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Original poster

Newborn with nappy rash - I don't know what to do. Help, please.

49 replies

FlashAahhAahh · 21/10/2025 15:56

I could weep, well, I am. Two week old DD. She's got nappy rash all up her bum, it's sore and the skin is open and weeping. I don't know what to do.

I've tried metanium and weleda, I've got drapolene and the mustela cream. We're using cotton wool pads and warm water to clean, and then patting dry with soft cloths. She's sat with her bum out for some fresh air and nappy free time.

But there's just constant poo and wet farts. It never ends. So it's constant wiping. Which is making it worse. I'm assuming her latch is off so she needs checking for tongue tie, but I can't get hold of the breastfeeding people till tomorrow.

We were supposed to go get some bamboo nappies as they help supposedly, but I'm covered in the newborn trifecta of baby poo, milk sick and wee so I can't go out anywhere anyway.

There's stuff all over the house, we're living in a shit tip and there's presents everywhere, which is lovely, but I can't manage to find space for. The fridge is a disgrace. I can't eat anything because I'm stressing. It's not even my first baby! Why am I getting this so wrong?!

OP posts:
PersonalPityParty · 21/10/2025 16:01

Are you slathering a really thick layer barrier cream on after every change?
DS was slathered so thickly in sudocrem that most of it was still on at the next change, so nothing could get through to his skin.
Bepanthen is also good, but you do need a thick layer of these creams on, not just a bit rubbed on or it’s pointless ime.

Onesipmore · 21/10/2025 16:04

Echoing Sudocrem put on extra thick. I would pop baby in a warm bath and give a wash with a warm flannel.As you are doing pat dry, let it air and then trowel it on thickly. Dont worry if house is a mess for now

Original poster
FlashAahhAahh · 21/10/2025 16:05

PersonalPityParty · 21/10/2025 16:01

Are you slathering a really thick layer barrier cream on after every change?
DS was slathered so thickly in sudocrem that most of it was still on at the next change, so nothing could get through to his skin.
Bepanthen is also good, but you do need a thick layer of these creams on, not just a bit rubbed on or it’s pointless ime.

I am. It's going on like a layer of magnolia emulsion. I haven't tried sudocrem yet, I was hoping the weleda would help.

OP posts:

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BarnacleBeasley · 21/10/2025 16:07

DS2 had terrible nappy rash and the normal creams didn't help. We took him to the pharmacy and they prescribed a different cream for him. That did the job for the first few months, and now he's okay with occasional sudocrem.

staybyyou · 21/10/2025 16:08

Yeah I agree with a thick layer of a barrier cream, Bepanthen is good as it’s so thick, or Lansinoh nipple cream. I don’t know if you can get hold of the yellow metanium, they’ve discontinued the good stuff and just put the basic stuff in a yellow tube to fool everyone. But the old stuff is great.

2boysm · 21/10/2025 16:10

My DC had bad nappy rash due to strong medication as a baby: we were given nappy cream with honey in it by the hospital. I also used to use cooled tea for nappy changes which seemed to help. And lots and lots of nappy free time.

givenitupnow · 21/10/2025 16:17

Epaderm ointment, in the tub, is a really good barrier cream. Can also be used for washing skin.

Keroppi · 21/10/2025 16:18

Could you maybe get a potty and catch some wees and poos in there for more nappy free time? Or puppy pads for wees.

I would also go to the GP if the skin is sore and weeping then there's a good chance its infected or fungal and normal cream won't help.

Perhaps wiping with dried cooled chamomile tea as its anti inflammatory.
You need to eat! You'll be more stressed if you can't eat properly. Order some delivery and order Tesco whoosh or whatever for nappies or creams if you need to!

House is fine you can catch up whenever! One thing at a time. Phone GP and send them some pics or video consult

Keroppi · 21/10/2025 16:20

When my littles had bad open eczema that seemed infected I did weak bleach or dettol baths. I would feel nervous about that with a two week old though! I think if I was desperate I'd try an extremely weak dettol solution wiped with cotton ball .. but maybe Google it or ask Dr first.

Devilsmommy · 21/10/2025 16:24

Is it the poo causing it? Could she have CMPA because the poo is so acidic and would absolutely cause this. No special recommendations as I only needed bepanthen for mine, though he has cmpa

Isittimeforbedyet1 · 21/10/2025 16:37

When mine had this it was CMPA - pooing every 20 mins until we worked out what it was and then all of a sudden, clean nappies! Good luck, it’s hard when it’s like this but you’re doing great!

CoffeeChocolateWine · 21/10/2025 17:00

Sounds just like my youngest when she was newborn. As with others, it was CPMA. It resolved very quickly once I cut dairy out of my diet.

