Nappy rash is common in infants, especially as the Aussie summer heats up!  Some babies however, have extra sensitive skin and get nappy rash time after time.  Here are some simple tips to reduce the risk of nappy rash.

The main causes of nappy rash are:

• Moisture under the nappy
• Overheating
• Friction (rubbing).

Other contributing factors include:

• Faeces, especially diarrhoea
• Cloth nappies, nappy liners, plastic pants
• Bubble baths, soaps and other chemicals

If your baby is prone to nappy rash, there are a few things you can try to help keep the nappy rash away and in turn keep him more comfortable.  Our precious babies have enough to deal with!

• Change nappies as soon as they become wet or soiled, usually about 6 times a day under 12 months of age.
   
• Use good quality disposable nappies.  They have special absorbent gel materials that draw water away from the skin to keep it dry.  They also cause less overheating and friction than cloth nappies.
   
• If you are using cloth nappies:
  - Change the nappy every 2 hours
  - Don't use plastic pants or nappy liners
  - Avoid double nappies
  - Machine wash and thoroughly rinse in hot water to remove laundry products
  - Tumble dry to make nappies softer
   
• Some people recommend to clean the bottom gently with cotton wool or a soft cloth dampened with warm water or a non-soap cleanser such as sorbolene.  Others recommend commercial wet wipes as they can sometimes clean his bottom better.  Use your discretion on this one and if the commercial wipes are irritating him, use warm water instead. 
   
• Use a greasy barrier cream at every nappy change to protect the skin e.g. zinc and castor oil or petroleum jelly.  If a product stings him, try a different one.
   
• Avoid soaps, bubble baths, perfumed products, antiseptics and talcum powder.  I realise talcum powder is an old favourite, but it can be irritating.
   
• Nappy-free time daily can be helpful.

Rashes comes in all different shapes and sizes, so if your baby develops a rash which persists for more than a few days, see your doctor.  I'd much rather the doctor told me "it's just nappy rash" than let it develop into something nasty!

Not all babies like being wrapped, and it's important to listen to the cues your baby is giving you as to whether this is going to work for you or not.  However, if you can convince her to be wrapped, there are a number of benefits to wrapping a baby.  Not only does it provide comfort for a newborn baby, it can also reduce the risk of SIDS by keeping her on or back during sleep.  DO NOT wrap your baby if you are sharing a bed with her as this will overheat her which is a common cause of SIDS.

Here are some easy instructions on how to wrap your baby:

1) If you are using a cotton or muslin wrap, fold the top of the wrap down (about 20cm), and lay her on the wrap with her shoulders shoulders in line with the fold.

2) Put one of baby's hands under the fold;

3) Bring the right hand edge of the wrap across her body and tuck it under her legs.

4) Put the other hand under the fold;

5) Bring the other left hand edge of the wrap across her and tuck in under her back.

6) Fold any extra length up and under her legs. The wrap should be firm, but not too tight.
 

Be careful to ensure the wrap is not covering any part of her head, ears or chin.  This will cause her to overheat and obstruct her breathing.

What should baby wear under the wrap?

During the summer months, she will only need a singlet and nappy under her wrap.  During the coller months, dress her in a light weight suit - do not use anything heavier, she will overheat which is a common cause of SIDS.  

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
SIDS is short for 'Sudden Infant Death Syndrome' and used to be called 'cot death'. It means the sudden and unexpected death of a baby from no known cause. SIDS is the most common cause of death in babies between one month and one year of age. Most babies who die of SIDS are under six months.
For more information on SIDS, visit www.sidsandkids.org/safe-sleeping/

Cancer affects everybody in some way.  It affects mums, dads, gradmothers, grandfathers, babies and children.  According to the Cancer Council, one in two Australians will be diagnosed with Cancer by the time they reach 85.  That is staggering!     I have been touched a number of times in my life by people around me diagnosed with various types of Cancer, as we all have, and the fight continues to find a cure.

