swollen! help!

[the elyse]

x posted in life with a babe...
i have a question... my ds is 3 weeks and i'm cloth diapering. he's not circ'd, and his penis is a little red and looks a little swollen. he has a diaper rash that i've been trying to get rid of, and i need to know what i can do for him if anything. i've been using a zinc oxide powder, and know now that some kiddos are allergic. no more powder, and i have him naked now for some air. help!! i'll post a picture of necessary, i'm worried about him!!!

[glongley]

His foreskin is doing its job. Otherwise he'd be having diaper irritation directly on his glans and urinary opening.

Yes, foreskins can get irritated, red, and swollen occasionally, just like other areas of the bottom can, when exposed to the chemical and mechanical irritation of living in the hostile environment of a diaper. And you treat it the same way.

I.e. frequent diaper changes, keep the area clean (wipes aren't always sufficient, you can do tub soaks a couple times a day with baking soda in it to neutralize the ammonia from the diapers), avoid use of commercial wipes and soap (plain H20 only), expose the area to air drying, use a barrier cream to prevent further irritation.

If you're using cloth diapers, be sure you are properly washing them to keep them from carrying harsh urine byproducts (check other boards re: "stripping" the diapers). If you're using cloth diapers, you could try using paper for a few days and see if it helps. (And vice versa for people who use paper diapers).

There are other factors in diaper rash, but hopefully this can help you start problemsolving what's going on.

Also, if you haven't read it, have a look at the NOCIRC pamphlet on care of the intact penis, for good basic info: ttp://www.nocirc.org/publish/4pam.pdf

Congratulations on your new baby, and good for you for keeping him intact!

Gillian

[thixle]

First, it is usually discouraged to show pics of you child's genitals- remember, this is an open forum and there are a few people who could possibly do strange things with that picture. Now, if it is a poster you know and trust, it is perfectly ok (IMO) to privately email that picture for discussion... I know, it doesn't enter your mind at first, though, does it?

ok...

Where is the redness and swelling? generally the entire penis?
My guess is it is either the zinc oxide powder (I have no experience with that), or the diaper rash is on the penis as well. Also, was anyone given antibiotics at or after birth? Boys can get yeast infections, too- and baby yeast looks like a bad, red diaper rash: swollen and painful. But, Unless someone is on antibiotics, you guys have thrush, or you know he has been around someone with yeast problems, I wouldn't automatically think yeast.

is the redness/swelling just the tip? the inside/tip of the foreskin should be slightly more red than the outside (just like lips, eyelids, and vulvas) and he can get a bit of diaper rash there, too. Just load a big dab of diaper ointment (I like creamy desitin, regular BURNS dd) on the tip when you do the rest of the bottom.

Clean, dry naked time is absolutely the best medicine, though!

[the elyse]

thanks mamas! i have some of the large bed pads leftover from our homebirth, so i have him naked laying on that. no antibiotics, and just using water and cloth wipes. i'll try bathing him and see if the swelling goes down. thanks so much!!! (i didn't even think about the picture... yikes. )

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

There is some information here http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=764732 on how to help with irritation.