What's with the Rash?

There are a lot of cloth diapering moms that get really, really lucky. As long as their babies are cloth diapered, they almost never have to deal with a serious rash. Whether it’s the lack of chemicals or simply the stay-dry fabric, their tiny bundle’s bum remains entirely rash-free throughout all of their cloth diapering career. “Why,” they brag openly, “the most I ever had to deal with was a little bit of redness!” That’s great for those moms (and their babies), but others just aren’t that lucky. So what do you do when your baby gets a rash while they’re in cloth?

Consult your doctor, not the internet. If you Google, the results will terrify you (because of course, the first result is never “this is a perfectly common rash that will clear up on its own”). If you go to a Facebook board, the answers will range far and wide, with every mom swearing by a completely different remedy. If your baby has a challenging rash that just won’t go away, or a particularly bad rash, or even just a rash that causes you to worry, then talk to your pediatrician! They’ve seen it all before and will have a better idea of how to treat it. That’s not to say that your mommy friends won’t have some great natural remedies for minor diaper rash; it’s just to say that your pediatrician is probably a safer source of information for any major health problem.

If you need to use heavy-duty rash cream, use a barrier. This might mean purchasing a roll of liners, using Viva paper towels (they’re strong, absorbent, and do a great job as a barrier). Personally, I prefer cutting up fleece and using it as my barrier, and so far, it’s worked fine. However, heavy-duty rash cream is designed to create a liquid-proof barrier—so you don’t want it to end up on your diapers. If it does in spite of your best efforts, scrub the diaper down with Dawn and a toothbrush. Most of the time, that will take care of it.

Also, keep in mind what diaper you’re putting on your child if you’re going to be using rash cream. Flats are cheap, flour sack towels under a dollar, and if something happens and you can’t get it to start absorbing again, you won’t be out much. On the other hand, putting your baby in your favorite custom work-at-home mom diaper and hoping that the paper towel you’ve got in there will be enough to keep the rash cream off of it might not be your best bet.

Air time, air time, air time. Rashes need to be dry to heal. If you’ve got a crawler or a walker on your hands, the idea of letting your child go diaperless might terrify you. Try taking a minute to play with your naked baby while you’re changing their diaper—at least long enough to make sure that their tiny bum is completely dry—or wiping them down with a dry wipe before putting a new diaper back on. Also, if you can’t get in naked bum time, fitted diapers allow for a lot more airflow—just be prepared to change much more often depending on how frequently your baby wets. A prefold pinned into place can also be effective, but don’t let baby run around in a snappi’d or boingo-d prefold or flat without a cover—those things are sharp!

Change frequently. Rashes need to be dry to start to heal, right? So you don’t want your baby sitting in a wet diaper any longer than they have to. If this is a challenge for you, try changing whenever you move to a new activity—before nap, after nap; before feeding, after feeding; before leaving the house, after arriving at your destination; and so on. The great thing about cloth diapers is that it doesn’t cost you anything extra to change more often, and it may be the difference between a rash that clears up in a couple of days and a rash that sticks around for a while.

Don’t be afraid of disposables. Sometimes, what you really need is a good, healthy coating of non-cloth-diaper-safe rash cream and a disposable diaper. Flip and GroVia both make some great disposable inserts—and the best thing about them is, they don’t come sized. That means that if you use half a dozen of them now and don’t pick them up again for a year, they’re still going to fit just fine, instead of being something that you have to throw away or repurpose. No need to guess about size, either (which can be a serious concern for cloth diapering moms—talk about one that disposable diapering moms don’t understand!), because they’re designed to fit any baby, and you can always double up for added absorbency if needed. It’s not “failing” if you need to use a few disposables; it’s just taking care of your baby.
With any luck, your baby will be one of those who breezes through their diapering years without a major rash problem; but if they aren’t, well…at least there are ways to get through it!

By Emily


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What's with the Rash?

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Adventures in Booty Rash

When Little B developed an infected ingrown toenail at just 2 months old, I thought that the antibiotics that the doctor prescribed to treat it would be the end of my worries. Little did I know that our adventure was just beginning! About a week into the 2-week course of antibiotics, he started developing a diaper rash. Back to the nurse’s hotline I went!

Having described the little red bumps and redness in the creases of his legs and that if I only put rash cream on the red part, other areas just broke out, the nurse and I were able to determine that Little B had likely developed a yeast rash. Since I caught it at the very beginning, she suggested that instead of prescription medicine, we should try some home remedies first. So we gave him baths 3 times a day in warm water and baking soda followed by lots of diaper-free time, and continuing with traditional (petroleum-based) cream mixed with over-the-counter miconazole (yeast infection cream) at every diaper change. This necessitated the use of a flushable liner. We liked the Bummis brand because their generous size kept our diapers protected even when they inevitably shifted, however we did find that we had to throw them out rather than flush because our old plumbing could not handle them.

After two weeks on this regimen, we were all getting a bit frustrated. While the bumps seemed to have disappeared and the rash was no longer spreading, Little B still had quite the red booty in some places. I felt like his booty should be looking better at this point, and my mommy instinct was telling me that things needed to change in order for Little B to get fully healed. Little B had no patience for his booty baths, even though we had made up a little song and dance for him (“A-booty booty booty, A-rash rash rash!” bought us maybe half a day). Furthermore, in our exceedingly dry Minnesota winter, even with lots of lotion Little B’s skin was getting very dry. To top it off, our caretaker kept forgetting to use a liner with the rash cream – I nearly cried when a generous helping of cream ended up smeared on our brand new bumGenius 4.0 Mirror! Not my precious Mirror! 4 hours of Dawn scrubbing with a toothbrush and one very sore wrist later, I was DONE and started looking for other options (no worries, the Dawn scrub followed by a hot wash with cloth diaper-safe detergent really did remove the cream and my diaper was saved, I mean Little B’s diaper).