Right now, South Australian's are signing for the Cancer Councils latest event, 'Ride for a Reason'.   The Bupa Challenge Tour offers participants to ride distances between 33km to 138km, either in a team or solo, to raise money for the Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project.   

So why not get a team together and join the fun of what promises to be a fantastic event.  If you can't participate, sponsor your friends, or just leave a donation for this ever increasingly worthy cause at www.rideforareason.com.au

For further information on the tour, contact the Cancer Council in South Australia on 08 8291 4111, or go to www.rideforareason.com.au to register.

The warm weather is now upon us which means more outdoor activities in and around water.  Latest figures released from the National Drowning Report (1 July 2010 to 31 June 2011), show that 42 children under the age of 14 drowned in the last 12 months*.   Situations varied from the bath, pool and other outdoor bodies of water.

We want all of our families to enjoy swimming this summer and more importantly, as the slogan goes "swim and survive"!

Here are some important things to remember to keep your loved ones safe around water this summer:

1. Make sure your children are always supervised around the water, and if they are under the age of 5, always keep them at arms length.
2. Familiarise your children with the water and teach them to swim at an early age.  Contact your local swim school for information on lessons - it's money well spent!!
3. Don't underestimate the hidden dangers surrounding rivers, lakes and dams.  Check out the conditions and make sure it's safe before anyone enters.
4. Provide adequate barriers around water at your home.   These should be checked regularly to ensure safety at all times of the year.  Each Australian State have their own rules regarding pool fencing.  Contact your local council for the correct requirements in your area.
5. Everyone responsible for a child should learn CPR in case of accidents. 

For more information on water safety go to www.swimkids.com.au

We wish you all a fun and safe swimming season.... and don't forget to SLIP, SLOP, SLAP!

* Information released by the Royal Lifesaving Society of Australia.

Summer is here and many of us are starting swimming lessons...yipee!! I just love this time of year!  Teaching your baby to swim is giving him a life long skill that provides water safety, fun and fitness for life! 

Most people start baby swimming lessons at around 6 to 12 months of age as the water still has some association to being in the womb.  Starting your baby too late, ie over 18 months, can make it harder for him to learn breath control and adjust to water on his face etc.

When you take him to swimming lessons, swimming nappies are a good idea.  While it might be optional at your pool, they'll stop floaties, and let's face it, no-one wants to swim around where someone else's baby has done a Number 2!  Now, I do mean actual swimming nappies.  These are designed for the pool, whereas normall nappies just fill up and expand in the pool which makes them very uncomfortable for him to learn to swim.

You can get your baby used to water on his face long before you start swimming lessons.  The earlier the better really.  If you've been playing around with water at home from early on, he'll have a much easier time when it comes to being in the pool (and you won't waste your first few lessons because he doesn't like getting water on his face).  Splash the water around when he has a bath and start running water down his face as early as you feel comfortable.  Give him a cue, so he knows it's coming, "Ready..1...2...3...go" then poor a small amount of water from the back of his head, to the front so it runs down his face.  Let him splash around in the bath and get used to the water, if you make it fun, he'll already be confiident when he gets to the pool. My babies have both loved being in the shower and not been bothered by water splashing on their faces, so I had it pretty easy really, but the sooner you get him used to water on his face, the easier swimming lessons will be for you both.

My biggest tip for getting your baby into swimming would be to be confident yourself.  I found it hard to put my first daughter's head under the water for quite a while and I can see now that me being unsure and not wanting to "push her too much" just prolonged her learning to swim.  It's completely normal though, we're all a bit more delicate with our first babies, but I assure you, if you're confident, he will be too.

Of course, swimming laps this season, might be aiming a bit high, but he'll be enjoying the water and you will have set him up with great skills to be increased upon on next year. 

Try to spend some time with him outside your lesson having fun in the pool and doing the same things as in your lesson.  As with anything else, to learn something new, babies need repetition and the more he's in the pool, the more he'll retain.

So, find your local accredited trainer and get swimming and have fun!