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[cakemama579]

So the other day Becky commented that she was having diaper rash issues with Charlie, to which I responded on how I had the whole world figured out with my diaper rashing issues, blah blah blah.  I totally jinxed myself!  Help!  Millie is having the worst diaper rash problem now, and it is a complete mystery to me. 

I have her in cloth, and when I noticed her rash not improving regardless of massive amounts of desitin, I slathered on the cream and put her in seventh gen sposies for the day.   A marked improvement, and after 2 days she was cured.  So I put her back in cloth.  Within about 5 minutes the rash was back, and with a vengeance.

What should I do?  I really want to use cloth.  Really really really.  But not at the expense of DDs sweet little bum!  Am I washing them wrong (dye-free hypoallergenic soap, full soak cycle before wash cycle, a treatment of vinegar about once a week)?  Not changing her frequently enough? (I doubt it, since I change her about every hour, hour and a half).  

Anyone else in a similar boat??  (and please forgive me if I've missed a thread or conversation on this)

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by cakemama579 

What should I do?  I really want to use cloth.  Really really really.  But not at the expense of DDs sweet little bum!  Am I washing them wrong (dye-free hypoallergenic soap, full soak cycle before wash cycle, a treatment of vinegar about once a week)?  Not changing her frequently enough? (I doubt it, since I change her about every hour, hour and a half).  

Are you washing twice?  Hot wash/cold rinse/2nd rinse?

I would strip the diapers before giving up on them.  

http://www.zany-zebra.com/stripping-cloth-diapers.shtml

That link has really useful info on how to do so.

Could it be a yeast rash?  Yeast is fickle.  I've only been able to clear a yeast rash with Nystatin.  For other raw rashes, I really like Triple Paste, and of course, lots of naked time.

And now, I'll leave this to mamas who are actually cd'ing, b/c I gave up long ago.  

[SynEpona]

Cate is also having cloth-related-rash-issues.

First problem: she reacts to FOE on covers. Big problem, since those are the kind I make, and they are economical for us. I bought several kinds with encased elastic and it's much improved, but not 100%.

Second problem: she is RED (not rashy/bumpy/blistery/chapped) everywhere pee touches her, even if I change her minutes after she pees.

For that, I've eliminated the TTO from the wash, and am using strictly the detergent that always worked for Finn, and have another detergent on hand to try if this doesnt' help.

In sposies for a few days, the red clears up, but the elastic of sposies also bothers her, so that's not the right solution overall. We used sposies for a 4 day camping trip, and the red cleared right up by the 2nd day. Came back first day in cloth at home. It doesnt' seem to bother her, it's just red. The chapping/reacting to elastic was worse and I'm glad we've solved that, though it was expensive to replace "perfectly good" covers.

The BEST thing for her is well fitting fitted diapers with wool overtop, which I love, but do not have enough of either fitteds or wool, so I am gradually increasing that stash as I can afford to, and try to put her in them for longer trips in the car or overnights.

A friend sent me some raw silk liners, which are supposed to help with rashes, so we will start using those today. I'll let you know if they help (I'm not sure I'm convinced about the 'healing' properties of something that gets peed on, washed, and is meant to still be 'healing' after that ...)

We're changing her very frequently, so I know that is not the issue, but she is a 'super soaker' (and a super-eater, eats a lot, gains lots, spits up some, pees not constantly, but lots of volume when she does), so keeping a diaper on her that actually contains an entire pee is tricky at her size. The Pianissimo fitteds I got on HC are still the best diapers for her, and I want to buy more, but for a mama who used prefolds almost exclusively for 3 years with DS, it's hard to pay 15$+ for ONE diaper!

ETA: forgot to add, about washing, I'm washing the same way we washed DS's dipes for 3 years ...

Cold short wash or rinse, Hot wash with detergent (default rinse, probably cold, I can't set a rinse temp), extra rinse.

I use the "natural choice" detergent that I've been using for everything, clothing & diaers for 5 years, and was adding 1-2 drops of TTO, but stopped that recently in case it was an irritant to her.

I only rarely used vinegar in the first rinse after washing with DS, but need to remember to try that for her dipes and see if it helps. I just put it in the fabric softener dispenser when I did use it. I think maybe I need to put the jug in the basment instead of the kitchen, since at the new house, the kitchen/laundry are no where near eachother!

[Beckily]

I'm very interested in hearing how it goes, other ideas!

Charlie's got very sensative skin, too, and is very red, mostly between his cheeks.