After a lot of research, I realized that Little B’s yeast rash seemed to be cleared, but the bright red, dried-out looking rash that remained behind (pun intended) was most likely due to how acidic his poop had gotten after taking the antibiotic. A close friend suggested 100% pure, unscented argan oil to help his very dried out little booty. Being a pure, plant-harvested oil, it did stain our cloth diapers. We like the argan oil versus other types of oils because it soaks into the skin within seconds, and a little goes a long way! I also discovered that there are myriad cloth diaper-safe diaper rash creams. I promptly ordered the aptly named GroVia Magic Stick to protect Little B’s healing booty from what it was producing, until his digestive system regulated. We love the Magic Stick because the twist-up design means you don’t have to get any goop on your hands, and after a suspected yeast rash you can cut off the top with a kitchen knife and still use the rest of the stick rather than having to throw out the whole thing.

After every diaper change, we spread on a little argan oil, let it soak in during 10-30 minutes of diaper free time, then slathered him up with his Magic Stick before replacing his diaper. This worked like a charm – within 2 days he was totally healed and the rash finally stayed gone. To ensure it didn’t come back, we added chlorine-free bleach (half the manufacturer’s recommended amount) to our diaper laundry and washed on hot then did two extra rinses. Regular hot washes during the infection should do the trick but we added the bleach just to be on the safe side.

We still use the Magic Stick every night before bedtime, and every time we think he might be starting to develop something, we spread on a little argan oil and seal it up with the Magic Stick at each diaper change, and it’s usually gone by the next morning. No more liners and messy paste, no more worrying about my precious, pretty diapers getting ruined, no more carpal tunnel, and no more angry red booty!

Note: If you suspect any type of booty rash please call your healthcare professional first! This post is meant to help us cloth-diapering parents navigate treatments that won’t ruin our precious, pretty diapers and does not substitute for healthcare professional recommendations.

Bio: Leah is a full-time molecular biologist, partner to John and mommy to Little B & her 3 furbabies. She’s a headstrong Minnesotan woman who loves to cook, craft and cloth diaper.


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Adventures in Booty Rash

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StreptoWHAT?

It began as a simple rash. We'd dealt with these before. I was a pro. I have extremely sensitive skin and I often get rashes when the weather is changing, when I try a new product or, basically, whenever I breathe. The rash on my 2 and a half year old son's bottom looked just like the kind of rash I get on my legs where my pants rub and I just assumed his skin was suffering from the dry Colorado weather like mine does every.single.year.

I slathered the rash with all kinds of creams from calendula, GroVia Magic Stick to CJ's BUTTer. We tried air time, changing to pull-ups at night instead of cloth diapers. We even tried coconut oil.

But the rash got worse. The spots started to bleed. I just assumed that was because he just wouldn't stop itching. We couldn't kick it.

And then my daughter got a weird sore on her neck. Little pimple like sores started popping up on her legs and face and then finally on her diaper area. In a matter of mere hours, the rash went from something that looked simple and manageable to a site that truly scared me. I decided it was time to go see the pediatrician.

The answer, "Streptococcal." StreptoWHAT?! I'd never heard of it but I knew I was David and this rash was Goliath. She prescribed a topical antibiotic, as well as an oral antiboitic, for both kids.

I thought that things would start to clear up. Little did I know that the battle had just begun and this Goliath was laughing in my face. Things got worse. I came down with Mastitis and an eye infection which made it impossible to drive or go out into sunlight for several days. I was put on an antibiotic eye drop but decided to flush the mastitis out without antibiotics.

YIKES! Although there is no real way to say that these things are all related but I'd never had either issue.

Here is how we beat Goliath.

1. Normally our kids take a bath together but I started bathing them separately.
2. I washed all of our diapers with bleach and rinsed them over and over again in hot water. I packed them away until I was sure the rash was completely gone.
3. I bleached the tub after every single bath. And bleached the toilet every time my son went to the bathroom.
4. We applied the diaper rash cream as prescribed.
5. I put my son in a onesie as often as I could so he wouldn't itch the rash and touch anything.
6. I made sure to wash my hands, my son's hands and my daughter's hands as often as possible.

If you are dealing with a rash that isn't familiar or isn't going away, it is a good idea to reach out to your pediatrician. If you have multiple children, do your best to prevent the rash from spreading between them (use separate towels, different sets of diapers, different bathing times, etc).

Also, the wonderful ladies at Kelly's Closet and The Cloth Diaper Whisperer are an amazing resource for solving any cloth diaper related issue, including how to clear out the bacteria in your diapers from these yucky Goliath type rashes.

Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by or defeated by this giant. You don't have to give up cloth diapers just because your child gets a bad rash.

Mindy is mommy to two spunky kids who have both been clothed diapered mostly from birth!  She can often be found stalking kellyscloset for no reason or trying something “crunchy” like washing her hair with baking soda!  Follow along (when she has time) at neckdeepinlove.blogspot.com.

