Please help, no clue about reusables and disposables are giving DS horrendous rash :(

[jaggythistle]

My 20mo DS has had recurring nappy rash problems for a few months now. Several GPs have had a look and have now concluded that he is sensitive to the disposable nappies. (we've tried a few types)

The rash is horrendous, looks as red as like sunburn and leaves his skin peeling :(

I asked if reusables might be the way to go if this is just going to recur, the GP reckons it's a good idea. I can't face seeing DS's skin like this, he doesn't seem to notice/scratch or anything, but it looks awful.

Please can someone help me with where to start in getting some nice soft, preferably easy to use/care for reusables? :)

I am going to do some research myself, but would really welcome recommendations.

Thanks in advance.

Having had a browse instead of working the Tots Bots Bamboozle ones look nice.

Would the pack of 15 nappies and 4 wraps be enough to get started?

I estimate we get through 6 or so nappies in a day.

Thanks again.

Have you had a look at the Nappy Tree as this is a good place for used disposables if you are not sure?
I have reports from people who have used cloth after disposables in that rashers are better in cloth. For comparison my then 20month DS was going through 4-5 nappies.

Bamboozles are good, esp. the newer stretchy ones. Take a while to dry though.

I'd go for maybe 5 stretchy bamboozles for night time (1 wrap should be enough) and 10 pocket nappies like BumGenuis/Wonderoos/Fuzzibunz - you can take the inserts out of these so they dry faster, esp. the BumGenius as they are microfibre.

Look on the reusable nappy for sale section on here, or on Cloth Nappy Tree, for good quality preloved ones - its a lot cheaper that way.

Thanks, Might be an idea, it's a big outlay if the nappy doesn't suit DS I suppose. I think 6 would be the maximum depending on if it's a multiple poo kind of day :)

They seem to think he might be sensitive to some of the chemicals in teh disposables.

Will do more research when I get home - better do some work.

Just worrying about poor DS, he's got antibiotics and everything :(

Thanks again.

I would start by getting a few different onest o see what you get on with rather than buying a whole load the same.

You can get trial packs from places like this. Also check if you local council do a real nappy scheme as you can often get a voucher to spend :).

If you do decide to go for cloth then around 15-20 nappies and 4 wraps is fine to wash every couple of days.

Also, make sure you wash them properly to avoid any build up of washing powder which could cause irritation with the rash. I would dry pail, do a cold rinse (avoids setting in any wee smells) then wash at 40 with no more than 1/3 of a dose of powder or use laundry balls or soap nuts instead. Every so often do a couple of rinses in a row with a cup of white vinegar to strip any residues.

I had this problem with my Ds too, seems he's allergic to somthing they put in the lining of most disposeables.

We now use Huggies Naturals which are organic. We haven't had a problem since!

Dare I suggest you encourage some pooing on a potty? I know it's not fashionable, but it worked for me. I used cloth with my two, but also used a potty and don't think I dealt with more than a handful of dirty nappies from well before 20 months. If you are at home and poo-times are fairly predictable, it is easy-peasy.
I used Mother-Ease mainly, which I thought were good, but as mine are now 11 and 6 I am sure there is more choice of brands and materials now.
You could also consider a nappy laundry service.
Good luck!

The organisation Go Real is all about promoting 'real' (washable) nappies and has loads of useful advice on their website. I use fleece/microfibre nappies at night and cotton prefolds in the day. The cotton might be better as it's a natural fabric next to your son's skin then. I think it's even possible to get silk liners for very sensitive babies. In my area (Oxfordshire) you can get a trial nappy bucket for free so you can try different styles and materials before you buy - worth seeing if such a scheme is available in your area (Go Real would know).

Good luck with it all!

My ds had this - terrible rash if we use two disposables in a row, though by 20 months one overnight was OK.
I recommend clothnappytree and getting some all-in-ones or pocket nappies - then you don't have to worry about wraps on a wriggling child - whatever is cheap and in a large size. Pocket nappies you take the inserts out to wash so they dry quicker.

Half the recommended amount of detergent liquid, and an Easycare 40 degree wash works fine for me (60 degrees if really icky). I tried to get ds to poo on the potty. Still trying...

Thanks all, plenty to think about.

Iwillcount Might try huggies Naturals as a temporary solution today to see if it helps till I can get some real ones :)

DH is at home, pooing is sometimes predictable so I will suggest a potty. It would certainly impress my DM who is desperate to predict when he'll be out of nappies!

Bamboozles are difficult to dry and you will have to use a wrap but may work out expensive. If it doesnt help DC then its a lot of money gone esp as your DS is getting bigger and wont be in them long. My advice would be to try a quicker drying pocket nappy. If you go here you could try a few of these for £3.95 so it doesnt break the bank lol.

I also second silk liners they worked wonders on DD2.

Don't feel that you have to rush into a decision but this is Real Nappy Week and there are lots of discounted cloth nappies so if you are wanting to purchase a few then you could make quite a saving.

sorry I hit post too quickly there. My DD2 was in cloth most of the time but I used disposables for holidays and she ended up with terrible rash last August. I switched to cloth full time and now nearly always use reusable wipes as well as there are a lot of chemicals in the disposable wipes which babies with sensitive skin can react to. I just make up a solution with chamomile tea and put it in a tupperware box. She still gets flare ups of nappy rash - usually from teething poo or if we don't get to a poo in time but generally she is pretty happy and healthy in cloth.

my ds used to get an awful rash with dispos too, we used to get a bit of a rash with two parters where the nappy wa wet to his skin so we started using pocket nappies which are similar to put on to disposables but only ones with stay dry liners like bumgenius, fuzzi bunz, greenkids . There are some great offers out there in RNW but do your research and if you can see some in the flesh all the better, i would buy a mix rather than a full stash of 20 whatevers. I got mie from here she is a mumsnetter and offers a mumsnet discount .

Have you thought about using eco disposables rather than completely changing into cloth/washables? I had terrible nappy rash problems with my son but as a full time working mum real nappies were a no no, so I used Nature Baby disposables which were much softer and didn't contain the chemicals in the main brands and the rash disappeared. I've also heard about a new brand from Australia called Little Takas which are launching over here that are 90% biodegradable - so even better!

i actually got some last night to try, hoping they'll agree with him better, thanks.

it would be easier than getting reusables in for maybe less than a year's use.

i work full time and unsociable hours too, so will maybe try these first. i have always considered myself too lazy busy for reusables. would change if his skin doesn't settle though.