[Italiamom]

Okay, let's see, Cakemama first --

On the soap, are you using less soap than called for?  You want to use about half the called for amount of soap with dipes.  Honestly, you can do it with clothes too.  But in dipes especially, if you're using the full amount, some will remain, and it can irritate skin.  Even nice hypoallergenic soap.

Also on the soap front, are you just using a hypoallergenic free and clear?  Because that will TOTALLY stay in the dipes.  You want a good natural soap, not just a free and clear from Target or the like.  Look on Cotton Babies for brands, or on diaper pin, or check with your diaper manufacturers website to see who they suggest.

When you use the vinegar, are you using baking soda too?  Because just using vinegar can throw off the pH of your diapers.  Vinegar is fine IMO, but you want to do baking soda in the wash, vinegar in the rinse if that's the route you're shooting for.  Also, sometimes vinegar can stay in dipes and cause irritation.  Is there a reason you're using vinegar at all?  If it's just for disinfecting, you can also do 5 drops of tea tree oil in the wash, or dry on high heat for prefolds/inserts (don't recommend high for covers and pocket outers, personally).

And as Carrie said, are you doing an extra rinse cycle?  The extra rinse is super important.  You want to get all the soap out.  And you'd be shocked at just how much soap actually remains on clothes and the like.

Rochelle -- your problems sound much more complex, and not like a washing issue.  On the materials front, I've made a few covers now from felted recycled wool sweaters.  I felted them well, sewed them up to my liking, and then lanolinizied them.  I'm not a huge fan of wool like some people, but with your amazing craftiness, I bet you could make some seriously sweet covers on the CHEAP.  I collect wool sweaters for felting, and usually only pay 2 or 3 dollars for them at the thrift.  A men's large, felted, gets me two covers right now.  Maybe that would help, I don't know.  It's HARD to find time to sew anything these days.

ALL that said, I still get rashes sometimes.  It's a battle.

[elove]

we had a yeastie rash at the very beginning. it cleared w  a little bit of nystatin, but looked like it may came back so i cut out all use of store bought wipes. we started using boiled (than cooled) water with cloth wipes and that was the last bit that helped get rid of it. not sure if this helps you guys but i wanted to put it out there.

[Beckily]

I do the longest wash with a little soap on cold/cold and then a "normal" wash, just water one hot/cold.

Should I do my longest with hot? Do the cold/cold short? I get so confused with diapers! :P I want my baby to not have a baboon butt and disposables aren't an option!

[Italiamom]

To be truthful, I never wash with cold.  I do hot wash/cold rinse (our machine doesn't have a hot/hot) with soap, and then a hot wash/cold rinse without soap.  Cold is what keeps stains from setting, which is why you use it first.  But I could care less whether my diapers are stained.  I just want them clean!

Look in while it agitates on the rinse cycle.  If you're still getting bubbles, then you need to rinse again.

On the last ditch front, I am going to throw something out there that isn't so popular on MDC....  I am not above bleaching my diapers.  In fact, I do it about once every couple of months, or after illness, or if I suspect yeast.  I know some people don't like to, but if you suspect yeast at all (google image "yeast rash"), I honestly think bleach is the best best best way to nip that squarely in the bud.  I know people say that it breaks down diapers, but that hasn't been my experience.  I washed our bum geniuses in bleach dozens and dozens of times, and they were still functional after 2 years of heavy use when I sold them on Craigslist.  My prefolds have been through just as many bleachings and honestly are barely showing signs of wear hundreds of washes later.  I won't hesitate to bleach new diapers if I feel it's necessary.  BUT, I always make sure to do TWO wash/rinse cycles of just water after a bleaching.

One last ditch suggestion on rashes is if you use different soap on your clothes, it can leave residue in the machine, which can leave residue on your diapers.  Some babies are just that sensitive.

I am having my own diaper issues right now, with repelling pockets.  THAT I"VE NEVER USED.  Bought them, threw them in to prewash, and they're repelling.  I hate pockets.  HATE HATE HATE.  If DH would just use the damn prefolds, I would be so happy.  But he won't, so I bought some pockets for him, and even before they've been on my baby's bottom, they are already causing me grief. Gah.

I wish that my children gave signs or cues so we could do EC successfully.  Or that we could be like the African family in the 'Babies' movie who just lets their baby poop in the dirt and then wipes their little butt with a corncob and more dirt.

