Diaper Rash - What Kind is it?

Diaper rash is painful! I remember my sons getting it and they would cry when I would change them. It really broke my heart.

There are many things you can use that help. It's very important to know what kind of rash it is. That's right there is more than one type of rash.

They can get a rash from a yeast infection, disposable diapers they are using, commercial wipes, new foods and teething. That's a lot to think about!

Here are step by step things to try:

1. Ditch the commercial wipes. At least while they have the rash. They put a lot of chemicals in those things that can give them a rash. Alcohol is in many of them. Alcohol dries the skin out. 
2. Make your own wipes. I have many recipes for making your own wipes, you can find them here. I often used just a baby wash cloth and water to clean them.
3. Check the ingredients in your diaper rash cream! Many contain a moisture barrier. Little baby parts can't breathe. They can actually make a baby's bum worse. Have you ever used a deodorant that didn't work? It's the same type of thing with diaper rash cream. Check for scents used. This stuff stays on their skin. It shouldn't have added ingredients to make it smell better.
4. Mom4Life carries a product called Magic Stick. It's a petroleum-free formula that is safe with both disposable and cloth diapers. It's made with natural and organic ingredients. All the ingredients I have heard of! Remember they have free shipping!
5. There is also a homemade recipe that my doctor told me about that worked GREAT. It's one part Milk of Magnesia and one part Ponds Cold Cream. I would just mix a small container 1/2 way, pour the other ingredient in up towards the top and mixed it with a popsicle stick. My babies never cried when I used this. It's more for a yest infection. A really red, inflamed bum. 
6. Sometimes they can get a rash from introducing a new food. Berries are so good for you, but can be hard on the system at first. Introduce them slowly. Even with toddlers and preschoolers, when berry season has started. Nursing moms may need to watch spicy foods. Just watch the amounts. Introduce foods slowly to babies.
7. Cutting teeth is the worst! Many call it "Battery Acid Poop". It smells that bad! Change them often! Let them have naked time. I had one blanket I could care less if they soiled it. I just washed it. They could hang out naked, while getting some needed tummy time.
8. Is it their diaper? If they are allergic to chemicals in a diaper they will be red all over. Sometimes it's a band of red that goes across their belly. That when you know to switch brands. Every once in awhile babies are allergic to every brand that's put on them. I have a nephew that was like that. She moved to cloth diapers. They sell some great cloth diapers here. Their diaper products are all marked down right now!
9. If in doubt call your baby's doctor. They should be able to answer your questions. 

Breastfeeding a Toddler

I used to get the question, "When do you plan on finishing the whole breastfeeding thing?" My response was always, "I'm not sure."

I think it depends on when mom is done and when baby is done. Some babies decide that they are done with breastfeeding as soon as they get comfortable with a sippy cup. They are just too much on the move to stay still to breastfeed. I've heard various reasons moms choose to stop. One mom I knew wanted to start taking meds again for her own migraines. She couldn't do that, while breastfeeding. Another mom I knew just felt done. All the above are good reasons to wean from breastfeeding.

The important thing is that you and your child need to decide when to end breastfeeding. It's not for anyone else to decide.

Here's a Infographic for  The Breastfed Toddler. put on by The Alpha Parent.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

I want to cover just some of the benefits of breastfeeding. There are a lot more then I'm going to mention. Sometimes, even with breastfeeding, genetics wins. My mom breastfed me, we had dogs when I was young, and I'm still the Queen of Allergies.

Benefits:

• The bonding time between Mom and Baby is truly amazing!
• It helps reduce Mom from getting breast cancer.
• It helps reduce allergies, asthma and other respiratory illnesses for Baby.
• It helps reduce ear infections for Baby.
• It helps Baby with brain development.

Moms:

Please remember to do regular breast exams. I just went to a funeral this morning for a 23 year old that passed away from breast cancer. She wasn't even able to breastfeed. Sometimes genetics and rare sicknesses win. Her dream was to have children. Her life was short. In her honor I'm putting up a video to help spread the word.

