Diaper Rash Issue

Hey Jen, My daughter is the same age and she too has started "exploring". I think shes just noticing there is something down there. I wouldnt be too worried.....

I thought this was kind of crazy when someone told me - 2 magice words: Corn Starch. Use it on the rash and it will disappear like magic. I couldnt believe it. My daughter is 3 1/2, she's only had a handful of rashes in hershort life,but each time I put corn starch on it - Gone the next day. Recently she had a little bit of chaffing between her legs from wearing wet shorts in and out of a pool all day, I used corn starch again and it worked. Maybe this would help your daughter stop trying to scratch this new irritating feeling she's experiencing.

Hi J., It's probably time to up the amount of baths that you give your daughter, but also try using naturally based products for cleaning the areas where you change her diaper and also using naturally based products to clean her clothes.

A great site for great products is: http://www.saferforyourhome.com/

Here's my 2 cents...

First I do agree that twice a week may not be enough bathing. I know she's not palying and getting sweaty like older kids, but the diaper does hold her waste against her skin and her skin needs to be cleaned. Wipes aren't enough since the waste at this age is pretty acidic because they digest it so fast.

Second, try unscented wipes or just a cloth diaper or soft washcloth with plain warm water. Babies have sensitive skin and she could be having a reaction to the scent. Also, you may try changing diaper brands...some brands may have chemicals that differ from others. Try them all and see what works for her.

Lastly, on the diaper cream. I recommend 2 (my girls have had their share of rashes...my youngest one actually had one turn to a yeast infection it was so bad). Dr. Smith's diaper cream and Boudreaux's Buttpaste. Both are a little pricey, but I found that where one didn't work the other did and they work faster than desitin so you use less and so on.

She may not actually be scratching...just checking out what's down there. It's usually covered and she doesn't get the opportunity. It's like when they find their toes in and want to touch them all the time. It's not uncommon for babies (both girls and boys) to find their "privates" interesting.

alot of good tips already. straight cornstarch works good. the oatmeal baths are great. dries it up really quick. i know it adds to the laundry, but the wipes irritate the rash.(at least it did with my son, he would scream in pain) i used a damp washcloth instead and he wasn't trying to grap down there as much during changes and crying. he got really bad rashes when he was teething too.

They tell you when a baby is newborn he doesn't need a bath every day, but then they don't come knocking on your door to let you know when to bathe more often... You should be bathing her more often, especially if she is rolling/scooting/crawling around on the floor. I bathe my son nearly every day- and it helps as a soothing just-before-bedtime ritual, too. As for the reaching down, my 9 month old boy reaches for his privates as often as possible lately-- in the bath and when his diaper is off-- it's the one place on their bodies they don't get to explore often because it's always covered with a diaper, so at least for him (he doesn't have a rash) I think it's more of an exploration than an itch. I let him explore in the bathtub, but keep his hands away the best I can while changing him because I don't want him to stick his hand in pee or poop

change often. let her run around FREE for a while. Just be ready to clean up the mess. Try not to put her diaper on so tight. Or go up another size. The diaper needs some air flow to help keep her dry. And the other thing is along with the cream. Avoid bubble baths. This can earitate the skin. And you can also try a bottle of Milk of Magnisia in her bath water. Just make sure she does not drink it. This will soothe the skin.

A lot of diaper rashes are actually yeast infections, so sorry to say, your daughter is quite uncomfortable right now. Hope she feels better soon.
A.

The rash is probably making her itch. I wouldn't worry about that, but I wouldn't let her scratch. My son has only gotten a diaper rash once, when he had a stomache virus and I got it under contral fast. I make sure he is completely dry before I put a diaper back on. I have cloths next to the changing table in in my bag and I dry him off and air dry a little bit and I always use desitin. I didn't used to, but I started when he had the virus because it prevents. But drying them off before yuo put the diaper back on is VERY important.

One other thing, in my opinion, especially since her rash is very active, you need to keep it very clean. You should be giving her a bath more than twice a week. I give my son one every night. Not only does he love it, it is like play time for him, I think he really needs it. He poops and pees all day on the bottom, it should be cleaned once a day with soap and water. I skip sometimes, if he is sick or we go out, but for the most part, baths every night. It only takes 5-10 minutes if you are quick, but I think that will really help her heal. Make sure you use sensitive baby soap (hypoalergenic) and rinse well.

Anyway, good luck.
Hope this helped.

Hi
Lots of good advice but heres more. Definately bathe at least every other day. But..... What you put in the water may cause her to be itchy. Use only product for sensitive skin or less to no fragrance. I never used Aveeno but That may be good.
Wipes could be making her itchy. The best for the buck is Costco Kirkland brand. Again, no fragrance. As for the rash, use Triple Paste from walgreens. The best in the whole world. Will clear her up in hours. My daughter had the worst ever rash at a month old from lots of medication in the nicu this was the only thing that worked even over a prescribed medicine. Good Luck.

Hi, my daughter had her first diaper rash at 18 months (!) We used J&J corn starch powder after her bath. My ped recommended Aveeno oatmeal bath (you can use generic brand) and letting her soak for 20 minutes or longer if she can handle it. It cleared it right up!! Also try using DYPROTEX as a diaper cream- it's a miracle worker! I can only find it at Walgreens. I agree though about the baths. Twice a week is NOT enough. We've been bathing my daughter every night since she was born (that might be overkill) but by nine months she should be getting a bath at least every other day if not every day. Especially with the rash. Good Luck!

I have a little boy, but I can tell you that at about that age as soon as the diaper came off his hands went "exploring". I think because that is the one area of our bodies we are not supposed to touch it freaks us out a bit when our kids start doing it. Anyway, I let him run free, naked as a jay bird. I tried to time it around his poop times so I did not have a huge mess to clean! :) I also laid sheets on the floor where he crawled and played to help some. After being naked for a while he seemed more comfortable down there and grabbed it less. Oh yeah, I also started giving him showers with me so that he wasn't sitting in that water for so long.

As my health teacher once told us "Ladies, you gotta air that sucker out once in a while!" hehe

T. R.