[SynEpona]

Originally Posted by Italiamom 

Rochelle -- your problems sound much more complex, and not like a washing issue.  On the materials front, I've made a few covers now from felted recycled wool sweaters.  I felted them well, sewed them up to my liking, and then lanolinizied them.  I'm not a huge fan of wool like some people, but with your amazing craftiness, I bet you could make some seriously sweet covers on the CHEAP.  I collect wool sweaters for felting, and usually only pay 2 or 3 dollars for them at the thrift.  A men's large, felted, gets me two covers right now.  Maybe that would help, I don't know.  It's HARD to find time to sew anything these days.

It stinks to have done this CD thing once with no issues, and then have all the *weird* issues this round! I do have a stack of no-longer-in-fashion turtleneck wool sweaters that I haven't been able to wear since my first pregnancy -- they are not nursing friendly! I need to move them to the sewing room & get to work now that I  know the wool helps, thank you for the reminder!

Originally Posted by SynEpona 

A friend sent me some raw silk liners, which are supposed to help with rashes, so we will start using those today. I'll let you know if they help (I'm not sure I'm convinced about the 'healing' properties of something that gets peed on, washed, and is meant to still be 'healing' after that ...)

So far, Silk liners are excellent. Using them and no other change (they just arrived and I put them in the rotation immediately, I know my friend pre-washed them), the redness is lessening. Not gone, but after even the first diaper, it was improving, and 5 diapers later a significant change to more normal skin tone. Hoping this keeps up! I'll keep you all posted :)

Originally Posted by elove 

we had a yeastie rash at the very beginning. it cleared w  a little bit of nystatin, but looked like it may came back so i cut out all use of store bought wipes. we started using boiled (than cooled) water with cloth wipes and that was the last bit that helped get rid of it. not sure if this helps you guys but i wanted to put it out there.

I only use distilled water for wipes, I'm sure it's the same effect as boiled/cooled water, but my brain cannot remember to boil water in time for it to cool, so I keep a 4L jug of distilled water in the nursery :) (I use it in my wipe solution, and it lasts a long time).

Originally Posted by Beckily 

I do the longest wash with a little soap on cold/cold and then a "normal" wash, just water one hot/cold.

Should I do my longest with hot? Do the cold/cold short? I get so confused with diapers! :P I want my baby to not have a baboon butt and disposables aren't an option!

I don't use soap in the first wash/rinse. I put the soap with the HOT cycle, and make the hot one the long one. It always worked for Finn's dipes, and I think the wash routine works for Cate, and it's something *else* that I just can't figure out that is causing her redness. (fill washer on cold, toss in dipes, run cycle - either short wash or full rinse - this is just to get the "organic matter" off them and down the drain, and reduces stains. Then run hot wash, I set my washer to 'very dirty' to get the heavy duty cycle, with an extra rinse, and use 1/4-1/3 the suggested detergent UNLESS you are using a diaper specific detergent like Rockin'Green, then use the full suggested amount. Either way, it's 1.5-2 TBSP in my top loader.

Of course, I do not think there is only one right way to wash diapers...everyone has to do what works for them, and it may bear no resemblance at all to what works for the next person! I also have always kept 2 diaper pails, and I wash my covers separately in warm, not hot, and dry them on a lower setting. I find it easier to sort them at the changetable/diaperpail, than down in the laundry room. This way, I do covers 1x a week or so, and diapers every 3rd day, roughly.

Originally Posted by Italiamom 

On the last ditch front, I am going to throw something out there that isn't so popular on MDC....  I am not above bleaching my diapers.  In fact, I do it about once every couple of months, or after illness, or if I suspect yeast.  I know some people don't like to, but if you suspect yeast at all (google image "yeast rash"), I honestly think bleach is the best best best way to nip that squarely in the bud.  I know people say that it breaks down diapers, but that hasn't been my experience.  I washed our bum geniuses in bleach dozens and dozens of times, and they were still functional after 2 years of heavy use when I sold them on Craigslist.  My prefolds have been through just as many bleachings and honestly are barely showing signs of wear hundreds of washes later.  I won't hesitate to bleach new diapers if I feel it's necessary.  BUT, I always make sure to do TWO wash/rinse cycles of just water after a bleaching.

One last ditch suggestion on rashes is if you use different soap on your clothes, it can leave residue in the machine, which can leave residue on your diapers.  Some babies are just that sensitive.