StreptoWHAT?

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Not all Sensitivities are Created Equal

We started cloth diapering our older boy when he was two-and-a-half. I thought I had everything figured out by the time we had our second child, but baby number two has proven to be difficult. As much as we loved our pocket diapers with our first child, our second has sensitive skin, and almost all man-made fibers give him diaper rash, especially polyester. For those who don't know, microfiber and fleece both are made from polyester- that's a lot of diaper material!

At first, I freaked out, wondering if we were going to be able to cloth diaper him at all. Then I realized that disposable diapers would only made the problem worse, and I bucked up and started trying things. We have destashed and restashed three (yes, three!) times in the past four months, and here's what I've learned:

• Not all sensitivities are created equal. Technically, our son does not have any allergies to diaper material. Some kids do have allergies to certain materials, and those allergies will result
  in a rash that looks like hives. Sensitivities, however, are much harder to figure out. Generally, kids with sensitive skin will get diaper rash when they wear an incompatible diaper, and this rash may be difficult to get rid of. The resulting rash will usually be at its worst in the morning, after baby has had the diaper on the entire night.
• There are some obvious materials that cause sensitivity. The most common causes of sensitivity are man made materials or wetness. Some kids, like mine, cannot tolerate synthetic materials such as polyester, so these kids need to steer clear of anything marked “stay dry”. On the other hands, some kids are very sensitive to wetness, so these children need to use stay dry products all the time or use a fleece or suedecloth liner against their skin when they have on natural fibers.
• Some sensitivities are harder to figure out. In addition to intolerance to synthetic fibers, our son also has sensitivities to rough fibers. He cannot have any wool or hemp products touching his skin. The long, rough fibers in hemp and wool irritate some babies' skin, and they should be avoided. Usually, fiber sensitivities run in families, so if you or your spouse can't tolerate wool, there's a good chance your child can't either. Some kids also have difficulty wearing diapers with dyes or inorganic compounds, like pesticides, in them. For these kids, unbleached and organic is the way to go.
• It can be very easy to diagnose skin sensitivity and allergies. If your child suffers from constant diaper rash, try switching to organic, unbleached materials for at least a week. If the rash is cleared up by switching to pure, natural fibers, there's a good chance your child has either skin sensitivity or allergies.
• There are plenty of diapers out there for sensitive-skin kids. Diapers labeled “organic” and “unbleached” are usually pretty safe for kids with sensitive skin. For all-in-one users, try Bumgenius Elementals or Grovia All-In-Ones. You will probably have to skip pocket diapers because of the stay-dry pocket, but Flip, Grovia, and Best Bottoms all make easy to use all-in-two systems with organic options. For a less expensive option, try unbleached prefolds or flats. Bamboo fitteds are also an excellent option for kids with sensitive skin because bamboo is both natural and a short fiber. Bamboo fitteds are also good for a kid who is both sensitive and a heavy wetter, like my little guy.

If you have a baby with sensitive skin, rest assured that you can find a cloth diaper option that will work well for you. It may take some trial and error, but cloth is the best option for delicate skin.

Bio: Heather is a fourth-generation Montanan, mom to two crazy-boys, and wife to one amazing husband. You can follow her eco-sensible lifestyle at moderatelycrunchy.blogspot.com

Not all Sensitivities are Created Equal

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Cloth Diapering a Sensitive Bottom

We’ve all heard cloth is good for baby’s skin as compared to the plastics and chemicals commonly found in disposables, but what if your cloth diapered baby breaks out into a rash that clears up when you switch back to throw-aways? This happens more often than you might think, but there are lots of things you can try before giving up on cloth.

First of all, tackle the rash while you search for the cause. For a generic rash, any cloth diaper safe cream will do, but if you need something stronger or have to get a prescription and the ingredients aren’t cloth friendly, invest in a roll of flushable liners to use in your diapers while medicating your little one’s bum. They are very economical; the 100-count Bummis roll is just $8.00. And before assuming cloth is the problem, rule out medical or biological causes like yeast, food allergies, teething, colds and flu, all which can spark a rash on your baby’s bottom.

Ok, so if baby is not sick or teething and doesn’t have any food allergies, then why the rash?

Is your baby wearing primarily pockets? If so, then the answer is most likely that he or she is sensitive to microfleece, suedecloth or velour, all of which are commonly used to line the inside of diapers. Although these are marketed as “stay dry” fabrics and work great for most babies, sensitivities are possible. Fortunately, there are pocket diapers like the BabyKicks Basic and BabyKicks Premium which give you the option of putting a natural fiber like hemp right up against the skin, instead of synthetic polyester. Another option would be to try bamboo pocket diapers, which have a gentle and hypoallergenic inner lining. And remember that the microfiber inserts included with pocket diapers are never meant to be placed right against your baby’s skin. They must be stuffed in the pocket as this fabric is irritating to almost all babies, sensitive or not!

Is your baby using cotton prefolds or flats? It’s possible that your child is especially sensitive to wetness, even though you’re using natural fibers. In that case, pockets or other “stay dry” diapers might work for you. If you are curious about pockets but don’t want to shell out a lot of cash, Kawaii would be a good brand to try as an experiment. If you want to stick with your prefolds or flats, consider laying a stay-dry insert on top. Sometimes, just changing more frequently and keeping a good cloth diaper safe cream on their bum will also do the trick. And yes, it’s even possible that your baby could be allergic to cotton, so if the redness hangs around after trying the above fixes, consider hemp or bamboo instead.

