my 16 day old baby has devoloped a pretty bad diaper rash. I have baby lotion, baby powder, and some diaper ointment from the store. What's the best thing to use?
A lot of those lotions and whatnot are irritating for a tiny bum... I used a plain wet cloth to wipe my babies' bums, and try to let the air get at it...if it got bad I would use a zinc cream, like Desitin.
My honey (grown-up, I mean...) had basically a diaper rash recently from working so hard lately, full-speed all day, and getting really sweaty. It was almost to the point of bleeding and when a coworker noticed him walking funny she recommended desitin. I got some for him, and it seems to be clearing up pretty fast. So I know the stuff works, I just wouldn't know about using it on a babe that young... Hope she feels better soon though!
This is a silly question, but what kind of diapers are you using? My daughter developed rashes from 8 brands of disposable diapers before I finally switched over to cloth diapers. Within three days of switching, her little bum "magically" cleared up. I found fresh-air time, super frequent diaper changes and Burt's Bees rash ointment to help her the most. love, mom
Lot's of air! Let the baby lay around on a towel for a while and air out (without a dipe on). You are using cloth diapers right? What are you washing them in? YOu may need to change her more often. Rashes are part of the territory. A nice thick zinc oxide (desitin) works well.
yeah I was using just some cloth with warm water on it to wipe her, but since this bad rash (it's BAD) my mom suggested I use these ultra sensitive wipes she bought from the store which are pretty thin and aren't very saturated. last night I let her air out for a few hours on a towel and I got peed on a few times and then I put some of that zinc cream on her with a diaper before we went to bed. yeah maybe I'll get some of that. I use Purex? yeah I don't think I changed her nearly enough as I should have, but I didn't realized it would be a problem until now. I live pretty much alone (with grandparents, but they are old and can't do much and i don't see them a whole lot) and my mom doesn't really want to help me out at all so I don't really have any help with anything and I don't know a whole lot. it's tough. this computer helps me more than anything!
In place of the purex to clean your diapers, use vinegar and baking soda in the wash. They'll clean and disinfect without leaving a smell or even a residue. And you don't need much.
Try using an unscented detergent and don't use desitin with cloth diapers! It will make them smell like fish - there is cod liver oil in desitin and it ill ruin your diapers!
I love Desitin for regular diaper rash. (Never use Petroleum Jelly, it seal stuff in.) If the rash has a clearly defined edge, red bumps, is raised and may have a bread like smell and the baby may have white bits on her mouth OR you have sore nipples or a yeast infection, it may be a Thrush Infection. This can be treated with a prescribed antifungal. (No, vinegar does not work, and it burns the baby's butt like heck) If your nipples are also sore, and/or the baby has white patches in her mouth, you will need an internal antifugnal for BOTH of you. Diflucan is the very best treatment. But, you and the baby need ORAL treatment for at least 3 days (NO one pill cures here.) Preferably a week. This drug is safe for the baby and safe for you to take while you are nursing. I have a "tear off" sheet on Thrush if you need more info. I can post it. If 24 hours of Destin plus lots of "naked time" for the baby doesn't help, or your nipples are sore, it is time to start thinking thrush. (And no, eating yogurt will not cure it. All that does is introduce your baby to Bovine Proteins that she doesn't need. These actually DO go through the milk, while the drug does not.) Changing every 90 minutes or so is also a good way to keep the butt clean while fighting any type of diaper rash. If the baby poops or pees during 'Naked Time" make sure to wash her carefully, with warm water, perhaps with some Tea Tree Oil and a small amount of Dr Bronners Baby Hemp Soap. (Just a few drops of the soap. And rinse it off after.) I hope your baby is feeling better soon.
I'm gunna go out on a limb here and be different from everyone else....I use Penaten cream. I love it. leane has NEVER had a rash with it. There was one time when we ran out, and all I had was vasaline. I let her bum stay open as long as possible, but when I had to put a daiper on and put some vasaline on with it, she got a HORRIBLE rash. I hate that stuff. I went out and bought some penaten cream asap and it cleared right up. I've never heared of this destin stuff.....what is it?
Desitin always makes my babies' rashes worse. It has perfume in it, and we are very very sensitive to artificial fragrances. I have to read labels and find a zinc oxide ointment without fragrance (not an easy task). I also make my own diaper rash ointment with chamomile and comfrey that works better than most anything else I've ever tried. We had the same problems with disposable diapers, and cloth diapers if they aren't completely rinsed very well and if we have used certain laundry detergents. Even fabric softener left behind in the dryer when my mom comes over and does some of her wash in our machine will build up on diapers and cause irritation. Watch for food allergies. They will cause redness and irritation. Thrush/yeast too. Use fleece or wool covers instead of non-breathable PUL wraps or plastic pants, or just go without a diaper cover when home (you just have to be careful to change the diaper the second she wets it).
The one time Dakota had a rash that I couldn't clear up the doc reccommended something called Beudreau's Buttpaste. (I know that's not spelled right.) It worked great. Cleared the rash in 24 hours. Also, like others have said, lots of air. Kathi
cleaning the baby with cloth and water is best. Wipes perpetuate rashes. If it does appear to be thrush/yeast, you can use any over the counter cream miconazole (like one would get for a vaginal yeast infection). A friend who worked in NICU said they mixed up a combo of miconazole, zinc based ointment, and a little petroleum jelly for the babies.