Original poster
FlashAahhAahh · 21/10/2025 17:20

Devilsmommy · 21/10/2025 16:24

Is it the poo causing it? Could she have CMPA because the poo is so acidic and would absolutely cause this. No special recommendations as I only needed bepanthen for mine, though he has cmpa

I think so. Shes just doing wet farts constantly, we're trying not to overdo wipe to make it worse but it's hard when it's so constant.

I wondered about dairy, I'm lactose intolerant but have been a bit lax and have had cheese.

Other theories are C-section antibiotics are working their way through and causing it. Or bad latch/tongue tie = wind causing the problem.

OP posts:
Devilsmommy · 21/10/2025 17:22

I'd completely cut dairy and see if it makes a difference. Also possibly soya because 50% of CMPA babies are allergic to soya too. It sounds so much like CMPA and if you're lactose intolerant then it's even more likely.

HaughtyAndCold · 21/10/2025 17:25

Sudicreme is amazing - try that

Original poster
FlashAahhAahh · 21/10/2025 17:27

Keroppi · 21/10/2025 16:18

Could you maybe get a potty and catch some wees and poos in there for more nappy free time? Or puppy pads for wees.

I would also go to the GP if the skin is sore and weeping then there's a good chance its infected or fungal and normal cream won't help.

Perhaps wiping with dried cooled chamomile tea as its anti inflammatory.
You need to eat! You'll be more stressed if you can't eat properly. Order some delivery and order Tesco whoosh or whatever for nappies or creams if you need to!

House is fine you can catch up whenever! One thing at a time. Phone GP and send them some pics or video consult

We've had her on a little towelling nappy with a bare bum all afternoon. I'm going to phone the HV tomorrow (when getting in touch with the bf people) and will get home for the GP too.

DH has ordered food so that will arrive soon and he's hoovering up while I feed. I just feel so bloody awful that it's all red and sore. DD doesn't even seem that arsed most of the time. I'm just in bits, hormones definitely aren't helping!

OP posts:
Starbri8 · 21/10/2025 17:32

when my eldest had severe nappy rash that kept occurring the chemist advised me to sprinkle probiotic powder in her nappy when changing , it was like a miracle worked overnight !! Her little bum looked like the skin had split in many places and was bleeding. We used Bio Kult. She never got it after that .

AlwaysADramaHadEnough · 21/10/2025 17:36

Devilsmommy · 21/10/2025 16:24

Is it the poo causing it? Could she have CMPA because the poo is so acidic and would absolutely cause this. No special recommendations as I only needed bepanthen for mine, though he has cmpa

I was wondering this. One of my dcs had this. The poo was so acidic watery they just got sore.
Was covid so took 6m for a gp to actually see and prescribe. Went to soya milk and has been fine since.

Devilsmommy · 21/10/2025 17:38

AlwaysADramaHadEnough · 21/10/2025 17:36

I was wondering this. One of my dcs had this. The poo was so acidic watery they just got sore.
Was covid so took 6m for a gp to actually see and prescribe. Went to soya milk and has been fine since.

Show quote history

Mine was put onto soya at 3 weeks and the difference was amazing

Richtea67 · 21/10/2025 17:42

I'm sure I have some leftover yellow metanium, which is the best thing ever for nappy rash and sadly discontinued. If you wanted me to pop in the post to you pm me. However, unlike the advice above you have to out a thin layer on (so you can see the skin underneath). This allows the skin to breathe and heal. Also sometimes cotton wool is bleached or has other irritants in it, so this is also worth checking.

Anxioustealady · 21/10/2025 17:44

OP are you breastfeeding or could you get some breastmilk from a friend? I put some (literally a few drops, usually any milk that's been out the fridge too long) on a cotton pad and dab it on after a bath, then let her air out.

She's only 8 weeks but the nappy rash has got much better in the last few weeks. It's so hard when they're pooing nearly constantly. Hopefully it's just that and not CMPA etc

Grumpynan · 21/10/2025 17:51

Anxioustealady · 21/10/2025 17:44

OP are you breastfeeding or could you get some breastmilk from a friend? I put some (literally a few drops, usually any milk that's been out the fridge too long) on a cotton pad and dab it on after a bath, then let her air out.

She's only 8 weeks but the nappy rash has got much better in the last few weeks. It's so hard when they're pooing nearly constantly. Hopefully it's just that and not CMPA etc

I was just going to say this. Breast milk just use a pad and blot it on leave to air dry then sudicreme (spelt righ ?) is wonderful stuff.

i would also suggest you watch what you eat if you’re breastfeeding,

Ygfrhj · 21/10/2025 17:56

Maybe difficult if she has an upset tummy but it was always obvious to me when my newborns were about to poo, if you can hold them over a potty you at least won't have to really wipe them afterwards.

user2848502016 · 21/10/2025 18:07

Are you sure it’s not thrush? Could be worth your HV taking a look, normal barrier cream will make thrush worse

IfHeWantedToHeWould · 21/10/2025 19:40

You can use olive oil or zerobase to clean rather then water.