One of the best things about diaper inserts and liners is that they can allow you to test out a different fabric against your baby’s skin while still using the system you have in place.

Is your baby’s rash or skin irritation limited to a very small area? Some mothers might discover redness around the waist or legs and assume baby is allergic to cloth. But the issue is most likely improper fit. When the waistband or leg band is too tight, it can cause some really nasty redness. Sometimes, velcro is the culprit. Make sure it’s not rubbing your baby’s skin anywhere when fastening the cover or diaper. Your baby might also be sensitive to the type of fabric used on the waistband and leg bands, such as fold-over elastic which contains latex. Try a diaper or cover with the elastic hidden or “encased” inside PUL, TPU or microfleece.

Is your baby getting a rash no matter what diaper you try? Does the rash go away as soon as you go back to disposables? In this case, there might be a problem with your laundry routine. Have you tried switching detergent brands in case there is an ingredient your baby is sensitive to? Are diapers being thoroughly rinsed, or could they use a good stripping?

Getting to the bottom of a rash, allergy or skin sensitivity may take a little bit of detective work, but it’s worth the time and effort if it will help keep your baby and cloth and keeping saving your family money!

BIO: Anne is a cloth diapering, home schooling, hobby farming and just all-around busy mother of 5 wonderful children and is expecting another in January! She is the creator of the Zephyr Hill Blog and works from home as a professional naming consultant through her business Discovery Naming Service.

Cloth Diapering a Sensitive Bottom

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A Tale of Three Days in Disposables

I lay down my little one to change her fluffy diaper to find a terrible rash spreading from her diaper area down her legs and up her trunk. I couldn’t fathom what would have caused such a terrible, splotchy rash. My daughter has very sensitive skin and would have very slight redness in her chubby rolls from time to time, but never anything I would even consider calling diaper rash. Was it an allergic reaction? I couldn’t think of anything we had done differently that day to cause such a bad rash, but I racked my brain over and over trying to figure it out.

I cleaned her up and loaded her bottom with Grandma El’s diaper remedy and a fleece liner to protect my diapers from too much of a good thing (even though Grandma El’s is cloth diaper friendly, I still like to protect my precious fluff). Making sure to change her frequently, the rash was not subsiding, but instead getting worse and spreading. I made an appointment that day to see her doctor.

Because her signs and symptoms didn’t line up with any one diagnosis, the doctor told us to watch it and keep her as clean and dry as possible. She recommended loading her up with Aquafor and/or Desitin. Knowing neither of these were going to come anywhere near my cloth diapers, I headed to the store to pick up some gDiaper biodegradable inserts to use in my Flip covers. I was still very careful not to spread the “unsafe” creams too far out onto her legs or trunk in order to protect the Flip covers.

Another day and it wasn’t getting much better. I knew I needed to extend the cream onto her legs and trunk too in order to protect her poor skin. Because I didn’t want to risk anything non-cloth diaper friendly getting on the Flip covers, I drove myself to our local Target to pick up a small package of as baby and Earth friendly disposable diapers as I could find.

Much to my dismay, there were no baby friendly or Earth friendly diapers available for me to purchase. It had been over 6 months since I had stepped foot down the disposable aisle at Target because we were using 100% cloth. I had no idea you could only buy name brand, enormous packages of diapers. I wasn’t about to buy 75 chemical laden diapers for my little girl. My hopes were that the rash would clear up much faster than the time it would take us to use all of those disposable diapers. I knew I had seen Seventh Generation diapers at the grocery store, so we left Target and stopped there on the way home to pick up a small package of more Earth and baby friendly disposables.

I kid you not, not 20 minutes into wearing her first disposable in 6 month, she had a poopy diaper that extended out the legs and up the back of the diaper. It was bedtime and my little girl was crabby. Now I had to not only change her diaper again (which, if you have an 8 month old, you know is next to impossible), but I had to wipe her down and change her pajamas. Not a pleasant experience! I cursed the stupid disposables and the stupid rash that was wreaking such havoc on our day.

I used a combination of the Seventh Generation disposables and the gDiaper flushable inserts for another two days as the rash started to slowly get better. That first blow out was not the only one we experienced, unfortunately. Since going to 100% cloth 6 months ago, we had not experienced one poopy blow out. I had four in less than three days in disposables. Yuck.

We are still unsure what exactly caused the rash, but I’m happy to say it cleared up over night (literally) and my freshly cleaned, stuffed, and folded fluff stash was ready and waiting. While using disposables, I longed to use my cloth diapers. Not only are they cute, but my goodness do they do a better job. My mother-in-law even commented on how terrible the disposables were and how much better she liked using our cloth diapers.

In hindsight, 3 days is a very short time period, but boy did it feel like an eternity. Ironically, in that time period, a good friend of my converted to using cloth diapers so I was able to put some of my energy towards helping her out and getting her started down an addictive road. But that’s another blog post for another day.

Bio: Michelle is a part time stay at home mom to her 8-month-old daughter. When she isn’t reading cloth diapering blogs or scouring the Internet for fluff deals, she can be found reading, running, or out and about with her husband and baby girl.

A Tale of Three Days in Disposables

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A Tropical Twist on Diaper Rash Cream!