I am having my own diaper issues right now, with repelling pockets.  THAT I"VE NEVER USED.  Bought them, threw them in to prewash, and they're repelling.  I hate pockets.  HATE HATE HATE.  If DH would just use the damn prefolds, I would be so happy.  But he won't, so I bought some pockets for him, and even before they've been on my baby's bottom, they are already causing me grief. Gah.

I am somewhat convinced that at some point, someone bleached my diapers. I never needed to with Finn, and while I'm not complete against it, I'm not for it w/o cause (yeast = cause, imo). However, after we had Finn & he outgrew the infant PF, we didn't at that point plan to have other children, and I lent my stash out. 3 of my 24 infant prefolds are ruined, threadbare, trash. The others all occasionally smell like chlorine, even now, after I got them back, washed them 3x myself to try & get rid of the smell, and they have been in rotation with Cate for nearly 3mths. I cannot figure it out. I've stripped them, I've washed them my regular way, I've run them through on hot cycles with no detergent (when they were clean), to get them fully fully rinsed... Everyone is certain they weren't bleached, but maybe it was a detergent with bleach or something, they've got that smell! They were lent to 4 or 5 different people over 3 years, so it's hard to know for sure.

For the pockets, can you use them like covers over tri-folded PFs? If you got them 'set' with a folded PF in them, they'd still be DH friendly, and it'd get them in the rotation, then you can wash them with your regular diaper laundry a few times and see if that helps. I do like pocket dipes at all, but couldn't resist some 3$ co-op ones, and that's how I use them, just as covers. I'd think the repelling wouldn't matter then, as you'd have the PF next-to-skin, and then you'd be using them at least, and hopefully the regular washing would get them past the repelling phase?

To the bolded:

We did this when Finn was little, switch over ALL our laundry to the same detergent. DH eventually asked that his stuff be washed in Tide, as he felt that his stuff wasn't getting suitably clean with the natural detergent, but I do everything else with the natural stuff. I'm not sure how critical it was for Finn, but it made life easier for me. Now, we have a dedicated diaper laundry washer (the used top-loader we bought), it's nice to know that at least Cate's irritation is *not* from residue of other detergents in the machine -- we washed it when we got it, and it's only had the good detergent in it since then.

[cakemama579]

Wow, looks like this could all be a soap residue problem.  Stripping dipes today.

My method has been to soak for 30 min in cold with half the soap (I use Planet-- it is a free soap, plant based) and about every other wash I'll use vinegar (seems to get the stink out).  Then I was washing with the other half of the soap.  second rinse if I remember, but certainly not every time.

I'm curious to see how many bubbles there are while I'm stripping them b/c it sure sounds like they're loaded with soap residue.

Thanks so much for the tips everyone. Carrie-- I'll be sure to add that extra rinse from now on, and Michele what great tips.. sounds like you've definitely had your experience.  The rash doesn't look like yeast-- she's just really red.  So i think I'll hold off on the bleach for now (but I'm not opposed to using it now and again either).  I will start using less soap, throwing baking soda in the wash when I do vinegar in the rinse.  I think I was doing everything backwards, and while the stains are getting out, the soap is staying in!  

I bought some All free and clear just in case it is a soap issue, but I think I'll try stripping them and this new wash routine before switching soaps.  I get my laundry soap from the automatic shipments on Amazon, so I have about 8 giant bottles of it right now-- really hoping it isn't a soap issue! lol!!

Will update...

[*Jessica*]

The boys often had rashes and I eventually quit using cloth with Nate because I couldn't keep him rash free.  I used pockets and microfiber inserts a lot and I think the synthetic fabrics don't launder as easily as natural fibers.  I think that is a huge part of the problem many people have.  (Not saying that's your problem.)  I think another part of my problem was messing with the pH by using baking soda and vinegar.  I will never use them in diaper laundry again.

Bug hasn't had a single rash in cloth, but has had a couple of small ones when wearing disposables.  This time around I'm using bamboo fitteds, either wool or PUL covers, and disposables overnight.  I do a cold rinse with no detergent, then a long hot wash/cold rinse cycle with 3 Tbsp. Rockin Green detergent (which I buy at Amazon) and a second cold rinse.  Then I dry the diapers on hot.  

Rochelle, even though I haven't used bleach my diapers they occasionally smell like chlorine, and I assume it is because of our chlorinated water.  Is that a possibility?

[Beckily]

We use organic bamboo. Okay. First wash short, cold, no soap. Second wash hot, long, soap.

Then my child shall not be a baboon! Yay!

We did get some fleece liners for when we're putting cream on a rash. Do you have to worry about that with powder, too?

