Newborn pooping everytime she passes gas = diaper rash and tons of diapers HELP!

[mom2beAB]

I'm hoping someone out there has had the same issue and can give us some advice...

DD is 2wks old and about a week ago she started pooping just a tiny bit CONSTANTLY (her poops are very watery, but she is peeing a lot too, so Ped said not to worry about that). She basically goes a little almost every time she passes gas so every time I feed her we go through several diapers as she goes a little bit over and over. Then when she naps or sleeps at night, she always wakes up with at least a little poop in her diaper, so not only is this insanely frustrating with diaper change after diaper change (and applying ointment, wiping, repeat...), but the poor thing has bad diaper rash already that isn't getting any better because she doesn't have time to dry out.

Her ped said this may just be the way she is, but also said we could try probiotics to see if they would help (this was only day 1 so giving it a week or so). And I have also given up Dairy because it makes her insanely gassy and she gets mucousy and green poop with it (I'm fairly certian this is a completely different issue as DS was the same way).

Has anyone had this problem before or have any ideas on what might help?? I don't like the idea of formula, but I wonder if giving her a little bit each day might help make things more solid and have her stop going so much?

THANK YOU!!

[2xy]

I really don't think formula is the answer.

Could you give some information on what you are using for diapering? What ointments and other cleaning items are you using? I had one child who was hypersensitive to most brands of disposable diapers, and another who was very sensitive to baby wipes. It's entirely possible that the rash is not from poo.

[mom2beAB]

I have used several kinds as we've gone through a million -

First (before the rash) I used 7th Generation and Earth's Best, and  NO diaper cream (I never used any preventatively with my son unless he had a rash, which was rare).

After she got the rash, then I bought Pamper's Swaddlers Sensitive diapers, only because they're so much softer than the other ones and she already had the rash. I've been using a couple different ointments, balmex, desitin max strength, some hydrocortisone, and most often mustela stelactive (for mod to severe rash). Oh, and using pampers sensitive wipes.

But although I do want to clear up the rash, obviously, my main issue is how to keep her from constantly going, I'm sure that's what's doing it because her bum is always wet and then we're constantly wiping (I do dab her off w/ a tissue to get her as dry as possible too).

[Neuromancer]

If you use disposable diapers, you might give cloth a try.  Our son doesn't get rashy when we keep him in cloth.  It may not work for you, but if so it would be a simple solution!  We use coconut oil as our only "diaper cream," but rarely need it.

[2xy]

Originally Posted by mom2beAB 

But although I do want to clear up the rash, obviously, my main issue is how to keep her from constantly going, I'm sure that's what's doing it because her bum is always wet and then we're constantly wiping (I do dab her off w/ a tissue to get her as dry as possible too).

Well, she's a newborn, and presumably breast-fed, so what you're describing sounds pretty normal to me. I would lay off the chemical products and see what happens. Use a natural protective barrier rather than ointment (coconut oil was already mentioned), and soap and water for cleaning her bum. You can also use a sprayer to clean her rather than wiping.

No matter how "sensitive" these products claim to be, they are full of chemicals. Years ago I bought some flushable wipes to keep near the toilet, and they claimed to be "soothing and gentle"...you know, because they had aloe in them along with all the chemicals. Two out of the four people in my family ended up with swollen, irritated bums from using those "soothing" wipes.

I'd venture a guess that your baby's poo is far less toxic to her skin than the products that are being used. You might want to post this in the diapering forum to see if the mamas there have any advice, since it's been many years since I've done diapers and there are so many more options and gadgets nowadays.

[mamazee]

What color is her poop now? It sounds potentially like oversupply - you might google and read about that and see if it sounds right.

[goodygumdrops]

Formula is definitely not the answer.  It is pretty normal for babes to poop a ton when their that age.  I would tackle the diaper rash by using a skin barrier with zinc at every diaper change.  On the contrary, I would also let her have a lot of diaper free time...just lay her on an absorbent cloth diaper and if she goes you can just change the cloth she's lying on.  If the rash is on her vulva and looks really shiny and red, she may have a possible yeast infection.  I would certainly make sure the doctor takes a look. 