Redness – Desitin, Bumps –Desitin, Open Sores – Desitin, Desitin – Desitin - Desitin… This is the chain of events that would occur when P got a diaper rash. P’s rashes usually occur when he is teething, but they can strike up for no reason at all, and take days to get rid of. We have been prescribed medicated diaper ointment and special spray’s to use when cleaning his bottom, all with little relief. Our method to the madness was to air dry and to keep his bottom clean and covered in smelly ointment (that is an oxymoron if I have ever heard one)!

P’s diaper rashes were one of the main reasons that I wanted to switch to cloth diapers and one of the only reason I was a little hesitant to make the switch. Before we made the switch to cloth diapers, I read a lot of information online saying that people that dealt with cloth diaper rashes ended up putting their little ones in disposables until the rash would clear up. I was flabbergasted by this information; if people were putting their children in disposables to get rid of the rash, I could only imagine the sores that would cover P’s little bottom from a cloth diaper rash!

Well with diaper rash comes diaper rash ointment… so the research continued. I was discouraged with my findings for cloth diaper ointment; most of the cloth diaper “safe” ointments still recommend that you put a liner in the diaper to protect the diaper from any leaking and repelling issues. I was determined to find something that was truly cloth diaper safe!

One day while researching newborn cloth diapers, I stumbled across some information, the article recommended that you use olive oil on your newborn’s bottom for the first week after birth to help prevent diaper rash, olive oil check (we cook with it so it is just a matter of getting it in the jar located in the nursery before babies arrival in December). The article went on to pay attribute to another type of cooking/baking oil, Coconut Oil. The article commended Coconut Oil for its quick healing ability and went on to say that it is completely cloth diaper safe. I was very intrigued so I researched further and ended up putting Coconut Oil on my shopping list, it couldn’t hurt to try.

After figuring out a diaper rash plan of attack (Coconut Oil), we ordered our cloth diapers, a sample size of CJ’s Butter Ointment and liners (as a backup plan). I then headed out to the store and purchased a jar of Coconut Oil, most local grocery stores carry it in either the cooking/baking oil section or in the pro-biotic section.

Our diapers arrived and P has been in them for 2 months, no redness, no bumps, no sores, no rashes, no Desitin…

We have been dreading the arrival of P’s final tooth! Well the other day that pesky eye tooth reared its ugly head! I picked P up from day-care and D said she thought he was teething because he had been drooling a lot (his shirt had been changed twice already and his current shirt was soaked) and he had started biting again (P’s bad bad teething habit). I asked if she noticed any rash starting (knowing that with a new tooth also comes a new rash) and she said that his bottom looked great all day! We got home and I quickly changed him, trying to stay on top of changes so a rash wouldn’t start. I changed him 3 times in a matter of 5 hours (yes a little OCD and a bit challenging when dealing with a not so patient 2 year old), after the first change his bottom looked good, the second change there was a little redness around his area (nothing to cause concern, a little air drying time was all that was needed) and by the third change, bedtime change, he was sobbing because his now bright red bottom hurt so bad! In slight panic I reached for the “emergency” drawer (packed with liners and the sample size container of CJ’s Butter ointment), but as my hand fell upon the drawer my eyes met the jar of Coconut Oil, I pushed the drawer back in its place and decided that we would test the Coconut Oil method for overnight protection. I was hopeful that it would at least contain the rash to just redness and that we wouldn’t have to bring out the 4 sole disposables that I have stashed in the bottom of the “emergency” drawer.

P was off to bed with a refreshing smell of Coconut lathered across his bottom. I set my alarm for 2am so that I could change him in an attempt to keep the rash at bay, but when I entered his room I was surprised to discover that he was soundly asleep (when he was in disposables and had a rash, he would wake up in the middle of the night screaming, demanding to be changed). I couldn’t bring myself to wake him up, so I went against my better initial judgment and went with my mommy instincts (yes there are times these contradict each other) and left P to sleep peacefully.

When I went to change him in the morning I asked if his bottom hurt and he said No! I didn’t fully believe him, thinking he was still half asleep, but as I laid him on the changing table and took off his diaper I was shocked to find that there was not a red spot anywhere! NOTHING! He had a beautiful peachy baby bottom that still smelt of coconut! P and I did a happy dance and we went about our day diaper rash free!

A few “good to knows” when purchasing Coconut Oil:
1. Coconut Oil comes as soft solid, instead of as a liquid; it melts right in your hand or your babies’ bottom, I just rub my finger across the top and it melts onto my finger so I can then rub it on my little ones bottom.
2. A little goes a long way!
3. Look for an organic, cold compressed, unrefined Brand of Coconut Oil; this will ensure that you are receiving all the benefits that Coconut Oil has to offer, (if you are using Coconut Oil with little luck, it probably isn’t cold compressed and is probably a refined version, try another brand).
4. Coconut Oil is antibacterial and antifungal!!!!
5. Best of all… Coconut oil is COMPLETELY cloth diaper safe; it comes right out of cloth diapers in the wash. No need for liners or a protective barrier!
Coconut Oil will be the only thing that I reach for when a rash occurs! I feel so relieved to know we have an actual fight against diaper rash and that it is something I feel confident won’t wreak havoc on my precious stash of fluff! Don’t worry the CJ’s butter will go to good use, fighting dry and cracked skin from the harsh MN winter!

Bio: My name is Amanda and I am a mother to two amazing little boys and am expecting a little girl in December! Cloth diapering mommy who is ecstatic to have found a better smelling, faster working, and healthier alternative for Diaper Rash treatment!