[kylaskye]

I was having some red bum issues on and off. I think that might have been my problem. 

I was doing a cold soak, spin cycle then the hot/cold wash. I did a cold wash/rinse with no soap before my hot/cold wash this time. We'll see if that makes any difference. It hasn't been bad, for a bit, so it might have been part of the gluten sensitivity... But it'll prob flare up again since I slipped. 

[SynEpona]

Originally Posted by *Jessica* 

Rochelle, even though I haven't used bleach my diapers they occasionally smell like chlorine, and I assume it is because of our chlorinated water.  Is that a possibility?

Brilliant! So obvious I totally forgot to consider it! We moved 18mth ago, and when we first moved, I hated how my hands always smelled of chlorine just from washing them. The water here is much more chlorinated than at our previous house. I know I saw a filter somewhere online at the time ... I'll try everything else first ... I think it was an expensive filter!

[cakemama579]

Update:  I stripped the diapers big time-- washed them on a full hot cycle 4 times!  Tried them back on DD today, who had zero diaper rash to speak of (cured shortly after switching to disposables), and guess what?  Her whole diaper area is now bright red and chaffed!  Rash is back and with a vengeance.  

What the heck to I do now?  I'm just about ready to throw in the towel-- er, the diaper!!

[Italiamom]

Cakemama, what kind of dipes are you using again?

[cakemama579]

Kissaloves fitteds,  most are fleece and some are a terrycloth fabric.  Thirsties covers.

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by cakemama579 

Kissaloves fitteds,  most are fleece and some are a terrycloth fabric.  Thirsties covers.

Not sure if this is still a problem for you, but the rash that she's getting, is it better or worse in her folds?  Basically, is the rash more prolific/worse in her folds and crevices, or does it seem to be more on the outer skin/butt, with the crevices being less rashy?

The reason I ask, is that a lot of mamas in the diapering forums will instantly jump to the conclusion of a synthetic sensitivity.  Which is possible.  "Oh, if you use synthetics that must be it, blah blah blah..."  But you can tell by the rash.  If the rash is better in the crevices (the places that aren't touching the diaper), then it is most likely a synthetics sensitivity, or could possibly be a sensitivity to what you're washing with.  But that's honestly rare.  If the rash is worse in the folds, the places that are warmer, hold more moisture/heat, etc., then it's probably less likely to be a detergent/fabric issue, and more likely to be a heat/yeast/etc. issue.

PUL covers hold in heat fairly well.  Fleeces (and any synthetic, really) hold in the heat too.  It makes for a hot, hot little bottom.  If you've stripped the heck out of the dipes for yeast and bacteria (and I maintain that to get rid of yeast well, you need to bleach ALL the dipes), it could just be that your DD is super sensitive to heat on her tushy.  If you want to CD, you might need to go with wool covers and cotton prefolds.  Which isn't helpful when you've got a stash full of something completely different

[cakemama579]

wow, that makes a lot of sense!  The rash is exclusively on the outer skin, and come to think of it looks very much like a heat rash.  I've bleached and thoroughly stripped them, and once they are dry I'll try them one more time--after that, I'm giving up.  Just not worth it to me--I've picked other battles--cding, while important to me, isn't worth my sanity ;)

thanks for the help!

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by cakemama579 

wow, that makes a lot of sense!  The rash is exclusively on the outer skin, and come to think of it looks very much like a heat rash.  I've bleached and thoroughly stripped them, and once they are dry I'll try them one more time--after that, I'm giving up.  Just not worth it to me--I've picked other battles--cding, while important to me, isn't worth my sanity ;)

thanks for the help!

If it's on the outer skin (not so much the crevices) then there's either still soap on your dipes (unlikely after 5 water rinses, unless you were using soap in each of the washes), or more likely you have a baby who is really sensitive to heat or synthetics.  An easy (and cheaper) way to see if that's the case, would be to get a dozen cotton prefolds.  Less than $25, and useful if you decide not to CD.  Use a standard free & clear to prep them, give them a couple of extra hot rinses (NO SOAP), and then diaper with them.  If the rash goes away, then it was a synthetics issue.  If the rash remains with the cotton prefold + your thirsties covers, then it's a heat issue.  And at that point you would need to switch to wool covers.  If your baby still has a rash with wool and well-rinsed cotton prefolds, then I'm stumped.

The fact that it goes away with 'sposies is a good sign that it's not yeast though, which is nice.

Sorry mama, that's a bummer!