Even though this is baby number four, we have gone the cloth route for the first time. One thing I LOVE is the cloth wiping. Based on cost and environment alone, I'd never go back to solely using disposable wipes. But truly the greatest advantage is the beautiful baby bottom left behind.
We went through a period of serious diaper rash his whole first month, while I was using organic cotton balls and plain water. So I started experimenting with different combos of natural ingredients to find a good homemade cloth wipe solution, and this is the one that finally made a world of difference. Literally within a few diaper changes any sign of a rash was completely gone, and has never been an issue since! Obviously every baby's skin reacts differently, but I just love this!
One batch lasts me about 2-3 days.
Mix:
1 cup distilled water
2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
1/8 teaspoon tea tree oil (an amazing natural antibacterial with many other household uses)
Pour into some sort of squeeze bottle (like the one from the hospital), and squirt directly onto the skin, or onto the cloth wipes.
As for the cloth wipes, I made 25 or so before he was born, which for me is enough to last the two days between washes. They are about 7" square and double-sided: organic bamboo knit, and organic french terry. But even if cloth isn't your thing, consider trying a vinegar/tea tree solution for diaper rash as an alternative to your typical zinc oxide cream! It has worked wonders for me.Happy wiping!
