Prefold cutting off circulation

bumpuser9353653

Had anyone else experienced this? I'm using infant sized prefolds on DD2 (4 days old - 8.5 lbs with skinny legs).

I was carrying her around and when I laid her down to change her and took off her pants and socks, I noticed her little legs were all purple :-(

I thought maybe the snappi was too tight, so I left it looser after the change and used a different cover. Her legs looked ok, but then after just a couple min of holding her again, her legs were purple again.

Seems to only be when her legs are bent up -like the pressure at her hips is causing it.

Are the prefolds just too bulky for her? Any suggestions? I'm paranoid every time I pick her up now that she's going to have her circulation cut off :-S

violajack

We never had a problem like that, and I would put our bg xs on really tight to prevent leaks at the legs. We never had an issue with prefolds either, but those didn't go on as tight. Have you tried a different type of diaper to see if it still happens? 

freezorburn

What fold are you using? Can you post a picture?

bumpuser9353653

My folding definitely needs work. I try to do an angel wing fold but the wings don't seem to reach around her hips very well. And the legs don't seem to have a good seal. Is that normal?

Didn't have the issue using the Indian cotton prefold, but the white ones seem to be a little more stiff. They just seem really big, but this is the first time I've used prefolds, so I'm clueless.

Rrrrrachel

Sometimes that just happens with newborns. Happened with both of mine. Not necessarily related to the diaper.

CLLDLL

I agree with Rrrrrachel. NBs just have poor circulation and sometimes little things exacerbate it. I'd just keep and eye on it and change positions often.

Your fold looks good to me. To get the legs a bit snuger pull both the front and the "wings" up towards head head before you snappi. I always get it on and snappied, then unhook one side and tighten everything up, 're-snappi, then undo the other side, tighten up, re-snappi.

bumpuser9353653

Thanks ladies. I totally felt like it was a mom-fail moment, so happy to hear it might just be a normal newborn thing.

bumpuser9353653

Chickypoo2468 said:

Could her legs be cold? They get that mottled look.

They do get cold quickly, but the first time was definitely circulation. I let her air out for a few min and the color returned to her legs.

unaveragejane

We used disposables for the most part with DS until he fit OS CDs, and he would get the purple leg thing, too. It drove me nuts b/c my mom and DH's family were always fretting over it, and I had no idea what (if anything) I was doing wrong while they had plenty of theories. (Their theories: I was putting the diaper on too tight. I had held him too long. I shouldn't have been wearing him. He needed to spend some time sleeping face-down. He was too cold. He had a heart problem.) Man, I was such a basket case after they got done! Anyway, I think a lot of DS's leg thing was partly circulation, partly cold, and partly just that he has ghostly white skin like me, so any change in circulation was quite noticeable.

freezorburn

Lots of great posts. I think your fold looks fine, you might get a snugger fit using CLLDLL's instructions. Another good fold to try when you have extra rise is bikini twist. DS had crappy circulation too, during those early days. Do you know about baby massage? I think I have a link somewhere. Will check when I can get in front of a full keyboard.

bumpuser9353653

Thanks for all the great advice :-) You have all eased my mind!

Alex hates getting her diaper changed (or being any kind of cold, for that matter) so I try to go with whatever fold is quickest. Sometimes I wish I had bought more NB workhorses or pockets just for ease of use, but oh well.

@freezorburn‌ - I've definitely heard of baby massage, but can't say I've really tried it. I'm sure I can Google it if you don't have a link handy :-)

TJ1979

@unaveragejane‌ Eek, I'd have Ben a mess too, what is wrong with people?

@RugbyMamma‌ there's still time to buy more diapers!

freezorburn

Found my playlist! Here it is.

I read a book, and watched a ton of videos because the only infant massage class in my area wasn't going to work out for me. These are the vids that helped me the most.

poohbear033

DD is almost 5 months and her legs get like that too when someone is holding her funny, (my dad and MIL). The first time it happened I freaked out. I did think it was the diaper but it happened several times. We just had to adjust her position and it went away.

Mwyld

I actually just asked my pediatrician about this because my LOs feet and legs were getting super purple and I was really concerned. Like PPs said, it's totally normal and it doesn't mean she's cold, it'll stop soon