DIAPER RASH CURE:
Coat your baby's bottom with a solid vegetable shortening; it's a lot cheaper than brand name diaper creams and usually works just as well. If baby's bottom is particularly sore, spread on diaper instead of on baby's bottom. Then fasten diaper as usual, and shortening or cream will be applied painlessly.

DIAPER RASH:
Thanks to Jennifer for this Frugal Baby Tip!
I would like to share one of my ideas for preventing diaper rash and chaffing. I use aloe vera either the fresh plant or the extract bought at the pharmacy or health food store. It saves money and is a great barrier cream. It also works great on teething rash around the mouth, as it is not harmful to swallow. I'm sure it works great on the cuts and scrapes for everyone else in the house gets.

DIAPER RASH:
Thanks to J. Persimmon for this Frugal Baby Tip!
Breast milk applied to the affected area will clear up diaper rash - really!!!!!

MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL DIAPER SALVE:
You can make this simple, yet effective salve right in your own kitchen. Heat 1 cup olive oil and 3/4 cup chopped herbs in a stainless steel, enameled or ceramic pan. Simmer at low for 30 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon occasionally. This helps to extract the herb essences and keeps it from burning. Cool slightly, strain out any chunks of herbs remaining. Return oil to pan and add 1/4 cup of grated beeswax. Stir gently to melt wax (you may need a bit of gentle heat to do this). Place a drop on a plate and freeze for a few minutes to see if it hardens. If it doesn't, add more beeswax; if it's too hard to spread on your skin easily, just add a bit more oil. Store in a jar, labeled with ingredients and date.
Suggested wild herbs to gather: cottonwood buds (late-fall or winter), pussy willow bark (early spring), chickweed, yarrow and plantain (look in your garden or lawn!).
Additional Uses: chapped lips and hands, scrapes from fall, minor burns, sunburn and bug bites.

FRUGAL BABY WIPES:
Thanks to J. Buffett for this Frugal Baby Tip!
I prefer to use facial tissues for my baby's bottom rather than the homemade baby wipes to save money. I have a squirt bottle filled with 2-3 tablespoons baby wash, 2-3 tablespoons mineral oil (baby oil) and water. I squirt his bottom then wipe with the dry tissues. Facial tissues are softer and much less expensive than paper towels (Puffs - 300 for $1.25) and I don't have to bother with cutting the paper towels in half (which can get quite bothersome).

FRUGAL BABY WIPES:
Thanks to Julia for this Frugal Baby tip!
Use old and stained diaper liners and/or diapers as bum-wipes. Store damp cut-up pieces in an old commercial wipe box or a Tupperware® container (leave lid slightly ajar to avoid mustiness). You can use either plain water, mild soap and water (very dilute, not my top choice) or witch hazel to dampen your "wipes". This saves you having to stop by the sink on the way to the change table. You can also keep plain water wetted wipes handy, use a spray bottle with mild soapy water and then rinse with the plain water wipes. We then toss'em in the pail and wash with the diapers.

HOMEMADE BABY WIPES:
Thanks to Sherri for this great Frugal Baby Tip!
An idea for homemade baby wipes is to get a Rubbermaid container, with a tight fitting lid, and fill it with dry cotton squares (or rounds), the kind you use for removing your make-up. Then add a few squirts of baby oil, and fill the container with warm water, close the container until you need a fresh wipe. They work just as well as the store bought wipes, but are cheaper, and this way you can be sure of what is touching your baby's skin.

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