Baby Eczema Cure ... What Worked For Us

It's been a very dry winter. So dry, my baby's skin had paid dearly. Her skin was dry, bumpy, and blotchy. I tried all sorts of lotions and creams before finding the cure from our pediatrician. Eucerin and Aquaphor helped for a time ... and then it got really bad.

Here's what we did that finally did the trick:

• Applied Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser from the neck down for 3 minutes prior to bath time

• Added about 1 ounce Robathol Bath Oil to bath water and let baby soak in water for about 3 minutes

• Pat dry and applied Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream liberally and all over

Our doctor warned us Robathol Bath Oil was easiest found online and, of course, Amazon has it. We picked up the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream and Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser from CVS and had this first -- I used the cream before the bath oil arrived. Her skin began to clear up! We may be able to forego the Robathol Bath Oil ... I'm gonna stick with what the doctor recommended for now.

Make Baby Applesauce in a Baby Food Steamer/Processor

Making baby food isn't as hard as you think! A few simple steps using a Baby Food Maker is all it takes!

This may be TMI, but my baby was very regular ... until we introduced cereal. One ounce of breast milk and a tablespoon or so of oatmeal cereal for supper changed all that. It scared me. Is she constipated? Is this normal? She's had cereal for a while now, so ... it's time for something new. I had all intentions of introducing veggies next, but applesauce seems like a good thing to help "move things along". So, without further adieu, here's how I made applesauce!

First, you'll need some supplies/ingredients.

Baby Food Maker 

125 ml water 

3 small apples or 2 medium apples 

ice cube tray 

1. Peel, core, and cut up the apples into 1/2" pieces. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Place apples into Baby Food Maker food compartment. 
   
3. Pour 125 ml water into the water compartment of the Baby Food Maker. 
   
4. Set the Baby Food Maker to steam (takes about 20 minutes). 
   
5. Once the apples have been steamed, puree the apples. 
   

Viola! Homemade baby applesauce. I served my daughter about 1 ounce and froze the rest in an ice cube tray. The next day, I removed the applesauce cubes and put them in a labelled freezer bag for later. Remember, once you thaw any baby food, do not refreeze.

Baby Wearing - Tale of Two Carriers: Moby Wrap and Ergobaby

Baby Wearing - Tale of Two Carriers: Moby Wrap and Ergobaby

It was once easy for me to carry my baby ... when my first child was born, I was only 19 and very full of energy. Even with my second child 9 years later, I still had the ability to carry him around like it was nothing. Now, 10 years later, my back simply can't handle more than 5 minutes. To boot, my third child, a baby girl, loves for us to walk around while carrying her ... just loves for Mommy or Daddy to walk around with her much to our aching backs' disagreement.

With age also comes wisdom and knowledge. I've learned baby wearing also helps sooth fussy babies with warmth and heartbeat - which, my little girl can be very fussy at times. Furthermore, since I am breastfeeding, baby wearing has been known to help maintain my milk supply. I can also see how the closeness of the baby to me helps in development and interacting with others.

With this, I've chosen to baby wear and have found two carriers which help tremendously. My baby wearing experience is only a few weeks old and so far has been completely enjoyable.

Moby Wrap Official Website

Moby Wrap UV - Almond Blossom

The Moby Wrap is a 15 foot cloth wrapped around your body in such a manner that you can safely tuck your child inside the wraps in the front (as shown), on your hip, or on your back. Of course, written and picture instructions are included with the wrap and on their website; however, many find the video easiest to learn how to use the wrap (also on the website link above).

I only use the Moby Wrap at home. It's long and I can foresee it being near impossible to put on without it dragging all over a dirty floor at the grocery store or elsewhere. Plus, skin-to-skin baby wearing is ideal in this wrap. It's so soft, too. I purchased this from diapers.com for $48.49 which is a small sale price at the time of this post as it normally retails for $55.95.

