Cloth Diaper Diaper Rash

Updated on November 03, 2008
N.S. asks from Tucson, AZ
15 answers

We started our son about 3 months ago on cloth diapers. He was around 14 months. He had about one to two daipers rashes in disposables. We had heard that diaper rashes occur less in cloth diapers, but this didn't really matter to us since he rarely got rashes anyhow. So it's been 3 mnths and he's had 2 diaper rashes. The first time, we switched him back to disposables and it went away. It's now 2 weeks later and it is back.
We change his diaper every 2-3 hours whether he needs it or not. I wash the diapers on a rise cycle with no soap or anything and then on a sanitary cycle with just a drop of color/odor free cleaner (we have a front loader, so you only need 1/4 the normal amount). I dry them in the sun. I use vinegar every 5-6 times that they are washed to help with odor.
Am I doing something wrong? Is there anything that can help? We use the pocket Bum Genius. We feel like we have to make it sort of tight on him so that the diaper doesn't leak? Is there a better choice of diaper out there? We were thinking of getting prefolds with the liners for the next baby, but if they would help our son now, we'll just get some now. Thanks!

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A.S.

answers from Phoenix on

I too use the Bum Genius pockets and have a front loader. I put the soap in first for a soak cycle. Then I run a regular hot cycle. I then add just a drop of soap and run another warm cycle with an extra rinse. I heard that for front loaders you need to do two short washes to effectively clean them. My son does get the occassional rash, but I use a diaper ointment that is safe for cloth and it goes away right away. Good luck!

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C.H.

answers from Albuquerque on

We use kushies, which are flannel, so I am not sure my experience will translate to the bum genius diapers. We used prefolds until he outgrew the ones I had. I wash them with biokleen and put vinegar in the rinse every time. I do a second rinse. Every so often I put a tiny amount of bleach and then do another rinse. We line dry. I change him usually more often than every 2 hours. If I am in a situation where I know I won't change him for more than 2 hours, I use a disposable. We use disposables at night for that reason.

Our son has several food sensitivities, and one way I figured out what they were was based on diaper rash after very brief poo contact with his bottom in any kind of diaper. Citrus and peas were our culprits. Since eliminating those from his diet, his bottom is just perfect!

My husband and I were just talking last night about our son's diaper-rash-free bottom (I know, sad, huh?).

btw, the reasons we like cloth are that we feel it is less expensive for us, and he knows he is wet so I hope it will be easier to potty train when it comes to that. That is also why we change him so often, and why I need to go wash a load of diapers!
good luck!
C.

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S.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

I notice the exact same thing with mine. I just put her in a disposable at night with some diaper cream and it usually clear up and we start over. Airing out too if you can. I was surprised too but the wetness stays near them and I guess it gets irritated. I sometimes don't smell her bowels and it doesn't take long at all for her to turn red. Sounds like you are doing all you can, but the disposable at night makes a big difference. all the best, S.

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K.H.

answers from Albuquerque on

Hi I am a mother of 3.
Once the rash is there I would just bathe my kids everytime I changed his/her diaper. Even a quick dunk if you have to. If you don't have time or value getting rid of the rash or rashes then at least bathe the baby or toddler everytime he poops. Yes for every poopey diaper give them a bath or just sit their bottom in the sink or tub. The main idea is to get all the bacteria off from the rash and plus you don't hurt it by rubbing with a baby wipe. I personally think a rash with poop on all over it being wiped with the baby wipe chemicals is so gross and can make the rash worse. Once my kid was in the tub or sink I would even use my hands with gentle soap instead of a wash cloth since it was smoother and hurt less on the bottom. Then you can start fresh and put the diaper rash medicine on. I liked the white kind of diaper rash. It seemed to work the best for me. I noticed when I did the bath method the rash went away much faster and I had a happier kid and in the long run it saves you time and worry. I absolutely hate diaper rash and think it is uncalled for but really the soaking of the water is such a relief and fast healing method. If your kid doesn't want the bath too bad just at least do it quick enough to clean the poop off. It really doesn't take that long. Of course get most of the poop off with baby wipes then dunk the bottom to get a full cleaning. It is the cleanest and heathiest method! Good luck!