A Tropical Twist on Diaper Rash Cream!

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Rashes and Cloth Diapers

When I began cloth diapering I remember hearing that babies who are clothed diapered usually don’t experience as many diaper rashes as those who wear disposables. After reading this time and time again, I was disappointed when Brendan developed a diaper rash that I just couldn’t get rid of. Not having any luck with several diaper friendly rash creams, I had to resort to using disposables for a few days so that I could use cloth unfriendly, but rash inhibiting, Bourdeux Butt Paste without worrying about ruining my cloth diapers.

This all happened almost a year ago, so I wasn’t comfortable letting Brendan run around the house without a diaper at that point, so I alternated between using flat diapers without a diaper cover and disposable diapers at night while I treated his rash. However, it seemed every time the rash would go away and I would go back to my usual cloth routine, the rash would return! I tried everything I could think of – stripping the diapers, sunning them…you name it. In the end I switched detergents (from Charlie’s Soap, which I still use on clothing, to Rockin’ Green). Finally, after dealing with the rashes for a few months, they went away and stayed away.

Nowadays, the only time Brendan gets a rash is while he’s sick. Instead of reverting back to the disposables and zinc oxide rash creams, I discovered I am able to treat any rash with cloth diaper friendly Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Cream. This stuff works wonders and appears to work almost immediately when it comes to soothing the uncomfortable sting of a rash. In addition, I’ve noticed in most cases, by the time the next diaper change takes place the redness is gone and I have a happy little man again. I usually continue to use the Grandma El’s as a preventative measure until I am sure that Brendan is back to his normal, healthy self.

By Katrina

Rashes and Cloth Diapers

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Diaper Rash Solutions

If you are a cloth-diapering parent, you already know the first thing you can do to help minimize diaper rash—use cloth diapers! But, you also know that despite the fact that diaper rash is greatly decreased when you use cloth, it doesn’t mean you will never see it again. So, what to do when your baby gets that rash?

There are so many options.

1) Try a different diaper: Sometimes baby’s skin reacts poorly to a certain textile. If your baby has a rash, then try switching the kind of cloth diaper you’re using. Generally all-natural diapers made of cotton, hemp, bamboo, and wool will help to minimize rash.

2) Let it breathe: Make sure your baby’s bottom gets a little bit of air time at each diaper change. If you want your baby’s bottom to breathe while they’re wearing a diaper, then try an all natural cover such as wool rather than PUL.

3) Use Rash Cream: We all know that rash creams are a no-no when you cloth diaper. But there are ways to get around that
a. Put your baby in a disposable for a couple of diaper changes and use rash cream.
b. Put a liner in your diaper (a flannel cloth wipe will do) to guard the diaper from the oils that will harm it.
c. Use a cloth diaper friendly rash cream. Check your warrantee first, because some diaper warrantees are voided by the use of rash cream of any type.

4) Home remedies: I’ve heard mom’s recommend such things as baby powder, baking powder, zinc powder and oatmeal baths to help cure diaper rash without rash creams.

5) Wipe Solution: Check out the ingredients in your wipe solution. There are things you can add to it to assist in preventing rashes such as olive oil, tea tree oil, and other naturally occurring ingredients. Be careful with oils, though, as too much can cause a residue buildup on your diapers.

6) Detergent: If you haven’t already, you might want to switch to a natural detergent. The chemicals in regular detergents may be agitating your child’s rash—especially if the diapers have started to build up residue from the detergent.

7) Strip your diapers: If the detergent is the problem, you will need to strip your diapers in addition to switching detergents. There are many ways to strip cloth diapers but a good long soak in a natural detergent with lots and lots of subsequent rinses generally does the trick.

8) Yeast: Your baby may have a yeast infection in which case the yeast will reside in your diapers even after they’ve been washed. You will need to get the yeast out with methods such as washing them in extremely hot water and letting them bleach naturally in the sun.

9) Frequent Diaper Changes: The biggest cause of diaper rash is that the baby has sat in its own waste for too long. So, you should make sure you change their diaper frequently so they’re sitting in clean, dry cloth as much as possible.

10) Take advantage of your resources: Talk to another mom who cloth diapers. Check out blogs such as this one, or go on a public forum. The best and most creative cloth diaper advice I’ve heard comes from people like you who’ve discovered their own solutions through lots of trial and error.

by Becca G.

Diaper Rash Solutions

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Product Focus: Grandma El's

Finally, the end to diaper rash, for good!

The Company:
Founded in 2005, and owned by Jonathan & Melissa Posner, the proud parents of a 2 1/2year old daughter, Giavannah, Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention was formulated in early 1972 by Jonathan’s father, Robert Posner, a renowned skin care specialist and cosmetic chemist. It was initially formulated for Jonathans’ stubborn diaper rash in their Long Island home. When it was realized that the product worked so well, Grandma El (Eleanor Posner), found herself hand delivering this miracle to people who had heard of the product from their friends.

Jonathan followed in his mother’s footsteps and as the word of this miraculous product continued to spread, he hand delivered the miracle to friend’s and neighbors at all hours. He then formed the company using the name Grandma El’s and now helps prevent and heal diaper rash throughout the country. If your baby is in diapers, you Need Grandma El’s!

