| Diapers | | | | Diaper Rash |
| Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of having a | | | | Diaper rash is a term covering various different rashes |
| baby, but there's no escaping it. And you'd better get | | | | which will vary in severity from a mild redness to |
| used to it - you'll be changing around 5,000 diapers | | | | severe raw ulcerated skin. |
| before baby's potty trained! | | | | Most rashes are caused by exposure to soiled |
| The first question is whether to use disposable diapers | | | | diapers. As urine and faeces break down ammonia is |
| or reusable. In a nutshell, disposables are less trouble, | | | | released, this is toxic and burns baby's delicate skin. A |
| more expensive, and not environmentally friendly. | | | | diaper will also prevent air circulating and retain heat, |
| Your Granny wouldn't recognise a reusable diaper | | | | both of which will aggravate the problem. |
| today. Gone are the cotton squares and safety pins, | | | | If your baby develops a rash, change diapers |
| replaced by shaped cotton inside a waterproof outer | | | | frequently and keep the area clean and dry. Avoid the |
| cover and fastened with velcro. Flushable liners hold | | | | use of soap and wipes, wash with warm water and |
| solids. Reusables will save you the best part of $1000 | | | | cotton wool balls. Barrier creams are available from |
| and that's after including the cost of washing. | | | | your pharmacist. |
| If you want to be kind to the planet but can't face all | | | | Perhaps one of the best treatments is fresh air: let |
| the washing, another option is to use a laundry service: | | | | baby's skin breathe as often as possible. |
| the cost will be about the same as using disposables. | | | | |