Diaper Rash Cream Obsessed

[SusanaLaLoca]

So, whenever my MIL changes DS, she slathers on the diaper cream like crazy - everything is covered in globs of the stuff - butt, creases between legs, around his parts - whether his skin looks irritated or not (which rarely it does). I've always skipped on diaper cream unless he needs it. My question is, is it bad to use that much cream on him if he's not needing it? I guess she thinks she's protecting him from GETTING rash, but is it necessary, and is it healthy?

(FYI, she's from the Caribbean, so maybe with the heat babies down there get it a lot... could explain her obsession... Maybe?)

[MsVyky]

we don't use anything unless there's an irritation, and we NEVER use zinc oxide creams (like penaten)- wrecks cloth diapers.

When she does have a rash, we use a beeswax based ointment

[Chamomile Girl]

Yeah, sounds as if she is using it as a barrier cream. He'll have a soft little tush at least.

[lifeguard]

I don't see any real harm - most people I know do this but if you're using cloth it can really build up on your dipes & make them repellent.

[Friendlee]

Funny. My mom was doing the same thing, maybe it's a generational thing? I came from the camp of, "If I see something starting, I'll take action." but she was using it as prevention. We use weleda cream which I was told was one of the only creams that were okay for cloth. I really didn't know one way or the other but thought my mom had a good point. Now, I don't slather it on thick or anything, but I've been using it more frequently. And I have to admit, before I was doing it, she had diaper rash twice. After I started using it as prevention she's not had any rash in 2 months (and she's 6 months old).

I don't know if it's really necessary...but a little after a bath or a couple times a week is probably no big deal.

[bender]

My parents do that too. I usually follow their lead and add some after poop diapers. He's 9 months old, and never had diaper rash, so it must be working.

[Kelly1101]

I never do it unless her skin is starting to look irritated. I do use cornstarch powder pretty regularly to keep it all soft and dry, though, not every diaper change but maybe one out of every three. I cloth diaper and don't want too much build-up from cream.

[Boot]

I use the weleda baby care cream (not the diaper care one) at night and if I see a little redness. It's expensive though so I wouldn't want someone slathering it every time. If I saw a rash developing I would use the weleda diaper care which has zinc oxide in it. You're only supposed to use a little for a few days. That's what I did with DS when he was a baby and he rarely had a rash. Personally, I wouldn't want to use a zinc oxide cream every day but if someone bought me a lifetime supply of the baby care cream I would be fine with 'slathering' that.

If your MIL is using a mild cream I would just let her go to it!

[SusanaLaLoca]

What is wrong with zinc oxide? I thought it was okay... Dr Mercola talks about its safety in his sunscreen...

[Xavismom]

Originally Posted by SusanaLaLoca

What is wrong with zinc oxide? I thought it was okay... Dr Mercola talks about its safety in his sunscreen...

It can ruin the absorbency of cloth diapers, so you'd want to stay away from it if you are using cloth.

I agree it might be generational. My mom did this right at first too Shes only changed a handfull of diapers since DS has been born though, and I never use it. DS has never had a rash.

[pammysue]

I have a little insight to the "generational" aspect. Yesterday, we were talking to my MIL and she was saying when DH and DSIL were infants, everyone used cloth. The only time you used sposies is if you were on vacation, they were really rough and you still had to use "rubber pants." She said if you did not use lots and lots of diaper cream, the diapers would rub the babies' butts raw.

[sapphire_chan]

If your LO isn't allergic to the diaper cream, it should be fine. You'll have to strip your cloth diapers frequently so you don't get a ton of leaks, but it'll be okay.

Now, my little cousin with a petroleum allergy, using the wrong diaper cream really messed up her butt. They figured it out but she was still getting rashes from the residual grease in the diaper.

[marinak1977]

How do you strip cloth diapers? And are there any alternative solutions to protecting occasional rash? (I used a tiny amount of cream, really thin layer and tried using sposies at that time, but DS tends to get a ring around his rectum even if I'm off dairy)

[yhen]

I used disposables on my kids and never had a problem with diaper rash. I just wash the diaper area with tepid water and soap when changing new diaper. I never use wipes.
And if i noticed some red spot to form a rash i immediately get some breast milk and damp it in the affected area.
They are effective!

[desertgirl01]

Must be a generational thing!! I had to ask my mom to stop because 1) no diaper rash problems, 2) I can't stand the way the stuff smells, and 3) the cloth diaper thing...and what did my mom do? Started to buy disposies so she could use the cream. I finally bought some CJ's BUTTer for her to use on baby's bum, and we ALL love it. Also great for dry little cheeks, and dry mama hands. Oops, sounds like an advertisement, but the stuff is great, smells wonderful, and haven't had a problem with buildup on cloth. So now we're all happy (and smelling like blueberries or vanilla cake)!