Formula isn't going to make her stomach any better as breastmilk is the most easily digested and formula may cause her to have more gassiness.

[mamazee]

I didn't get as far as the formula thing. No, formula is likely to make things worse, not better, esp. if you've had to give up dairy. If her stomach is sensitive, it's particularly important she get 100% breast milk.

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

This is perfectly normal...and with in the next week you should see a change in the poo and diapers. I think it's way to early to take foods out of your diet. I'm a Lactation Consultant and I advise mothers to wait it out....3 weeks is way to early to start making diet changes....but...after 5 babies of my own.....it's worked great for me...by waiting it out. I almost took dairy out of my diet because my baby was gassy....but now at 11wks...he is not gassy anymore. But I do know that every baby is different. I too would stop using all those chemical ointments and put breast milk on her bottom and let it dry before putting on a diaper. Coconut oil works wonders....i even used it on my bum after baby!

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by Mamato3wild ponnie 

 I almost took dairy out of my diet because my baby was gassy....but now at 11wks...he is not gassy anymore. But I do know that every baby is different.

This was true for me, too!  He was so gassy and uncomfortable in the mornings for several weeks that I began to wonder if it was something in my diet (and I love dairy), but that stopped around the same time as it did for Mamato2wild ponnie.

[mom2beAB]

Originally Posted by Mamato3wild ponnie 

This is perfectly normal...and with in the next week you should see a change in the poo and diapers. I think it's way to early to take foods out of your diet. I'm a Lactation Consultant and I advise mothers to wait it out....3 weeks is way to early to start making diet changes....but...after 5 babies of my own.....it's worked great for me...by waiting it out. I almost took dairy out of my diet because my baby was gassy....but now at 11wks...he is not gassy anymore. But I do know that every baby is different. I too would stop using all those chemical ointments and put breast milk on her bottom and let it dry before putting on a diaper. Coconut oil works wonders....i even used it on my bum after baby!

Ok, so it's perfectly normal for her to have poop marks at every diaper change, all day long? (I mean like constantly, like change her and I put her down and she does it again LITERALLY a minute later, her diaper is almost never clean!) I haven't talked to a single person who's had a baby that does this!? I know it's normal to poop at every feeding, but this is to the extreme. I so hope you're right that it just works itself out. The reason I gave up the dairy is because my son was exactly the same way (mucousy poop and green), and then I was able to work it back in when he was a few months old, he has no dairy issues now. The rash is finally clearing up after a day w/ the zinc oxide cream (I have been "airing" her out and did use breastmilk on her bum too), it seems to be the only thing that works since she's constantly going and it creates a barrier from her skin.

[mom2beAB]

Originally Posted by mamazee 

What color is her poop now? It sounds potentially like oversupply - you might google and read about that and see if it sounds right.

It's super bright mustardy yellow most of the time, and very watery (which her ped said is normal as long as she's having wet diapers also, I seem to remember my son's being very similar, but maybe not quite as watery).

[mamazee]

If it's bright mustardy yellow, I would try to relax and wait for her body to adjust to life outside the womb. She won't poop that often forever. They can poop very frequently the first few weeks though, some kids more than others.

[goodygumdrops]

I am also an almost Lactation Consultant (sit the exam in three weeks) and yes, it sounds perfectly normal to me.  I'm sure it's hard to see your little one have a sore tush but just keep using that zinc cream to prevent the rash from returning.  Hugs...

[gemasita]

My babe has a "skid mark" almost every time we change him so I assume it's the same as what is going on with yours...poops each time he passes gas.  He does get red just *right* around where he poops.

[mom2beAB]

Originally Posted by gemasita 

My babe has a "skid mark" almost every time we change him so I assume it's the same as what is going on with yours...poops each time he passes gas.  He does get red just *right* around where he poops.

