Cloth Diapers-->Rash??

[ameliasmom]

Hello, my little angel's been in cloth for 6 months. Just recently she's started to get a diaper rash. Yes, we've just started food, but I don't think that's the problem, we were gone for 2 weeks on vacation and I had her in disposables and no rash. As soon as we returned home and started with cloth again, the rash returned.

Could it be my washing routine? Could it be food in combination with my washing routine?

I use both FB and prefolds w/wraps. I wash with All Free and Clear (I know some sites say no to this detergent, but I've never had a build up problem), 3 drops of tea tree oil, occassionally vinegar and I also add a scoop of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda.

Like I said, we've been rash free until now. The other thing that I'm wondering is if it's the wipes solution we use (we use baby bits).

Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks!!:)

[mudder17]

One thing that has changed recently for you is probably the temperature. I found that once it got warm, PUL caused all sorts of rashes. Switching to prefolds and wool covers made a HUGE difference and I saw immediate relief in her rashes. I now use wool most of the time, with fleece for night time and occasionally for days. (I also use fleece pockets during the winter.)

Have you only recently started using baby bits? Some babies on this board have reacted badly to the Baby Bits, and do better with plain water.

Finally, you could try stripping your diapers if you think it might be detergent related. Get some Calgon and wash your diapers on the hottest setting and then do an extra hot cycle to make sure all bubbles are gone.

I hope you're able to get to the bottom of this!

Eileen

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http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 15 months & counting
Kaya's cousin, due October 9th!!!

[tbriese]

i second eileen on the idea of stripping your dipes. i was using waaayyy to much detergent in the beginning and DD had horrible rash problems. once i stripped the diapers, the rash went away. at the time i was using FB and CPF with prorap covers like you are now (i changed to broaden my horizons, not because of any problems).

i have worried about DD being comfie in the PUL but haven't had any problems yet...knock on wood ;-)

good luck! you came to the right place; the mamas on this board were kind and graceful in helping me out when i needed it :-)

[ameliasmom]

Thank you both for the advice. I think I'll cut out the baby bits and strip the diapers to see if that helps with the rash.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[nitaghei]

My DS reacted really badly to Baby Bits. As soon as I switched back to plain water the rash went away. And I second Eileen's suggestion about weather. My DS was okay with PUL until it suddenly got really hot. Again, staying with fleece and wool cleared the rash up.

HTH

Nita (fleece is my friend)
mom to Neel, January 2003
dog mom to a PWD and a cocker (at the Rainbow Bridge)

[ameliasmom]

Well I started up CD again today. I stripped all my diapers with Calgon (that was a fun chore :|). I'm also going to stop using All Free and Clear as I think it was causing buildup on my FB. I got Tide Free and Clear (Tide's ok isn't it??)

Hopefully everything is back to normal now.

Thanks for all of your help and advice :)

[jec2]

Hi, sorry about the rash on your DD. Here is what I would do. First, stop using everything that you are using. You have too many variables and all are very probable contributors to the rash. All F&C gave us TERRIBLE build up and it happened after about 4-5 months of using it to where I had sudes coming out my eyeballs. Also I would not use washing soda. It is much harsher than baking soda and is considered caustic which of course doesn't sound like something you'd want on a baby's tushy tush. here is some more info on the washing soda http://www.thediaperhyena.com/clothdiaperarticle_bakingsoda_washingsoda.htm

Finally, the baby bits is just something that might be exacerbating an already irritated tush. I'd stop using it and only add it back in once slowly once the rash clears up and you know that the build-up & detergent issues are at bay.

[ameliasmom]

Wow, I thought that washing soda was a good thing to use. Ugh. Thanks for the advice.

For the time being I'm just going to was using Tide Free and Clear and use water (dove soap when needed) for wipes.

Just when you think you have everything figured out...

[mudder17]

I've successfully used Tide HE, Tide Free, regular Tide, and liquid Era. But I tend to like adding a bit of Calgon to each of my cycles just to make sure the diapers get clean AND I don't get build-up. But I'm kind of paranoid of build-up because my entire stash is hemp.


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


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