Babies all around the world experience diaper rash. It’s nerve-wracking for parents and painful or irritating for the baby. As a parent, you don’t want to see your child in pain, so you try to remedy the rash with healing lotions and ointments. Since many of those lotions contain harmful chemicals, it is better to use natural ingredients to soothe irritation and get rid of the rash.

Understanding Why Diaper Rash Occurs

You have to understand the causes of diaper rash if you want to prevent it. The most common cause of diaper rash is the containment of moisture, warmth, and growth of organisms within the diaper. Candida or yeast, which is present in stool, is typically the growth. This is not always the cause of the rash, though. Some children have food sensitivities or allergies to certain materials. Chronic diaper rash, for instance, is most commonly attributed to a food allergen. Finding the allergen can take time, but there are ingredients that can remedy the situation in the meantime.

Beeswax For Diaper Rash

Beeswax has numerous benefits, one of the primary ones being that it nourishes the skin. Loaded with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and germicidal properties, beeswax can help fight diaper rash and soothe the skin. While there are dozens of lotions that contain beeswax, go straight to the source and incorporate it into a homemade salve.

Calendula For Diaper Rash

The recipe for this DIY diaper rash salve calls for infused calendula oil. Traditionally, calendula flowers have been used in herbal remedies for their medicinal properties. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are especially beneficial for wounds, burns, rashes, infection, and inflammation. Research suggests that calendula is better for diaper rash than aloe vera gel, but some children may be more sensitive to it.

DIY Diaper Rash Salve

Ingredients For The Calendula Infused Oil:

• ½ cup dried calendula flowers
• 1 cup sweet almond oil

Ingredients For The Salve:

• 1 cup calendula infused oil
• ¼ cup beeswax
• 1 tablespoon marshmallow root
• 1 tablespoon chickweed
• 1 tablespoon comfrey rot
• 1 teaspoon barberry root powder

Instructions For The Calendula Infused Oil:

• Add the calendula flowers and sweet almond oil to a pint-sized mason jar.
• Make sure that the flowers are completely submerged in the oil.
• Cover the jar and allow it to sit in a sunny windowsill for one month.
• Strain the flowers and reserve the oil in a jar for your diaper salve.

Instructions For The Salve:

• Add the infused oil, marshmallow root, chickweed, comfrey root, and barberry root powder to a small saucepan over low heat. You do not want to cook the herbs, so make sure that it is very low heat.
• Let the herbs infuse for 10 minutes and then add the beeswax. Stir the beeswax occasionally until it is completely melted.
• Strain the herbs through a cheesecloth into a glass measuring cup with a pour spout.
• Quickly pour the mixture into jars or small tins for storage. Allow the mixture to harden in the tins before screwing the tops on. Store in a cool dry place and use as needed.

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These are strange times in which we are living. Empty shelves where toilet paper used to be have become a normal sight in your average store. Fighting over hand sanitizer and toilet paper is not the answer to a healthier future, people. Nonetheless, you may need to start thinking about some toilet paper alternatives if you can’t find any. We hope this post becomes irrelevant in the future, but we’d be doing a disservice if we didn’t highlight ways to keep your behind clean.

We must not forget that humans lived without toilet paper for thousands of years. It is possible to make it through life without it, especially since there are infinite modern conveniences that didn’t exist back then. That being said, people should not flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. If you do so, you can compromise the septic system and cause back-ups or additional work for septic or municipal companies. In fact, many towns are already dealing with the aftermath of people flushing the wrong things down toilets. Filling a receptacle with used toilet paper alternatives is a foreign concept for many of you, but it may be a necessary sacrifice to make.

Don’t call 9-1-1 if you run out of toilet paper. They cannot help you and it is not an emergency crisis.

If you’ve exhausted all of the grocery stores, major retailers, and online shopping, know that they will eventually have plenty of toilet paper back in stock. Additionally, watch out for price gougers online that are trying to sell packs of toilet paper for hundreds of dollars. If you happen to be running low and don’t want to keep going from store to store, increasing your risk of viral exposure, save time and learn about the following toilet paper alternatives.

Bidets

The bidet is very popular in many countries around the world, but Americans haven’t caught on to the trend yet. This is probably the number one toilet paper alternative, but they are selling more so don’t wait too long if you are considering one. From bidets that are separate from your toilet to bidets that can be added to your toilet seat, many types exist and are decently priced and easy to install. Bidets save money, trees, and water your butt. People who use bidets often find that their tushies are much happier.

