Diaper Rash: Homemade Diaper Creme

Here is my diaper rash recipe - (I use Sweet Almond Oil) - you can use olive oil - but even extra virgin smells to me.

I make it in smaller batches - half the recipe and then I add a tablespoon or so of Lanolin.

Photo credit: Daddy left me alone with the nappy cream, by Hamish Darby

Viva Naturals Sweet Almond Oil

After I made it a few times I got more experimental and less strict about exact ingredients.

However, the lavender oil is a MUST for me.

I use this for everything - chapped lips, skin, elbow, cradle cap. It is similar to Weleda Calendula Cream.

CALENDULA SALVE/DIAPER CREAM
• 2 cups calendula flower

• 1 cup comfrey leaf

• 1 cup chamomile flower

• 1 cup lavender flower

• 1 litre Olive oil (or Sweet Almond Oil)

• Grated beeswax

• (Optional) Essential oil of Lavender

• (Optional) Vitamin E Oil

• (Optional) 1/2 cup marshmallow root

• (Optional) 1/4 cup myrrh gum

• (Optional) 1 cup St. John's wort flower
(it just depends on what you can find!)

Stainless Steel Boiler

1. Combine the herbs and oil in a glass jar. Cover tightly and place in a warm, sunny spot for 2 weeks. Strain through muslin or cheesecloth - squeezing tightly to get all the drops out.

Alternately - combine 1/2 the herbs with oil for 2 weeks/strain - then another half for 2 more weeks in the same oil for a stronger infusion

2. Place mixture in a double boiler and warm for 1 hour over very low heat. Strain.

3. Add 1/4 cup grated beeswax for each cup of oil. Continue to warm until beeswax is melted.

4. Check for desired consistency by placing 1 tablespoon of mixture in the freezer for a few minutes. If too soft, add more beeswax. If too hard, add more oil. (it should be easy to spread on a baby's bum but firm enough to keep its shape)

5. (Optional) Add Vitamin E oil and Lavender essential oil.

6. Store in small jars or tins.

Thanks to LJ Stewart for this Frugal Baby Tip!

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