help! -nappy rash

[hildysmom]

my 6 week old is getting nappy rash. we're using cloth nappies .. what do i do?

What type of liners are you using? If you can get some (nappy lady sells them), then silk soaked in chamomile tea, and put in the nappy damp does sooo much good. It is even better with honey, but some children can react to it. Fleece can be used the same way, but it doesn't hold the moisture so well.

Is it just the "bits" area, or the whole bum is looking red - if it is the whole bum, then using less powder and giving an extra rinse can help.

Also - what are you wiping with - babywipes or water still? Babywipes can be too harsh on some children, so it might be best to use some water (with a bit of baby oil in can make it more moisturising). A little spray bottle is great - just spray a cloth/bum and wipe, so you don't have to carry damp cloths out with you.

betpanthen cream in sainsburys baby section, works immediatly

Oh yeah, that too I meant to add that at the end! Oooh, and if it is really really bad, then drapolene.

we're wiping with home made wipes, but may go back to water for the time being. the rash is just in the ' 'bits' area.
will look out for the cream as well

breastmilk is a v good natural one i have found. also sage tea.

That yellow stuff (meta-something) worked really well for the wriggler

are you using too much washing powder? only use 1/4 of a cup or 1/2 a tablet. also do an extra rinse at the end of the wash.

silk liners are also great for nappy rash.

are you using cloth wipes? normal baby wipes can cause rashes. if you use cloth wipes soak them in chamomile tea.

drapolene cream is good but you have to be careful with creams and cloth nappies as they can make them start to repel water.

I agree with reducing the amount of soap powder - use about half of the amount recommended on the box. Then use a slug of vinegar in the fabric conditioner section, to help remove any more soap residues.

When changing nappies, just use water to wipe with. Then good old cornflour can help to get the baby's bottom properly dry. If at all possible, try to give them 'bare bottom time', also to dry out the area.

I have found that Aloe Vera gel can be pretty good in healing areas that are quite red and sore, or the Active Birth Centre nappy gel (quite expensive, although they sometimes have 3for2 deals or other discounts).

Also Kamillosan (used for nipples) has been pretty good on my boys if the rash is really bad, but it does contain petroleum jelly and to be honest I am wary of any barrier methods like this (including zinc and castor oil cream and metanium) as they don't allow the skin to 'breathe'. If you do try metanium, use oil not water to wipe it off, as it will not dissolve in water and you will end up just scrubbing your poor baby's bottom raw.