Nappy rash first time cloth user

[chirishgirl]

Hi. Just started using motherease nappy 3 days ago on my dd (19 mo) and she has developed a nappy rash. I've pre-washed the nappies twice with no detergent and made liners from fleece baby blankets. I've changed her every 2-3 hours and initially didn't use any barrier cream but started using sudocream when she developed her rash and have soaked her in chamomille tea bath. Is it normal for babies to develop nappy rash when they switch from disposables to cloth nappies? Any suggestions on how to treat and prevent the nappy rash?

It's quite common to have a mild redness when switching but it shouldn't be severe. However, you should use detergent in your pre-washes - the point is you should strip away the oils and chemicals which are applied to the fibres as the fabric is woven. Detergent itself is not the enemy with cloth nappies, you just have to make sure any detergent is thoroughly rinsed out. I'd put them through 2-3 more hot washes with detergent with an extra rinse at the end and see how you go.

Thanks. I thought since they were new you wouldn't have to use detergent but I guess I was wrong.

(i would have thought that too chirish girl!) .. theres something ive learnt today

good luck with your nappies

Try adding vinegar to your fabric conditioner drawer - this helps ensure the nappies are well rinsed of detergent. Distilled malt is preferable, but our Tesco has stopped stocking it, so I use the value malt vinegar instead. Once the nappies are dry any residual 'pickled onion' smell is gone :o

It maybe the fleece liners that your DD is reacting too. My DS gets nappy rash from the liners - I think they make him too hot. I now use liners made of cut up flannelette sheets, and have no problems.

BTW, sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but you don't need to dry the nappies between prewashes. :)

When they weave the fabric, they coat the fibres in an oily substance (think hair conditioner-type stuff!) to stop it getting snagged in the machinery. You have to remove this before use, as it prevents water absorbing. It's like when you buy a new towel it's horrible until it has been washed a few times - same issue.