time, hair dryers can be used by keeping the mode as COOL. Make sure the baby is entirely dry after every diaper change and bath. Another effective medicine is browned flour. Take corn flour in a pan or a big wok. Do not add any oil or water. Just keep stirring the flour until it turns golden brown. Store it in a dry container. Lightly dust this powder every time when changing diapers. This rash remedy works in 2 days.

Diaper rashes are every mother’s nightmare. The latest medicinal cure for diaper rash is Lotrimin. This has to be applied on the rash during every changing. It is said to be an effective diaper rash remedy as the rashes are gone within a day. The tube of lotrimin is expensive but the quantity does last a good while. Some rashes are so sore that the infant may start bleeding. However, instead of panicking, the mother should rush to the kitchen and take a generous portion of cooking lard. Unbelievable and laughable as it sounds, lard is a great rash healer. The secret to instant rash relief is fresh air. Many moms have found that when they let their babies go about without a diaper for about 15-30 minutes, several times a day, rashes are cured and their occurrence also becomes less frequent. Sometimes, tea bags can come in useful. Unused tea bags can be placed in a baby’s diaper so that the baby pees on the tea bag. This will lead to the release of a chemical that soothes the baby’s skin. However this also has a physical effect. The baby’s bottom might turn reddish brown in color.  An effective rash remedy for terrible rashes would be a home concocted lotion of corn starch, desitin and Vaseline. First, wash the baby’s sore bottom with warm water and then pat dry. Follow it with a light dusting of corn starch on the rash by making sure there is not an overdose of application. Once this is over, desitin and Vaseline have to be spread gently. Desitin is a popular diaper rash remedy because it has zinc oxide and cod liver oil as its bases. Another home cure is to put oatmeal in the baby’s bath and let the infant soak in it for about 20 minutes. Yet another popular cure is lanolin treatment. Lanolin is wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of animals that yield wool, particularly sheep. It is greasy yellow but it is water-proof. Lanolin ointment has to be applied on the rash once a day. The layer forms a waxy coating on the affected area, helps quicken the healing process and prevents re-irritation during diaper change. At nights, the waxy coating can be removed by lukewarm water and baby shampoo. Lanolin is known for its healing property of chapped lips, hands and cheeks during winter seasons.