Use Towels Or Family Cloth

Cloth diapers were a thing once, right? Well, some argue that they are still the only way to go. Let’s take a page of the baby playbook and use family cloth that includes rags, flannel cloth, fabric squares, and other cloth-like materials. Towels can also be another option. All you have to do is cut towels into smaller squares and use them to wipe. Keep clean towels in a basket on top of the toilet and place the used ones in an airtight, waterproof container next to the toilet. Don’t forget to use the softest materials that you can find. Old T-shirts, flannel blankets, old bed sheets, or worn out socks are great options. Wash the used cloths as you would cloth diapers.

Get In The Shower

If you are opposed to using towels and cloth, hop in the shower if toilet paper shortages become a serious concern. It is best if you have a showerhead that is attached to a hose so you can hold it in your hand. After you do your business, hop in the shower, rinse yourself, rinse off, and towel off afterwards. This method probably gets you cleaner than wiping with toilet paper anyways!

Random Paper Products

These products are not necessarily environmentally friendly, nor are they the best toilet paper alternatives. When you are looking at the last few sheets of your last roll of toilet paper and don’t have any other options, these items may come in handy. Once again, these products should not be flushed down the toilet. You may want to use:

Coffee Filters: These are relatively cheap at the store and work decently as an alternative to toilet paper.

Facial Tissues: Tissues are great for wiping and keeping your behind clean.

Newspaper: This is probably the roughest of the bunch and we don’t encourage it unless absolutely necessary.

Plants

While these are more fitted for a camping or survival scenario, certain plants make excellent toilet paper alternatives. Ideally, you want to look for soft leaves and make sure that the plants you choose are not harmful to the skin. Some of the best plants include:

Moss: Moss is very soft and typically found in damp environments. From your backyard to the forest, moss grows easily and can be useful in a pinch. Don’t forget to inspect it for bugs.

Mullein and Lamb’s Ear: These are water absorbent, fuzzy leafed plants that are very common. Keep your eyes open for them.

Corn Husks: Traditionally, corn husks were actually used as toilet paper. Green husks are soft, which is optimal, so make sure to soak dry husks in water if you use them.

There is so much that we cannot control right now, but we find reassurance in learning about creative ways to make the best of the situation.

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Hand washing is something that we are all taught to do, and so many of us have think we understand how and when to wash our hands. The truth is that most people don’t wash their hands correctly. Since one of the top recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to wash your hands during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it is integral to wash them correctly.

When To Wash Your Hands

While people are encouraged to practice social distancing as a preventative measure, keeping your hands clean is just as important. Most people don’t realize how many surfaces they touch on a regular basis, and they often forget what they touched and proceed to touch their faces. This can lead to potential infection with the germs from their hands. Keeping your hands germ-free is near impossible, but frequent hand washing can help limit the transfer of bacteria, microbes, and viruses.

Always Wash Your Hands Before:

• Preparing food or eating
• Treating wounds or caring for sick people
• Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always Wash Your Hands After:

• Using the toilet
• Treating wounds or caring for sick people
• Changing diapers or cleaning up after a child who has used the toilet
• Touching an animal or animal waste
• Handling pet food or pet treats
• Touching garbage
• Blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

How To Wash Your Hands

It’s always best to use antibacterial soap and water to wash your hands. Over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are more effective than regular soap. Follow the steps below to properly wash your hands.

• Wet your hands with clean, running water that is either warm or cold.
• Apply soap and lather the fronts and backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Some people sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice to make sure 20 seconds has elapsed.
• Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel. 

If You Can’t Use Soap And Water, Use Hand Sanitizer

Hand washing with soap and water is always the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not immediately available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the next best option. Hand sanitizers can reduce the amount of germs on your hands in many situations, but:

• They do not get rid of all types of germs
• They may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
• They may not remove harmful chemicals like heavy metals or pesticides.

Hand washing offers many benefits and adopting healthy hand washing habits can play a major role in your overall health. Additionally, make sure that children wash their hands frequently to keep them germ-free. Stay safe out there, be kind to people, and remember to wash your hands.

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Bees are incredible creatures, but bee populations have slowly dwindled in recent years. Now more than ever, it is important to support the products from beekeepers and their hives around the world. Sure, we can all purchase honey at farmer’s markets, but honey is far from the most beneficial substance that bees create. Beeswax deserves the same respect, if not more, that we give to honey because it helps the skin in so many ways. For instance, unlike petroleum jelly, beeswax doesn’t suffocate the skin; rather, it allows the skin to breathe while also providing a moisturizing protective barrier.

What Is Beeswax?

