So, barely a week into using cloth diapers most of the time (except for night-time or going away), we're back to using disposables until Susannah's nasty diaper rash goes away. I've been looking at "how to kill yeast in diapers" searches this afternoon, and everybody has their own way. Which one to pick, which one to pick??!! Arrrrg. I don't know that what she has is yeast, but she's had more and worse diaper rash since I started cloth than she's had in the entire 51 previous weeks of her life.
I've been changing her more often. I've always wiped her clean regardless of wet or wet & poopy. I've been using Desitin very liberally and with verrrry slow results. I started using Coconut Oil, too. I'm not sure if that's making a difference or not but I figure it can't hurt. By the way, is it just me that get's aggravated at who.ev.er designed the Desitin can so you have to stick your WHOLE HAND in it to use the bottom half of the cream?!?!?!
This morning at Kroger I stood in an embarrassing section of the store - which is directly in line with the cashiers! - trying to figure out which box of Monistat-like product would get me just a TUBE of the grease. I think every single box has all sorts of things I don't need with it. Arrg. And price ranges from $6 to $26. I suspect that Susannah has a yeast infection instead of just diaper rash, and a friend recommended Monistat. I put some on her before her afternoon nap, we'll see if there's any improvement here in a bit when she gets up.
I had no earthly idea what a big can of worms switching to cloth would be. I'm trying to decide if I want to stick it out or just avoid all the headache and go back to disposables. Regardless, I need to de-yeast the diapers. What does that mean? From the best I can figure out, I need to use HOT, HOT, HOT water and some sort of oxygenating bleach. Or I could use Tea Tree Oil. Or Grapefruit Seed Extract Oil. Or Motor Oil*. Or rub them with organic compost*. Or send them into outer space and do a handstand while facing the equator with one eye closed and both shoes untied while I wait for the diapers to re-enter and come back to Earth*. And then hang them in the sun to dry (which I'm already doing).
*Ok, yes, I'm exaggerating, but there's a billion different theories. I just want to kill the dad-blamed stuff!
*Don't do these things. I was joking.
So yeah. Here I thought I was going to be adding a cutesy little "super-domestic-mom-who-CDs" button to my hat and all it's done is add headache. On top of that, I thought surely this week was going to go great. I mean, Daniel and I had a mini-getaway for our anniversary (that never got blogged about... sigh) with lots of R&R, and I was rearing to go Monday morning. I think Monday went great, Tuesday went good... and Wednesday, well, I'm about to go bury my head in the sand again.
And on that note, I need to get off and go empty the slop that is stinking up the place.
Oh, and not to mention that Susannah's first birthday is tomorrow and I have done ZERO to prepare for it. I want to do something fun tomorrow for her!
6 comments:
You know what, things will get better. I never had those problems with CD's. Did you get them used? I used used ones, but they were all from Mom and Gail, no other sources. Also, do not be afraid to call your pediatrician and ask the nurse how to tell if it's just diaper rash or a yeast infection if you need to. I wonder if that rash is what is making Susannah a crab recently for you. I sure would be miserable with a rash like that.
Also, as far as her 1st birthday, well, she won't remember it. So just some stuff to take nice pictures of and help her enjoy it will be fine. Also, if she's having a fussy day and can't enjoy anything, it will be fine to wait a few days until she's feeling better to have a little party. She won't mind! And, you will have a chance to clear that rash, catch your breath, and at least make a cake that you can put a cute candle on.
I'm sorry you are going through all this. It's got to be very rough! (And hard on Susannah to suffer.)
@Sally *bangs head on wall* Why am I so slow to think of things sometimes? Like, maybe she's so crabby b/c her behind is so sore? You're probably right! The rash did seem to be improved after the 1st and 2nd applications of cream - not nearly as bright red or as large of an area - I'm eager to see what improvement happened overnight.
I did get the diapers used, I probably should've de-yeasted before I even put the first one on her but I didn't think about it.
Thanks for the encouragement. Here's hoping today goes much better :)
Oh, no! That is definitely not a fun way to get an intro to cloth diapering! :-( I haven't had to deal with yeast at all (crosses fingers), so I have no words of wisdom there. But if it turns out NOT to be a yeast infection, I'd recommend trying a different detergent. Baby D had some skin issues in the beginning before I found a detergent that didn't irritate him. His skin just doesn't tolerate brighteners and fragrance very well. :-( I'd also watch out with using Desitin on the cloth diapers without a liner of some sort (I cut up strips of fleece)- from what I've heard, Desitin tends to build up on cloth diapers and leave a weird odor. If it's building up, it could be perpetrating a rash effect.
I know, MORE advice was just what you needed, right? *hugs* You'll pull through! In the end, you're not any less of a domestic mom for using disposables, so don't feel bad!
Oh, and happy anniversary!
@Maria D. @ DownrightDomesticity Thanks for the tips! Daniel's mom gave me some Balmex to try - she said Desitin never worked for her. Was Baby D's skin issues "all over" or just on his bottom? I've only ever used Dreft for Susannah's laundry and she's never seemed to have any problems before. If nothing else works I might have to try another detergent.
Just wanted to let you know that all of my seven children have very sensitive skin and would get very bad yeast rashes often. the only thing that kills the yeast is a medication in some atheletes foot meds. The active ingrediant is Clotrimazole 1%. My Dr. recomended this treatment and it works great! just put a little on at each diaper change. hope this helps.
April had a terrible time with yeast infections if I'd use certain brands of diapers. The pharmacist told me to pour a little Milk of Magnesia over her bottom (don't pat dry, just let absorb into her skin and the diaper) because it will neutralize the acids that contribute to the yeast infection. After I started doing that with each diaper change we never had a problem again.
Post a Comment