Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Nappy rash after time with MIL

7 replies

Strawbe · 19/09/2018 19:58

Not strictly a wwyd, more of a how would you do it.

MIL is very kindly helping us out with childcare once a week now I'm back at work. She is a doting grandmother and absolutely adores our DS so is really enjoying spending time with him and it's a great help to us. However, the last 3 times he has spent the day with her, DS has come back with nappy rash. He doesn't usually suffer with nappy rash (only ever had it after spending the day with her) and generally his skin doesn't seem overly sensitive. I provide wipes, cream and nappies so I don't think it's resulting from any different products she could be using. Today I made note of me number of nappies I sent with him - only one was used (I sent him with 8!) even though he was with her from 7am until 5:30pm, so it's fairly clear she isn't changing him often enough. As this is now a regular arrangement, we obviously need to address it.

MIL is a lovely lady, but in my opinion can be a bit prone to taking things too personally or being a little dramatic. We generally get along well, but my feeling is that she will feel attacked/criticised if we put it as simply as above. How would you broach the subject so as to cause minimal upset but ensure the message is delivered effectively? I don't want to upset her at all, as we are very grateful for her help - but equally I'm not happy about DS being left in dirty nappies all day!

OP posts:
sleepismysuperpower1 · 19/09/2018 20:01

you could play it as if you were trying a new routine. 'would you mind checking if he needs a change every hour, we have got into a new routine and want to keep it going.' i don't see how she could take offense to that really

DrinkingRelated · 19/09/2018 20:03

Is she giving your baby juice? That used to bring about nappy rash in my children.

Krapom · 19/09/2018 20:07

Talk about nappy rash but don’t make it about her. “We’ve noticed that he’s been a bit more prone to getting nappy rash recently - have you noticed, too? Anyway, we’ve been setting a timer on our phones and changing his nappy every hour and a half and it’s made a big difference, so could you do that too? I know it sounds like a fuss but it’s working and it’s such a shame for him when it gets sore. Thanks so much. This is why it’s good having family look after him - we know we can rely on you for this kind of thing ....”

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Socksandshoes · 19/09/2018 20:07

I would just say ‘he’s really suffering with nappy rash at the moment. We’re trying to stop him from getting sore so he will need changing more regularly. There are 8 nappies and some cream in his bag’

There’s no blame implied there but it is also clear that you will know if she hasn’t done what you asked.

Redken24 · 19/09/2018 20:10

Just say he seems to have nappy rash - doctor said to check every hour and not to let him sit in wet/dirty nappies because it can get really bad fast.

olderwhynotwiser · 19/09/2018 20:26

When I was a young mother it was very easy to know when a baby needed changing because nappies were immediately obviously wet after baby had wee'd. Today's nappies are amazing in making baby appear dry even when not. Maybe MIL hasn't grasped the change from her day and doesn't realize when baby is wet. Maybe you could introduce this in conversation maybe talking about changes since her day.

Strawbe · 19/09/2018 20:32

Thanks all. Agree a more generalised approach here is probably best at first. May drop in a few comments at the weekend when we see her about him having a sore bottom, then it won't be a surprise when I drop him off next week and she will hopefully be more aware.

Drinkingrelated - hadn't thought of this. She definitely has the ability to be a 'lovable rogue' so I wouldn't put it past her!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.