The Inventor:
The product, Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention, was formulated in 1972 by Robert M. Posner. At this time, Posner was one of the most well known formulators of wound healing products, lecturing across the country in hospitals and nursing homes including burn units at UCLA, Albert Einstein Medical Center in NY, and The Sam Houston Burn Center in Texas. Robert M. Posner is responsible for research and development for the Company. Posner, a 45 year veteran cosmetic chemist, is known for formulating some of the most effective skin care products available today.

What’s in it
Grandma El’s is manufactured by an FDA and cGMP compliant skin care product manufacturer in New York, USA. Grandma El’s contains no preservatives and only contains ingredients on the FDA GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) List so you can be assured your baby is getting the safest therapy.

• Natural Vitamin E - an anti-oxidant, derived from Wheat Germ Oil.
• Balsam of Peru natural derivatives - a plant of Peru, known as a healing agent.
• Salicylic Acid - Promotes new skin growth. Derived from Willow Bark.
• Yellow Petrolatum - A moisture barrier. Derived from natural mineral oil.
• Anhydrous Lanolin - Insecticide-Free, Allergy-Free. Protects and heals.
  

Why Grandma El’s
Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention is absolutely the most effective diaper changing ointment available today. Used with every diaper change, Grandma El’s will keep your baby free of diaper rash as it prevents, protects, and heals. Grandma El’s is pediatrician recommended & hypo-allergenic, and safe for babies with even the most sensitive skin.

Grandma El’s has put an end to the white, messy paste, lotions, and creams. The patented formula creates a breathable barrier which lets your baby’s skin breathe as it protects from moisture, making it the fastest, most effective product available. Grandma El’s begins working immediately on contact to sooth and heal your baby’s sensitive bottom. Over 76% or our parents are brand loyal to Grandma El’s.

Grandma El’s is the only product tested and approved by Happy Heinys to work with cloth diapers.

If your baby is in diapers, you need Grandma El’s.

Product Focus: Grandma El's

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RASHES Happen!

High fevers and listlessness aside, there’s little else that raises our mommy alarms than a rash! Rashes come in all shapes and shades, even textures… some are quite frightening but typically harmless. Generally, rashes are usually a sign or symptom of a problem; this is especially true for diaper rashes.

First and foremost we always recommend consulting with your pediatrician, they are far more experienced and qualified to determine whether the rash requires any medical treatment or if it’s nothing to fret about.

Now, the good news for those who cloth diapers, rashes are a less common occurrence. Studies have shown approximately 5% of cloth diapered babies experience diaper rash issues as opposed to 50%+ amongst the disposable diapered babies.

Why such a drastic difference between the two?
Disposable diapers are made from plastics, not paper like many people mistakenly believe (even chlorine-free diapers are also made from plastic polymers). Plastic does not allow the skin to breathe properly and causes heat retention which can ultimately leads to rashes.

Additionally, some babies are very sensitive to the chemicals found in disposable diapers and are unable to wear them at all without developing severe blistering rashes. This is referred to as allergic contact dermatitis.

However, diaper rashes aren’t exclusive to the disposable diapering bunch. Rashes that occur with cloth diaper usage are typically either the result of prolonged wetness, sensitivity or reaction to detergent and/or bacterial residues on the diaper, or more rarely an allergic reaction to material/fabric itself.

Prolonged Wetness
Frequent diaper changes will generally resolve rash issues caused by prolonged wetness. It also helps to ensure baby is dry before putting another clean diaper on. Allow your children a few moments between changes to “air out.”

Some babies develop yeast rashes/infections due to continuous exposure to moisture/wetness, especially in their little nooks and crannies since yeast thrives in warm and moist areas. Therefore, it’s especially important to change baby regularly and ensure they are dry.

It’s important to note when battling a yeast rash/infection – the diapers do require disinfection. Otherwise, bacteria from the rash linger in the diapers and can ultimately re-infect your little one making the rash last for weeks and sometimes months on end!

Ways to disinfect your diapers
These are also helpful if you suspect a rash due to a buildup of bacteria as well…

Hot Water
Make sure you’re using hot water to wash your diapers (after your initial cold rinses of course). Hot water does help in killing a good majority of bacteria.

Vinegar
Depending on what type of diapers you’re using – you may consider using between ¼ - ½ cup vinegar in the main wash. The vinegar is acidic and works to kill most, if not all the bacteria.

Sunshine!
Be one with the SUN! Sunning is an excellent way to rid your diapers of bacteria naturally. It also helps whiten, brighten and remove pesky stains from your diapers.

Skin Reactions
Adverse skin reactions are trickier to figure out since there are so many!

If there is detergent buildup on your diapers then it is likely a child will experience a reaction due to the buildup while other children may truly have a sensitivity to the particular detergent. I suggest washing the diapers several times in hot water with no detergents or additives to ensure the diapers are free from detergent residues and see if that doesn’t resolve the issue. If a true allergy to the detergent is suspected then it is recommended to discontinue use of the product.

There are other skin reactions such as eczema, psoriasis, or just plain friction which results in rashes. Although rare, some children develop a sensitivity or allergy to synthetic fabrics and well. Therefore, it’s really important to consulting with your pediatrician or family doctor as they have years of experience and seen the gamut of rashes to provide a proper diagnosis.