How old is your son? I'm hoping this stops and works itself out soon - she cries most times that she does it too, usually until she actually has a real poop :(

[SeattleRain]

Originally Posted by mom2beAB 

I have used several kinds as we've gone through a million -

First (before the rash) I used 7th Generation and Earth's Best, and  NO diaper cream (I never used any preventatively with my son unless he had a rash, which was rare).

After she got the rash, then I bought Pamper's Swaddlers Sensitive diapers, only because they're so much softer than the other ones and she already had the rash. I've been using a couple different ointments, balmex, desitin max strength, some hydrocortisone, and most often mustela stelactive (for mod to severe rash). Oh, and using pampers sensitive wipes.

But although I do want to clear up the rash, obviously, my main issue is how to keep her from constantly going, I'm sure that's what's doing it because her bum is always wet and then we're constantly wiping (I do dab her off w/ a tissue to get her as dry as possible too).

It's funny that you mention that you switched from 7th gen to Pampers, because when my son has a diaper rash (which is very, very rare) I switch him from his usual Huggies to 7th gen because it's less irritating. The only thing I use on severe rashes is desitin. Using too many products doesn't make it better.

[mad4mady]

I didnt read all the replys so sorry if this is a repeat but do you have an milk oversupply?? I ask because gassy, green poos can be a result of your baby filling up on the foremilk and not getting enough of the higher fat milk. I have oversupply and I was having a similar issue until I started only using one breast per feeding. She still poos a ton but they are no longer green and she isnt as gassy. She stll has a rash but I think that was due to a nut sensitivity...since cutting out the nuts the rash is clearing up. I also noticed she is not as rashy since I switched full time to cloth diapers. However, if your already stressed about the amount of diaper changes...it will increase with the cd. That is what I am stressing about...all the washing!!

[mom2beAB]

Originally Posted by SeattleRain 

It's funny that you mention that you switched from 7th gen to Pampers, because when my son has a diaper rash (which is very, very rare) I switch him from his usual Huggies to 7th gen because it's less irritating. The only thing I use on severe rashes is desitin. Using too many products doesn't make it better.

Ironically, I stopped using 7th gen with my son (my first) because I felt like it made his whole diaper area red, it was very weird. We cloth diapered him, and I plan to with DD, but right now there's no way I could possibly keep up with the laundry as much as she's going - plus, like you mentioned, so far the only thing that is working (and working great, I might add), is the max strength desitin, so I'm not about to use that with my cloth. I'm only using the pampers because they are so soft and she was so sore, but hate that they are scented (why do they feel the need to scent them!?)... my fav disposable is Earth's Best, just wish they were softer, they're pretty stiff.

[mom2beAB]

Originally Posted by mad4mady 

I didnt read all the replys so sorry if this is a repeat but do you have an milk oversupply?? I ask because gassy, green poos can be a result of your baby filling up on the foremilk and not getting enough of the higher fat milk. I have oversupply and I was having a similar issue until I started only using one breast per feeding. She still poos a ton but they are no longer green and she isnt as gassy. She stll has a rash but I think that was due to a nut sensitivity...since cutting out the nuts the rash is clearing up. I also noticed she is not as rashy since I switched full time to cloth diapers. However, if your already stressed about the amount of diaper changes...it will increase with the cd. That is what I am stressing about...all the washing!!

How long do you feed if you're only doing one side at a time? I don't think I have oversupply?? How would I know (I know breast size isn't supposed to matter, but mine are very small and I'm never engorged unless she goes really long at night)? I feed on each side for 10-15 min usually, but sometimes much longer if she seems really hungry or if I just happen to have lots of extra time and she's sleepy—so I think she's getting the hind milk??.

We had a visit with the chiropractor today that I think might prove to be very helpful for many reasons - both with adjustments and with modifying my supplements (my prenatal mineral may have been upsetting her) and adding some probiotics for both of us. So fingers crossed, I will give it a few days and update!