Whats Going On?? Please Help

Thats a tough situation. But if they really look like bites... about 6 months ago my daughter had a whole lot of red spots all over her body. and they were from bed bugs. I guess they were leaving in this small feather bed. I took that out of where she was sleeping and they slowly went away...I would just make a suggestion on washing the sheets. But I dont know what to do if that isnt the case.

My daugher is almost two and she cries hysterical half of the time I change her diaper because she does not want to lay still and she loves to be naked so it is a constant battle to keep her diaper on anyhow. Also, she is very fair skinned like her dad and bruises easily like me (her mom) so she constantly has scratches or bruises all over her because she is so active. My biggest fear is that some concerned individual who does not know the whole story but is trying to do something good, will think she is abused and maybe even report that she is. I don't want people to even think that because I love her so much, how could they think that. Also I have had no experience or known anyone who has with DFS but you always hear the horror stories of how they talke the child away first and then ask questions later. Anyway, you only have to watch her interact with us to see how loved she is and see how rambunctious she is to understand that she is a happy, extremely well loved and taken care of little girl who likes to play hard. For example, she slipped in her baby pool and landed right on the corner of the little steps that go to the slide (I was standing by the slide, in the pool,to hold her hands as she went down it but could not catch her in time) and got a big bruise right on her bottom. A concerned day care provider could easily have mistaken that for something we did to her. I just wanted to say, talk to the mom and make sure you aren't jumping to conclussions because sometimes kids just have bumps and bruises and rashes because they are kids.

Hi J.,
You need to talk with mom but i would do it in a way that you are not accusing her or anyone in her family of doing something wrong. So here is how i would go about it, when her mother gets there tonight i would ask her have you see these other spots ? Ask her what she thinks you/her should put on them specially the ones in her diaper area ? And has she ever had this problem before and what should be done to get them to heal ?
In every relationship communication is the key including theparent/provider one. For you to assume something is going on that isn't is not fair to the child or the parents. And it would be no different is she automatically assumed something wrong was going on in your house with her daughter. It is not uncommen that when children have an issue in there diaper area for them to be upset when you change their diaper. I have a little girl that i watch and she has very sensitive skin and she has pooped a number of times while we are eating breakfast/lunch and me not known until we are done eating lunch. She gets upset when her butt hurts and i have to clean her up. She does the something and acts the sameway with her mother. And it would be wrong for the both of us to assume the other was doing something wrong. Depending on what these spots are i'm sure they do hurt. Think about for us mommies when we have issues in a certain area, I wouldn't want anybody jackin' with me either, lol!!

I would just talk to mom don't incinuate something or accuse just ask what you should put on them and how to keep it from happening and maybe even ask if it is something that needs a trip to the peds office, and then go from there. I hope this helps you W.

P.S. I myself am a home child care provider and when I have a question or an issue I ask it but I don't accuse or incinuate anything, I wouldn't want someone to do it to me.

I'm a teacher and I know that as such I am obligated to report anything of this nature. I would definately be suspicious that something is going on at home. The spots in themselves, but also because it was very traumatic for her to have her diaper changed. You should approach the parents first and see how that goes. If it continues then I would contact DHS. That may sound negative, but they can help parents get help if needed and help protect the child. They do everything they can to help the child stay with the parents as long as they are safe. I do believe that you have been placed in her life to help her as best you can. I will be praying for you and this little girl.

I think that automatically calling in authorities is not the thing to do. I agree with asking the mom how you should treat the "bites" and watch her reactions very closely. 3 of my 4 kids are very allergic to any kind of insect bites. My 4 yr old son has 3 mosquito bites right now that have caused red welts at least 3 inches wide with a knot. One of them was on the side of his temple and swelled into his eye so it looks aweful like he was hit in the head. It would break my heart if someone just called Child Protective services without asking me what happened to him. It puts a negative situation into a family's life that might not be deserved. Also, my 20 month old daughter hates to get her diaper changed so that doesn't mean a lot. However, if the mom offers no comfort to you on this and has a bad attitude I would gently warn her that if she doesn't take him to a doctor to get the wounds treated you are obligated as a registered childcare provider to report his injuries. Please be careful and consider all involved.