Ergobaby Official Website

Ergobaby Carrier - Night Sky

The Ergobaby carrier is sturdy, well-designed, and extremely comfortable. Once the waist strap is adjusted, only a few steps are needed to safely have your baby in tow. Those with long hair beware of the shoulder harness buckle ... it's in the perfect place to grab some of your hair.

I've used this carrier inside and out. It's perfect anywhere and so easy to wear.

Watch out for counterfeits! I purchased mine from an authorized retailer, diapers.com for $120.00. They really never go on sale and any retailer coupon I've seen excludes Ergobaby from the discount.

If I had to choose between the two, I wouldn't. They both are extraordinary carriers and worth every penny spent on them.

13+1 Must-Have Breastfeeding Products (December 2013)

My list of top 13 14 items which I believe make breastfeeding easier (in no particular order)

Breast Pump - Medela Pump In Style® Advanced

Medela Pump In Style Advanced

At first, I was using my First Years Single Breast Pump from 2003 ... until the motor went. As I shopped around for a replacement, I learned that under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are covering breast pumps nowadays! Yay! All I had to do was contact a medical supply company (for the breast pump iteself and the completed forms for processing) and my OB/GYN (for a script and verification I had a baby). Through this process I now am a proud owner of a Medela Pump In Style® Advanced and I love it!

Lanolin Cream - Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin

Not to be confused with hand lotion ... yes, my sister used is as such when she visited us in the hospital a day after the baby was born ... although, I'm sure it works wonders for dry, chapped hands, too. Everywhere I read said nursing *should* be pain-free. Well, it's not - at least not for me. Never was. Not the first baby and not the second baby I nursed. Discovering lanolin for my ouchy boobs was God-sent. Combine with the shells below to eliminate stained clothes while experiencing the miraculous healing power covered up.

Breast Shells - Medela SoftShells (for nipple soreness and flat or inverted nipples),  Medela TheraShells (for sore nipples, flat/inverted nipples and engorgement)

Medela SoftShells

Medela TheraShellsTM Breast Shells for Sore Nipples

I only own the SoftShells; however, I can see how engorged boobies would be better suited in the TheraShells. I stumbled upon these beauties while reading up on how to heal faster and what more I could do aside from using lanolin. They clean easy and come with two sets of sponges to absorb leaks.

Nipple Shield - Medela 24mm Contact Nipple Shield (for latch-on problems, sore nipples or fast let-down)

Medela 24mm Contact Nipple Shield

Although I didn't have much use for a nipple shield, it's known to help primarily with latching issues. During my baby's one month visit, the nurse highly recommended using one in the event we would encounter such problems. Given how initially sore I was, we assumed we were having latching issues. In hindsight, I may have just needed to "toughen up".

Hands Free Pumping Bra - Simple Wishes Hands Free Breast Pump Bustier

Simple Wishes Hands Free Breast Pump Bustier

With a single breast pump, I had absolutely no need for this ... then the double pump came along. How was I going to surf the 'net while pumping? Enter the double breast pump bustier. Spectacular product and well made. It was a toss up between a Medela bra or this one. I'm a sucker for pink ... and the reviews solidified my choice. Furthermore, the bra comes with a piece to lengthen the width - bonus!

Bottles - Medela Calma Breastmilk Feeding Set with 5 oz Bottle, Medela Calma Breastmilk Feeding Set 8 Oz, Philips AVENT 4 Ounce BPA Free Natural Polypropylene Bottles 3 Pk Pink, Philips AVENT 9 Ounce BPA Free Natural Polypropylene Bottles 3 Pk Pink Flowers, Lansinoh mOmma Feeding Bottle 5 ounce 2 count

Medela Calma Breastmilk Feeding Set with 5 oz Bottle

Medela Calma Breastmilk Feeding Set 8 Oz

Philips AVENT 4 Ounce BPA Free Natural Polypropylene Bottles 3 Pk Pink

Philips AVENT 9 Ounce BPA Free Natural Polypropylene Bottles 3 Pk Pink Flowers

Lansinoh mOmma Feeding Bottle 5 ounce 2 count

Okay, so we have no idea which bottle our baby was going to take to ... we got *all* of these. Each baby is different and we still haven't gotten bottle feeding down. More on this subject to come :)