There are Many Uses for BabyLegs

One of my favorite baby items that I still use today are BabyLegs.

Here are the things I used them for:

• An alternative for pants- They make diaper changing, so easy. Since babies have a lot of onesies, it becomes time consuming just to get to their diaper. BabyLegs keep their legs warm just like pants do. They don't need to be pulled down when a diaper is being changed.
• Leg warmers- In freezing cold weather I'd put on BabyLegs, pants went over them, socks stayed up, a bodysuit, and a coat. I live in Nebraska; we have four true seasons. Winter can be frigid. Dressing in layers is great. When we got to our destination, the BabyLegs got pulled off. I didn't even have to take my son's pants off.
• Arm warmers- I've used BabyLegs as arm warmers for my older kids all the way up to myself. In-between seasons when it's cold in the morning BabyLegs go on the arms. When it's warm in the afternoon they get pulled off.
• No rug burn- My oldest had a funky crawl. He was getting sores on the one leg he'd drag. When I started putting BabyLegs on him the sores went away!
• Club foot treatment- My nephew had a club foot. Getting pants up and down with the cast and the clunky brace he had to wear was challenging. My sister had him wear BabyLegs during the time frame of his foot being treated. 
• If a baby gets hospitalized- I must of been early on the scene with BabyLegs. I had one son that got a staph infection and my other got Meningitis. All the tubes and wires they were hooked to made changing them difficult. I didn't have one nurse that had ever seen BabyLegs before. The nurses LOVED my son's BabyLegs! 

Mom4Life carries a wide selection of BabyLegs for both male and female.

 Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. Mom4Life provided me with a pair of BabyLegs.

What to Buy New Moms

If you don't know what to get a new mom, here are some ideas:

Hooter Hiders - I just love the name of the product Hooter Hider!

Breastfeeding is so rewarding for both Mom and Baby. It's truly a bonding experience. The challenge is when a baby is hungry and they are both out and about. A Mom's life shouldn't have to stop and revolve around feedings.

Hooter Hiders really helps because it allows the Mom to cover up during feedings, it contains a pocket and it's packaged in a reusable, matching bag.

LilyPadz - Silicon Nursing Pads.

They and breathable and flexible. They are made out of the same material in most baby bottle nipples.

I love that they can stick to the Mom. The purpose for this is going braless while sleeping. How about swimming? They protect during that time to. Get this, they are invisible. No awkward moments like I had - see round discs in my shirt!

I'm bigger chested and these fit past DD!

Belly Bandit - This product is meant for Mom's to use to get back to their before pregnancy weight.

I wish I had this product!

Not only does this product help reduce uterine swelling, it decreases bloating caused by water retention, and gives additional support for Mommy’s tired legs and back.

Since it helps with the back, it also provides better support for breastfeeding. It literally makes the Mom have better posture. 

What did you get for your Mom on Mother's Day?  I brought my Mom flowers and my sisters and I will be taking her out to dinner next week. My preschooler had a Mother's Day Tea for me. He sang me songs, we read books that were Mom related, he made me a muffin. The thing he was most proud to give me were flowers in pot he decorated. My Kindergartener made me a necklace out of clay, he wrote me the sweetest note: Dear Mrs. Apel, {I have no clue why he put Mrs. Apel. He calls me, "Mom."} I love you so much that your heart is makeing {making} fairy tales. Love, Mica  My boys on Mother's Day. My oldest decided to dress himself. Usually he picks out his shirt and I pick out the bottoms. His clothes gave me a good smile. I didn't make him change right away. My youngest looked oh so cute! Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. Mom4Life provided me samples of Peppermint Lip Balm.

What to Expect When You're Expecting

This movie is coming soon!

Featured in the movie is Britax strollers! Graham Go! is hosting a giveaway, to giveaway one booster seat from Britax.

I have two boys. I thought I could just have the booster seats go from one child down to the other. Well the fabric on one ripped. Check the dates on your cars eats often! They only last 5 years. That's not a very long time. It's best to be on the safe side!