Oh my, I feel for you. That puts you in a very awkward situation. I think her behavior says alot. If she's never acted that way till recently, I would be talking to somebody. You can never be too safe when it comes to child, especially one who can't speak for their self. I have a friend that works in the exploited and missing children's unit. He is a detective. He lives two houses down. I can ask him for you what you should do. Hope this helps.

Hey J.,

I wanted to tell you that my babysitter's daughter had something very similiar, and the Dr's discovered that it was MRSA(an infection that cannot be treated by certain antibiotics or creams). These small bumps looked like bug bites and were very painful, but they were also contagious.She would scream and cry whenever her diaper was changed.
My daughter and son both got infected, and it took alot of prescriptions, cleaning everything in our house and diluted bleach baths to get rid of it. If these bumps start growing, or they start to look like a pimple , you should probably ask the Mom to take her to the Dr.
All of our children were in a lot of pain with this problem. They also didn't want their diapers changed. These bumps were very painful to the touch. Sorry this is so long, but I noticed that no one else posted anything about this. if you think it could be MRSA, and you need more info, email me at ____@____.com or google it. Good luck!

I would definatly ask the mom about it but try not to sound like you are accusing her. i know my daughter has to look abused half the time because she just started walking and CONSTANTLY is losing her balance and hitting her face or arms on something. Even though most of the time it doesn't even hurt her she bruises easily. Babies just have sensitive skin and things like bumps or bites or allergic reastions usually look worse on a small child.
My little nephew has excema and that's kind of what it looks like so maybe it could be something like that. But when you ask the mom just make sure to watch how she reacts just in case it is something that is going on that is wrong.
Ashley

It can be so hard to tell on things like this. The fact that she doesn't like her diaper changed can mean a lot of things. And the red spots on the back could easily be bug bites as well as her privates. If she has been digging around at night itching those spots, she would not want to let you touch or wipe them because it would hurt.

How long have you had her? Do you know her well enough to see a change in her over-all demeanor? I wish there was an easy way to know for sure.

Suzi

Without details on the spots I would be guessing...but it sounds like bug bites. (could be flees, misquitoes, mites, spider, ect......) Also, it's getting hot and it might just be heat rash, poison ivy/oak, or even ring worms. I would jump righ to something going on w/ the parents. Let us know how it goes talking to the mom. I think that will tell you a bunch!!

This would really worry me too. It could be nothing, but it never hurts to ask. Then the mom will know you are observant and really care about her child.

I also echo what others have said. Call for help, if you feel it is needed.

I hope this all works out!

Hey J., Boy this is a sad situation if it looks the way it sounds. I don't know your relationship with the mother and you can decide if she's responsive to your concerns with her daughter, but my fear would be for you that she could become angry and maybe even shift the blame onto you. Before I became a mother I used to be a nanny. My first step in reguarding their children was to speak to the mother/parents. When handling this sort of situation, I would have someone present with you when the conversation takes place, just for your protection. I would also document the behavior of the girl and the time of day. I would also write down where these spots are on her body. Maybe even call someone who specializes in these matters and gently place your concerns to them, document that, too. Ask them what you should do and what percautions you should take. I would ask them if you could take pictures (not in private area) but the other areas. I feel bad giving advice of this nature when maybe it turns out to be nothing, but it shows concern and compassion towards the children, and at that, you are protecting yourself from being accused. She also may not bring her child back to you for care, but if it saves a child for any mis treating you are a hero. I could'nt imagine how terrified any child would be if mistreating were occuring. I hope this helps, take care.

My daughter had some raw red spots around her privates as well. I took her to the doctor but they couldn't figure out what was causing them. I was perscribed an antibiotic cream and pills, but the spots still did not go away.

By chance, I changed the Johnson and Johnson baby wash I was using, and the spots cleared up and have never come back. Maybe ask the little girls Mom if she uses Johnson and Johnson, and ask her to change to Huggies or something else. See if there is a change.

Hope this is nothing more serious! Maybe another type of infection if she is sore enough to lift her legs to put her panties on.

Good luck, I when I was nannying, it was hard to ask the parents what had happened to their son.

She may be fighting the diaper changes because the red bumps hurt/itch. And maybe a baby wipe rubbing over it makes it feel worse? Just talk to the mom and try to work together as a team to figure out what to put on the bumps to relieve her or maybe she needs to be seen by the pediatrician if they're getting worse or spreading.

I think I would ask a professional and find out what they say.