Washing my little baby girl's vulva?

[paint-the-moon]

I just use my hand or a washcloth and water for her girly parts. The reason I ask is because I've noticed that she has a funky odor down there now. My first thought is the smell has nothing to do with needing to wash more thoroughly, but rather is a sign of an infection or something?? I looked closer and don't see any kind of discharge or anything. She does, however, have a pretty bad yeast rash that has been there for a few days again. I'm giving her acidophilus for that, and plenty of airing out time. She's in cloth diapers, we use cloth wipes with just water. Any ideas??

TIA for any help!

[alegna]

I've never *washed* any of dd unless it's really dirty - mud on her feet or whatever (other than hair, which is a different issue and difficult...) So I don't wash her vulva, certainly not with soap. She just sits in the bath with me and splashes about.

-Angela

[paint-the-moon]

Originally Posted by alegna

I've never *washed* any of dd unless it's really dirty - mud on her feet or whatever (other than hair, which is a different issue and difficult...) So I don't wash her vulva, certainly not with soap. She just sits in the bath with me and splashes about.

-Angela

Like I said, I don't wash her down there with soap ... only water. The only thing I use the Burt's Bees on is her hair, hands and feet - which get quite dirty being a curious 10 month old.

My main question was about the odor ... it seems like it could be indicative of an infection of some sort. It wasn't there just several days ago, and the new rash seems to have come at the same time. If it's a vaginal yeast infection will acidophilus be enough to help ... or even a cream like Lotrimin AF. And should I use fleece liners or something to protect my cloth diapers if I do need to use a cream (I try to avoid putting any creams, lotions, etc. at all on DD). Would anybody like to offer help please?

[mcsarahb]

It is very possible, and even likely, that the odor is caused by the yeast, especially if it has spread up into her vagina. I think you are wise to not wash her vulva with soap in general. I would talk to your healthcare provider and see if s/he thinks a systemic yeast treatment is indicated.

As a mom, if you are sure it is yeast, I would recommend grapefruit seed extract orally as well as a GSE wash for the rashy area. See this website for details. Read the whole page; while most of it refers to thrush, there is info on diaper area and vaginal yeast as well. Of course, you may want to get a definitive diagnosis before you go that route.

Good luck!

[crazy_eights]

If it's a yeast rash, it's possible that is where the odor is coming from. You could try some TTO or anti-fungal cream. I think it is really hard to get rid of yeast without treatment - more than just airing out. I don't think oral acidophilus alone will do the trick as a cure either.

[paint-the-moon]

Thank you!! I really appreciate the kind help.

Originally Posted by mcsarahb

It is very possible, and even likely, that the odor is caused by the yeast, especially if it has spread up into her vagina. I think you are wise to not wash her vulva with soap in general. I would talk to your healthcare provider and see if s/he thinks a systemic yeast treatment is indicated.

As a mom, if you are sure it is yeast, I would recommend grapefruit seed extract orally as well as a GSE wash for the rashy area. See this website for details. Read the whole page; while most of it refers to thrush, there is info on diaper area and vaginal yeast as well. Of course, you may want to get a definitive diagnosis before you go that route.

Good luck!

[wonderwahine]

we use lortmin or monistat on ds's yeast rashes, that may be something to try.

[vietsabien]

I'm surprised to see how many mommies don't use soap to wash their baby's girly parts. I always use soap to clean her everytime she poops.

[GooeyRN]

I don't use soap on dd except her hair twice a week. I also use only my hand to clean her girly parts. If she has a mega poo, I use the sprayer on the sink (on low pressure) to get the poo out. I too wonder if it is the yeast making the odor.

[wirewendy]

I can't add much, except to say that it is a very quick test at the Dr. to see if it is yeast, and there are really great medicines that can clear it up in one day. I'd go that route for such a routine type of infection.

[Steve's Wife]

I don't use soap either, just a warm, wet washcloth. I was the outside with soap in the bath.

[paquerette]

I really think "less is more" when it comes to washing baby girl parts. An average poop on the potty gets cleaned with a wipe, anything that gets smushed in a diaper and gets everywhere gets soaking in the tub. Her splashing around and exploring is more than sufficient to keep her clean. Never had a problem. She does get a bit "ripe" if she hasn't had a bath in a couple of days. The vulva is supposed to have something of an odor to it, modern sensibilities notwithstanding. It doesn't mean there's an infection, just that she needs a bath.

I don't think most people would describe yeast as a "funky" smell. It's not foul. It just smells yeasty, like baked goods or beer. Bacterial infections smell nasty, but I think you'd really have to be overzealously cleaning a baby to introduce that.

[JamieCatheryn]

Originally Posted by vietsabien

I'm surprised to see how many mommies don't use soap to wash their baby's girly parts. I always use soap to clean her everytime she poops.

Soap alters the ph balance and invites microbes to get off balance, even after it's rinsed off, that's why it's good to avoid in such places with soap.

[Enudely]

hmmm... I might need to start a new thread unless you mommas want to answer my question too... ?
My dd gets really stinky in her "girl parts" and I was them with soap every day. I was thinking it might be from being in a diaper all night (we do EC, so she never has a diaper rash and hardly ever has wet cloth touching her skin). But lately I've been using sposies at night and only changing them once (she's a heavy night pee-er) SO what I'm wondering is this.... is it normal for her to get stinky? Could it be caused by the soap I'm using on her? (California Baby) Should I stop using soap and see if it gets better? If I don't wash it for a few days, it gets VERY stinky....tia

[AlbertaJes]

Originally Posted by vietsabien

I'm surprised to see how many mommies don't use soap to wash their baby's girly parts.

When I use soap on myself, it burns. Why would I do that to my baby? She gets the same treatment I do, water and a washcloth.

[mimid]

My girls get whatever soap is in the bathwater and I figure it is enough. No stinkies for them! I do use a bit of BB baby soap on their bums if it is a nasty poop, but not up front.

[an_aurora]

DD is 16 months and I've never once used soap on her diaper area. In the bath, she splashes around with whatever small amount of soap is in the water, and when she was little and had a nasty poop I would just rinse gently with water. I don't use soap on my private parts and I don't on hers either. Soap can cause imbalances in the natural bacteria of the vagina and cause problems.

[Sijae]

I don't use soap on mine because it is uncomfortable so I wouldn't use soap on hers. I think overzealous cleaning down there upsets the balance. The "cleaning system" described here sounds really overzealous to me.

Laura

[wonderwahine]

Originally Posted by Sijae

I don't use soap on mine because it is uncomfortable so I wouldn't use soap on hers. I think overzealous cleaning down there upsets the balance. The "cleaning system" described here sounds really overzealous to me.

Laura

agreed, i only wash my own with a spray of water.

[Swirly]

I wash my own with shower gel, and have had no problems. I use water on my daughter most of the time, and a gentle gel on occasions if she has had one of her blockbuster, sludgy poops.