This healing substance comes from female honeybees and it is hard or breakable when cold, but soft when heated. It is a mixture of pollen, plant wax, and the secretion from the gland on the undersides of bees. Like honey, beeswax will vary in color depending on the flowers from which the honey is derived. Beeswax is commonly used to relieve swelling or skin irritation, but it also moisturizes, improves complexion, and relieves inflammation. How else can beeswax be used? Let’s explore the beauty benefits of beeswax below. How’s that for alliteration?!

Excellent Moisturizer

Beeswax is commonly found in cosmetic products because it has the ability to protect and repair dry or damaged skin. The rich vitamin A content and emollient properties help beeswax lock in the moisture and allow your skin to breathe simultaneously. The beauty of beeswax is that it doesn’t clog the pores and aids with healthy skin development at a cellular level.

Protect Against Environmental Damage

When you apply beeswax with some carrier oils like jojoba oil or coconut oil, it helps to establish a protective coating on the skin. The skin is constantly exposed to airborne toxins, be they from cigarette smoke, factory fumes, or car exhaust, and they can spawn damaging free radicals that contribute to premature signs of aging. Applying beeswax on the skin can help prevent this from happening and keep the skin looking young and supple.

Reduce Stretch Marks

Even though a high percentage of people have stretch marks, their appearance makes people uncomfortable and self-conscious. Because beeswax has the ability to protect the skin and help it retain water, it can have positive effects on getting rid of stretch marks. How does this work? According to a study that was conducted at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Korea, stretch marks are dermal atrophic scars caused by decreased collagen and skin elasticity. Since beeswax is rich in vitamin A, an antioxidant that boosts collagen production, it is beneficial for reducing stretch marks. Combine beeswax with coconut oil or cocoa butter and apply it to the stretch marks for best results.

Clears Up Acne

Due to the antiseptic, healing, anti-inflammatory properties, and high vitamin A content, beeswax is commonly used in home remedies to get rid of acne. In addition to fighting acne, beeswax contains emollient properties that contribute to a smoother complexion after acne elimination.

Soothes Eczema, Psoriasis, & Diaper Rash

It is almost inevitable for a baby to experience diaper rash at some point. The regenerative qualities and anti-inflammatory properties of beeswax work to not only decrease redness and irritation, but also to facilitate the healing process for reduced recovery time. People with psoriasis or eczema, or similar skin irritation or infection, can benefit from using beeswax to reduce inflammation and promote the growth of healthier skin cells.

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The creation of the disposable diaper can be traced back to a nun who worked in a hospital in Ohio in the 1950s. According to historians, she proposed that Procter & Gamble, a giant in the U.S. consumer goods market, should invent a replacement for cloth diapers. The reasoning behind this was to create a hygienic product that could ease the workload of mothers.

Since the creation of the disposable diaper, the industry has grown to generate $65 billion per year. Disposable diapers have expanded to countries across the globe, but the convenience of these products comes with an environmental cost. The reason for this is because disposable diapers have traditionally been made out of non-recyclable polyethylene plastic, which takes several hundred years to decompose. During the decomposition of these diapers, toxic chemicals and microplastics are released into the environment, diseasing coral reefs and killing marine life.

Babies poop about four or more times a day, and there are over 300,000 babies born worldwide every day. Until babies are potty trained, they go through hundreds of billions of diapers each year. Additionally, one baby creates about 1,000 pounds of poop a year and runs through 7,000 diapers before potty training, so there is a lot of untreated waste and non-biodegradable waste that ends up in landfill sites.

Disposable diapers made with plastics are some of the most prominent items at landfill sites in the United States and Europe. The reason diapers have become a threat to marine life is because plastic diapers have entered into countries with less sophisticated waste management systems. For instance, the population on the island of Java, Indonesia has doubled over the past 45 years, and the waterways are clogged with plastic trash, including plastic diapers, as a result.

In an effort to make environmentally and socially responsible choices when it comes to raising a child, several companies in the disposable diaper industry have developed eco-friendly, disposable diapers over the past several years. Because the average parent doesn’t want to deal with the mess of cloth diapers, the eco-friendly, biodegradable diapers may be a step in the right direction towards a healthier, less contaminated planet. In addition to the sustainable materials that are used to make the diapers, they are more effective at protecting a baby’s sensitive skin.

If you are entirely opposed to using disposable diapers, no matter how environmentally friendly they are, reusable cloth diapers are cost effective and beneficial for the planet. Even if you consider the water, detergent, and energy that is used to wash cloth diapers, you’ll still spend a third of what you would otherwise spend on disposable diapers. We aren’t advocating for plastic disposable diapers and we aren’t demanding that you only use cloth diapers. Our intention was only to present you with both sides of the equation and show you that, if you have a baby, environmentally responsible companies have created biodegradable diapers that are safer for the planet, and even safer for your baby.

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