Diaper Creams, Medicated Ointments and Powders
If you thought your cloth diaper options were numerous – try checking out the number of diaper creams and ointments on the market! A large majority of diaper creams and ointments aren’t cloth diaper friendly. There are a few that are, and my personal favorite is Northern Essence Better Butt(er). One of you wonderful mamas asked me about it a couple weeks ago so I decided to order some and test it myself… this stuff is wonderful! It has a lovely whipped texture and goes on very easy! I noticed a comparable improvement in my son’s yeast rash overnight (on par with the prescription cream from the doctor).

Additionally, it has done wonders to soothe my poor hands which are affected terribly by eczema! My little guy scraped his chin raw the other day, I decided to rub some Northern Essence Better Butt(er) on it and the next day there was a noticeable improvement! I need to buy a vat of this stuff!

Even with the use of cloth diaper friendly creams or salves, I like to recommend the use of a protective barrier/liner just to be cautious. Disposable liners such as the Bummis Bio-Soft liners or washable/reusable liners such as Hemp Babies Raw Silk liners are wonderful products that I recommend. On a budget? Make your own liners by cutting up an old t-shirt or some very thin fleece.

I do not recommend the use of baby powder or corn starch. This is unnecessary and has been known to cause more problems than any possible good. Studies have shown babies do inhale the powder which can lead to respiratory problems. Additionally, baby powder is believed to be associated with the increase in Urinary Tract infections (UTI’s) and promotes yeast rashes (especially when using corn starch based baby powders).

NOTE: If you’re using medicated creams or ointments that aren’t cloth diaper friendly it’s important that you wash all wipes and liners separately from your diapers, otherwise the creams/ointment can be deposited onto the diapers during the wash cycle and cause repellency issues.


- By Serena

RASHES Happen!

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Product Focus: Northern Essence

We offer natural handcrafted soaps, lotions, baby products, healing salves and so much more! Come try our famous Diaper Rash Salves, Creams and Wipes Solutions, they were formulated to be safe to use with all Cloth Diapers! We carry specialty products for the nursing mother and allergy sensitive babies & children. Come and see our full line of Wool care products, including many other products for you cloth diapered babies needs. We are always working on new and exciting products for the entire family!

Some of our products:
Northern Essence Whipped Baby Lotion - Baby Bliss
Northern Essence exclusive...you will love this rich and creamy lotion! Try our Exclusive Baby Bliss Scent that everyone raves about(a baby powder scent with just a touch of sweetness!). Perfect for a quick baby massage, absorbs fast! Use it for your little one, give it as a gift or even use it for yourself (I do!) Made with wonderful ingredients such as: Shea Butter, Grapeseed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil. All wholesome goodness, whipped to perfection...for your perfect little one!

Northern Essence Soothing Buttermilk Baby Bath
We've teamed up Buttermilk and added some soothing ingredients for a wonderful baby milk bath! A WINNING COMBINATION TO SOOTHE, RELAX AND COMFORT your lil' angel! Just perfect for baby's precious skin. So gentle and pure, unlike store bought detergent-based "baby baths". Only the BEST for YOUR LITTLE ONE. Great for the whole family!!

Northern Essence Diaper Rash Salve
Our Diaper Rash Salve has always been one of our top sellers. Our Diaper Salve contains only ALL NATURAL ingredients such as Healing Calendula Infused Oil, Therapeutic Emu oil and natural un~refined Shea & Cocoa Butters! Contains NO lanolin or petroleum. Carry one in your diaper bag and have one near your diaper changing station!! Safe to use on Cloth Diapers!

Northern Essence Diaper Dust
Finally, a diaper powder that you can put on a baby's bottom and not feel guilty about it! Our diaper dust is talc-free and will not cause yeast infections. Great for heavy wetters, especially for use during naps and bedtime! Also works well for providing protection from diaper rash.

Northern Essence Better Butt(er) Cream
Finally a cream that you can use when your baby has a yeast infection and it WILL NOT irritate it! Safe to use on cloth diapers. Contains no Essential Oils, only conditioning oils and butters including: Hemp Butter, Shea Butter, Meadowfoam Seed Oil and many more. It also contains GSE (grapefuit seed extract) in it, we triple whip it to give it a fluffy appearance and super smooth texture.

Northern Essence Tea Tree Oil/Lavender Free Wipes Solution
This is natural wipes solution but without the Tea Tree & Lavender Essential Oils. Made with the same gentle ingredients...including a very mild glycerin soap, THERAPEUTIC calendula, and gentle Apricot Kernel Oil, plus we have added other beneficial essential oils for a baby's skin! Use it to gently clean and wash baby's bottom, can also be used for the entire family! We keep ours in a wipes warmer, ready to use for diaper time or quick clean-ups for hands and face. Has a clean fresh citrus scent.

Northern Essence Pure Liquid Lanolin
100% pure top grade liquid lanolin. Free of solvents, fillers, excipients, preservatives, chemical additives and colors.

About the owner:
We are located in a rural town in Northern Georgia. We have 5 children that range in age from 20 down to 4. My husband has been a Police Officer for over 22 years and I am also a former Police Officer that decided to take a large career change to stay home with our children and become a WAHM! Our middle son has suffered from sever eczema since he was a baby. After many oral medications and medical creams, we came upon Northern Essence products. We began using them and soon fell in love! In 2004, Northern Essence was for sale and I has recently left my Police career. I decided to purchase the business and have been enjoying it ever since. We have expanded into many different products that cater to the natural mom/family. We are looking forward to many more years to come.

Product Focus: Northern Essence

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