Nappy changing advice

[Slinkyminky22]

I'll probably keep this quite vague just because of the subject.

Looking for guidance with changing my daughter's nappy as she has a couple of tiny red marks/almost tears appearing at two (inner) folds. I've tried checking the NHS site and various websites but can't get clarity. Videos also only show nappy changes from the side, for obvious reasons.

When changing a wet nappy we currently just wipe outer areas gently front to back. With a dirty nappy though I quite often find the poo can get trapped so do move some skin around to clean crevices. I'm wondering if this is where I'm going wrong and I should only be wiping outer parts.

Would really appreciate guidance as it looks uncomfortable although she seems fine.

TL;DR - do you just wipe outer areas when changing female nappies? Will future pees dislodge anything else?

I don't have a girl, but with a poo I would definitely clean thoroughly, dry as best you can, and then use nappy cream - weleda is like magic on my boy, the slightest hint of any redness is gone by the next change.

The wee combined with poo can cause a lot of soreness, so definitely don't rely on wee to 'dislodge' poo, clean as thoroughly as you can - cloth wipes (like cheeky wipes) can be better than wet wipes for this

I have a baby girl who does very sloppy poops thanks to CMPA. I wipe all the poo off, and then I use a baby wipe to wipe inbetween her folds like I would do with myself if I had a poo like this! I apply a cream to her outside folds. At bathtime I use a clean sponge and clean water to get inbetween and make sure everything is fresh.

I remember worrying about this too and I think it is important. If you don't clean properly you risk a uti. If you clean too vigorously you can potentially irritate her delicate parts.

We used to soak a flannel so it was soaking wet and wring it out over her vulva/bum area until the water ran clean (quite quick to do). Then dry with a soft dry cloth. We used those little ones called Cheeky Wipes. Keep a bucket by the changing table and it all goes in the wash.

My mum who's from another country said everyone always used to wet-wash with clean water there too and wet wipes used to give us a rash - she says wet wipes are terrible all round and I'm inclined to agree, we only used them when out and about.

Ask your HV or GP for advice. They can take a look, suggest creams etc.

Ps for a poonami (if at home) we just dunked her in the sink.

Luckily, baby poos pre-solids are very water-soluble so clean water is all you really need

Thank you both for the advice, that's really helpful.

I had wondered if I was actually over-cleaning but it didn't sound right to leave any poo on inner areas.

In the bath I do wash thoroughly, I will buy a baby sponge though to be more gentle. I do hope I've not been too rough, it is just at those two folds.

Thanks for further posts while I was typing.

Really helpful again and exactly what I was thinking, it seems easy to sway from too much to not enough. I found boys easier to change, at least you can see it all lol.

We do use the water based wipes but I will switch back to waterwipes and look at the washable wipes too.

With ours I fold up a wet wipe so a small triangle is poking out from my fingers, very gently pull back her flaps one side a time and run the point of the triangle down the inside of the flap, re fold, run it down, then swap to the other side, that way you're not putting any pressure on with your actual finger, just make sure if there's any poo around her vagina entrance you get that too!

I find it helps to wet the wet wipe too, as the extra moisture helps clear the poo.

It could be that you've pulled the flaps back ever so slightly too much, it's so easily done as the skin is so delicate there.

When I mentioned using water I didn't mean water based wipes- it's the texture of the wipes themselves that irritate and damage, I've found. When I use them on my own bum I get sore.

With the wet flannels, I wiped the outer parts and then rinsed through the inner parts without touching them. I found if I physically wiped the inner labia they got sore and red, like you're finding.

That's exactly what it looks like actually, I've pulled too much. Just with both sides being the same it must be that.

Thank you so much. I will try what you said, wiping one side very gently at a time.

OK sure. Thank you. I could switch back to cotton wool pads and warm water if it's going to help.

I'm going to try being extra gentle for now and see if the tears heal up first.

I checked with the midwife and she said it was important to clean between the folds so I'd pull gently apart and wipe, even with wees.

i've developed a nice safe hold and i rinse off the little soiled bottoms under running water. pat dry and remember, only apply any cream to totally clean dry skin never after a quick wipe down as it can trap digestive acids against the skin.