NAPPY RASH.
Nappy rash may be caused by the chemicals and bacteria in the baby’s urine and faeces .
A combination or any one of these things can make a baby very uncomfortable. The patches of red, rough, occasionally raw-looking skin can be fairly localized or it can spread all over the buttocks, thighs and genitals. There are several simple ways and remedies in which you can ensure that your baby is comfortable and that nappy rash does not spread or become infected and thus heals as quickly as is possible.
1. Always wipe the buttocks and genitals clean, and then wash without soap and pat them really dry.
2. if baby already has a rash finish with a good covering of zinc and castor oil cream, a vitamin E cream or a neutral white barrier cream.
3. Fissan paste applied after every nappy change will prevent a nappy rash.
4. Maziena filled into a powder tin can also be used for nappy rash.
5. Make sure you do not leave baby’s nappy on for too long as this can also cause nappy rash.
6. If your baby’s nappy rash continues or gets worse please consult your doctor.

INFANT COLIC.
Babies occasionally suffer from colic, a sharp stabbing pain in the tummy which makes them cry quite uncontrollably and for no apparent reason, usually in the evenings.
As most babies are on a milk diet the most obvious reasons can be that they are bottle fed and the milk does not agree with them, or that the hole in the bottle teat is too large thus causing gulps of air to be swallowed with the milk, or it is too small and the effort of sucking hard is tiring them before they are fault fed.
Some people say that if the mother its too spicy food, particularly cabbage, beans and dhalls, this will affect her milk and give her baby a pain in the tummy.
Few people seem to really know the reason for infant colic although old wives and young doctors believe that an anxious new mother transmits her tensions to her baby thus creating a vicious circle of anxiety, alarm and anger on both sides.

Our great grandmothers, accustomed to large families and little help, would certainly have advised us not to fuss because the child would grow out of it.

REMEDIES.
• Gripe water is an old-fashioned patent medicine for babies. Anxious mothers with indigestion should also take a spoonful.
• A tsp of warm water will also help.
• Fennel seeds –saumf. Older babies suffering from wind or colic will respond well to the liquid from ¼ tsp of fennel seeds boiled in a little milk for 5 minutes then strained.
• Rooibos tea is also excellent.

WHOOPING COUGH.
Until recently whooping cough was one of the most prevalent and alarming of childhood illnesses, not only nor only because of its immediate and unpleasant effects but because of the far-reaching consequences it could have upon children’ health if they were not nursed and convalesced with care.
Small babies were and still are terribly at risk and if you have a child of school age in the same house as a baby and you know that whooping cough has been diagnosed in the area do your best to keep them separated. The first signs are a feverish cold and an unpleasant cough although the horrible whoop as they fight for air after a bout of violent coughing does not become apparent or about a week.

REMEDIES ON WHOOPING COUGH.

• Infuse 1 oz of thyme in 600ml of boiling water, strain and take with honey: 1 tbslp 4 x a daily for older children and t tsp for babies.
• Simmer I clean head of lettuce in 600ml of water for 20 minutes. Drink the liquid 3 x a day.
• Onion and honey syrup: 450g onions 225g garlic 600ml sunflower oil 150ml honey Peel and finely slice the onions and garlic and put them in a covered dish with the oil. Cook slowly in a low oven until very soft. Strain well and add the remaining ingredients. Bottle and cork. Shake before using. For children over 2 years old and up to 4 give 1 tsp 3 x a day.

SOOTHING OILS AND LINIMENTS.
• To 1 cup of olive oil or sunflower oil add 1 drop each of the following warming antiseptic essential oils: eucalyptus, pine, cinnamon, and clove. Mix together and bottle. Use to relieve congestion by massaging it into the afflicted area of nose, sinus and chest.
• Another excellent rub: 1 small bottle Vicks, a small bottle Vaseline, a small tin zambuk, a small bottle camphorated oil {1/2 of it}, a small bottle eucalyptus oil {1/2 of it}. Melt all these ingredients together and store in containers. Rub onto the chest.
• Another very useful remedy is to take: 1 cube or camphor, a tsp of ajmo and a clove. Crush the camphor into a small frying pan and add the ajmo and clove.