Milk Storage - Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags, The First Years Milk Storage Organizer

Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags

The First Years Milk Storage Organizer

This is where the list went from 13 to 14 ... duh, I forgot the breast milk storage bags. The storage bags are super and I have had no problems with them leaking. My freezer was a mess and before I knew better, I was freezing breast milk in the storage bags standing up. Now, the First Years Milk Storage Container and the Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags aren't exactly compatible if you freeze the bags *first* and then place them in the container. The trick is to freeze them in the container and let the contraption do its job :)

Cold/Hot Breast Therapy - Lansinoh® TheraPearl® 3-in-1 Breast Therapy

Lansinoh® TheraPearl® 3-in-1 Breast Therapy

Feel good solution for engorgement, mastitis, breastfeeding in general. I purchased two sets - one for the freezer and one for the microwave.

Nursing Pads - Lansinoh® Nursing Pads Disposable, DIY Reusable Breast Pads

Lansinoh® Nursing Pads Disposable

DIY Reusable Breast Pads

For leaks. Nuff said.

Nursing Bra - Thyme Maternity Soft Cup Lace Nursing Bra

Thyme Maternity Soft Cup Lace Nursing Bra

I needed a cup size larger at first ... it's almost time for the next size up. Thyme bras do the job and are the least expensive outta the bunch from what I've found - especially when they are on sale at Toys R Us/Babies R Us.

Nursing Privacy Cover - Eddie Bauer Nursing Privacy Cover

Eddie Bauer Nursing Privacy Cover

I have this just in case I feel uncomfortable nursing in public. Public in my case also includes in front of family members which shall remain unnamed. Some places do have nursing rooms; however, I have seen first-hand how they have been abused and used disgustingly for other reasons (such as changing a dirty diaper instead of waiting a whole 2 minutes for the changing table).

Nursing Pillow - Boppy Bare Naked Pillow with Slipcover - Pink Owl, Boppy Slipcovered Pillow - Backyard Bloom

Boppy Bare Naked Pillow with Slipcover - Pink Owl

Boppy Slipcovered Pillow - Backyard Bloom

Must, must, must have. Major help when it comes to positioning the baby for nursing - especially when they are newborn tiny. A Boppy can also be used for propping a baby and tummy time.

And of course, a baby!

DIY :: Breast Pads

finished product this tutorial

made 4 pair so far ... one pair using a serger with four layers of flannel and three pair using double overlock on a sewing machine with three layers of flannel and one layer of anti-pill fleece

DIY :: Pack 'n Play Sheet Pattern/Tutorial

Here's how I made a couple sheets for a Graco Pack 'n Play ...

 

Materials (for one sheet)

• 34" x 44" fabric
• 60" piece of 1/4" elastic

Instructions

1. Fold the fabric lengthwise and width-wise.

2. Measure and cut a 3-1/2" square from the corner (when unfolded, each corner will have a square cut out).

3. Pin and sew each corner right sides together. I used a 4-thread overlock with 

integrated safety seam on my serger; however, a straight stitch on a sewing machine will do.

 

 

4. Serge or zig zag stitch around the edges to prevent fraying when laundering.

 

5. Iron over 3/4".

6. Mark a stopping and starting point about 1" apart. I used flower head pins.

7. On a sewing machine, straight stitch about 1/4" from edge (for me, this was along the serged stitch) from the start marker to the stop marker leaving about a 1" gap to insert the elastic.

 

8. "Thread" the elastic through the opening. I've seen some use safety pins, bodkin needles, etc. I haven't had much luck with safety pins and do not own a bodkin needle ... so I improvised and used a bobby pin. To use a bobby pin, simply cut a teeny, tiny slit in the elastic about an inch back to thread the bobby pin, like so.

9. Now that the elastic has been threaded, zig zag stitch the two ends together.

10. Straight stitch over the gap to enclose the elastic.

Viola! Done!

Inspired by TUTORIAL: Crib and Toddler Bed SHEETS