Girls and Rashes for the Natural Mama

[Evie P.]

Hey, Mamas -- Just had baby number two, a girl this time, and I am wondering if my technique with the boy might not work on a girl. With him I just used water for cleaning when I changed him, plus a cloth to dry, and I tried to give as much air time as possible, which usually means poop/pee on a prefold that i have open on my lap and thus my pants get peed on. But with my girlie, it already always looks so red around her vagina and butt, and I don't know what normal is. Any one out there who is anti-wipes and pro-water have hints for how to clean a girl?

[Evie P.]

clearly out of practice with the forums! I just figured out how to subscribe to my own thread....

[RGsMom]

Congrats on your little girl! My first thought is it could be detergent related, possible build up in the diapers? Or maybe she needs a little wipes solution for more thorough cleaning? So many possibilities, it's hard to say.

We find a little coconut oil can help a lot when we have had an issue. I'm sorry I don't have better advice for you and hope it clears up soon!

[Galatea]

I would recommend a wipe solution instead of just plain water.

[bea3]

I typically use just water on my DD, but she is super sensitive also and was red often, so don't know if that is the cause. Interesting thought. Especially since I mostly use just water on new babe and he doesn't appear the worse for wear. I will be curious about what other momma's have to say regarding this issue. I would never have thought plain water could be related...

[Leisha]

nak

with my dd i usually use plain water, but sometimes i use a bit of oil (i use almond oil) instead of water (or both).
it seems more gentle on the skin (gives it a bit of "slip" so less rubbing too i guess) when it gets a little red.

[joshs_girl]

I use just water and washcloths as well - I've found that she's reddest after she's been in a prefold. For some reason, the way the fabric hits her bits makes her look red, so maybe it's just that?

Try putting her in another type of diaper and seeing if it goes away?

[roseselene]

I was anti wipes solution as well however with DD she just had rashes all the time and i couldn't get rid of it. So i tried a very mild wipe solution and it cleared up quickly. So i decided it was ok to use a wipe solution

I think the main thing is that every baby is different and some just need different things than other babies. i used a very very small amount of a baby soap in warm water. I also used diluted northern essence foaming wipes solution as well.
Amy