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T.P.

answers from Phoenix on

Is th rash around the outer edges? (like where the diaper rubs?). We had issues until we switched t Purex free and clear detergent....(and we only use a touch of it to clean them as well). The other "enzyme/dye free" stuff seemed to irritate.
I used burts bees diaper ointement to clear it up and then we had no issues after the switching of detergent.
The reason normal diaper rash occurs is wetness. Another good thing is to make sure his bum is dry before putting a new diaper on. (after wipes etc). Cloth diapers may be left on for less tim than disposables, but they do keep wetness on him.....

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K.E.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't know about the new diapers we used regular cloth diapers. Did you try switching
your laundry detergent? He could be allergic to something in the detergent.

Take care,
K.

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V.R.

answers from Albuquerque on

It might be fungal, so he might need a cream from a doctor or it might not go away.

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A.

answers from Albuquerque on

For fit and less diaper rash, I have to say that Fuzzi Bunz seem to be the best option across the board. There are exceptions, of course. Prefolds keep the urine next to the skin, so that might be an issue for you, if that's the source of the rash (urine to skin contact). Your son is getting older and is eating more and eating different things, so it's common for rashes to increase with an older baby and may not necessarily have to do with cloth. Has he had any new foods lately? More citrus? That's just something else to consider. My last suggestion is to just be sure your washing the diapers on HOT water. Turn up the water heater, not just set the washer on high. This isn't necessary for everyone, but would be a good experiment to make sure you're really getting out all the detergent from the pockets AND inserts. Hope that helps some!

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S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

From what I have heard, some babies are allergic to the suedecloth used in the inside pocket of the diaper. I love the Kissaluvs and Happy Heinys fitteds with a Thirsties cover (especially for a newborn). You might try some different types of diapers and see if that helps. Sometimes using vinegar can cause problems too or maybe all the detergent is not being rinsed out completely, I always do a final cold short rinse. I hope you figure it out.
S.
www.diaperstyle.com

ps.through November I am offering 10% off your entire purchase. use coupon code "first10"

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J.V.

answers from Phoenix on

I use organic corn starch and dust it on with his diaper changes... no rashes!

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B.B.

answers from Phoenix on

My son had a few rashes when he was in diapers and what we did for him was clean his butt with a wash cloth and mild soup and warm water and that would help. It may be the wipes thats irritating his skin. Just a thought, good luck.

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A.K.

answers from Albuquerque on

I, too use the bum pockets. I put the soap in the first cycle and no soap in the second, that way it gets extra rinsed. What kind of wipes are you using? If he was wet or you use wet-wipes, let him get totally dry before you put the next diaper on him. My boys rarely get rashes, but when they do we use Tender Tush from KidScents and it clears up in the same day...

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M.O.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi N.,

I started out with prefolds and they were great, then swiched to all in one's thinking they would be easier for my hubby and mom to help with and did not like the way they worked, and my daughter did not like they way they felt. So we went back to the prefolds. I have 12 prefolds and 3 covers and just resuse the covers (wiping them out with wipe solution and a cloth wipe at diaper changes unless some how they got poop on them, which hasnt happened since she was really little). If there are poopy ones I scoop the poopout with flushable wipes and then I rinse them in hot water, wash them on cold with a little natural soap and rinse in cold, then put them in the dryer on hot (since they are cotton they can handle it). I dont have any issues with odor. Hope this info helps. :)

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C.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Is your son a hot/sweaty baby? it may be that his skin isn't breathing enough through the waterproof layer in the diaper. We use the same diapers, and prefolds. I like to alternate them a bit to give him some "air out" time. We also use Northern Essence tea-tree free diaper salve. it's pocket diaper safe and it seems to help keep the moisture off his bum. you can only buy it online but it lasts quite a while.

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K.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I too use Bum Genius. I noticed that if I leave the diaper on him too long he will get a rash. When that happen I found an Amazing diaper rash cream called Grandms elles it works so good usually cleares up the rash in 1 day. You can purchase the cream through Gogonatural.com

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