The Child Anomoly (sp?)

[SummerTwilight]

Why must my child have everything that they say WON'T happen if you do all the things I do?
No colds for newborns, esp if you bf. Wrong. And now a MAJOR diaper rash (I assume that is what it is) despite ALL cloth diapers and cloth wipes, which is supposedly impossible to get with cloth or so I have heard/read. What the heck. This poor kid can't catch a break. And I can't put the cloth diapers back on her cause it is all down her leg where the cloth diapers rub and she screams in pain. So all day she was in no diaper with a blanket around her lower half hanging out on a chucks pad and now she has a disposable on loosely cause they aren't so snug on her leg. And she is slathered in Burt's Bee's Diaper Ointment.
How long can I expect this to last and what else can I do if anything?
Whenever she cries in pain I swear it hurts me more. My poor peanut!

[radiogirlgr]

Ohh! Poor little thing! What you can try is drying her bottom after a change with a hairdryer set on low. It will help keep the moisture out of her skin and feels good too... DS1 had a terrible rash at 4-5 months and we did that on the pediatrician's recommendation-and it helped. We also used TONS of Desitin. You might even see if a dose of Tylenol or Motrin will help keep her comfy. It will clear up-hang in there!

[BirthFree]

I have one that can't catch a break too - but I won't bore you with the list (because there IS a list) of why. Ugh.

Poor baby, I'm sorry to hear she's got a terrible rash. We use Burts Bees too, but sometimes we've found that Bag Balm works wonders and I second using the dryer when you change her - and as for if she has an owie bottom... if you can wash her gently with a mild soap instead of using wipes, it may very well sting her less (it did DSs).

What does the rash look like? Does her poop smell different?

Poor baby. We've got a cold (and a rash) here too (and we cloth as well) - sending "I understand" vibes your way.

[KarmaChameleon]

A word to the wise about diaper rashes: Make sure they are not yeasty!!!! If it is yeast, diaper cremes will only serve to make it worse --- if it's yeast, a quick slathering of gentian violet will sooth it immediately.

The only times my babies have screamed bloody murder re: a diaper rash is when it has been yeast. Very painful.

[2 in August]

How do you tell the difference between a "yeasty" rash and any other kind?

Summertwilight, I'm sorry your poor baby is in misery. I second the baby crying being worse for the momma. I know some people don't like it but, we used A&D with my dd for her rashes. She would scream bloody murder if we used Desitin on her. Not sure why, but it just hurt her. I hope you little one is feeling better soon.

[Sailmom]

Mama brains are hardwired in through hormones to their babies. Thus when they cry, we respond, and if they cry A LOT, we get a little panicky (plus we leak milk!) It is so normal, but it is so hard to go through!

As for your diaper rash, I am a firm believer in the hair dryer technique - but you need one with low wattage on low, because a really high powered one, even on low, can be too much heat/air on a baby bum. I think the white noise is soothing as well as the total drying power you get between changes. DD would fall asleep with a blanket over her on the changing table and the hair dryer going. Also important to change diaper frequently. The other thing is, what are you washing your diapers in? It may be your detergent, once wet, is giving your dd a rash. Just a thought.

[BirthFree]

You can tell if the rash is yeasty if there are raised red dots (and look close b/c DSs was like 1/2 an inch from his anus so I kept missing it) - and it can blend into their skin color (like DSs) or if it reaches further out to their bum area it's probably more obvious raised red dots.

Detergent in your diapers can cause a rash, but if you're using a small amt. (very small) when you wash or are double rinsing, unless you've used your diapers a long time and there is build up, you should be fine. You can run them through with no detergent to get any build up out if you like.

[SummerTwilight]

Thanks ladies. Stupid MDC was down the whole time she had the rash so I didn't get to use any of your techniques as it cleared up on its own with just keeping her bum out in the air all day. Will remember for next time.
We are off to the doctor at 8:15 tonight (what a friggen crazy time for a doctor's apt) because she won't stop SCREAMING bloody murder when she is awake (which is a lot cause she barely sleeps).
I swear, I didn't have any PPD or baby blues but what with 2-3 hours of good sleep a night at best and the remaining 22 spent with a howling baby who only stops to nurse I may not last the remainder of the week! : I just want to have a baby who is happy to be alive or awake. Who will have any content time that I can put her down for even a SECOND without escalading crying to hysteria, who will let me pee without her crying, who will let anyone take her besides me even though even with me she is still screaming but she is downright luney if I pass her off to any one else.
I am unraveling and STARVING cause I don't even have time to eat!!!!:
When will it end?!?!?

[BirthFree]

Oh hugs hugs hugs - and major understanding.
I think I have her brother right here.

I'm sorry... and I'm with you in it - does that help at all?
Have you thought about taking her to a chiropractor (who does NOT crunch)? (Did I ask you that already?). It helps Gray a bit... even if for a few days (2 is our max right now, but I'll take it).

Major understanding headed your way.

[taradt]

Mama

I hope it gets better soon

tara

[veganf]

So sorry to hear she's so miserable!
Sounds like you're doing the right thing by keeping her diaper off as much as possible.
I've had criers too. My second baby cried for 12 hours every day nonstop. It's so frustrating. And it's soooo hard not to get any sleep.
And I know it doesn't help to say that by 6 months old you and she will be feeling so much better. But you'll definitely have to celebrate that milestone when you get there.
I wish I could just come over and give you a break for an hour's rest!!

[mamamilkers]

Do you have someone who can come by during the day to give you a break? Even enough time to shower, get a bite to eat, read a trashy magazine or something to relax? Crying babes are SOOOOO hard. My first cried and cried. I just remember counting down the minutes until her dad would get home so I could hand her off and take a shower in peace.

It WILL end. Not that that's much consolation, but it will. I promise! I wish I could come and give you a break, as well

[SummerTwilight]

Thanks mamas. It is GOOD to know it is just a phase and I will live through it as will she. I don't really have any support during the day (or night since dh works nights and sleeps days) because everyone I know works or has young kids of their own to care for. Guess I will just try to ride it out.
Glad to know I am not alone though!