Yeast & Prefolds

BethanyAnn27

I know this has been discussed time and time again, but even after reading every thread I could find on yeast infections for the past hour, I still have some questions!

Back story: DD has had a rash for 2 days that we were treating with our normal diaper rash cream and coconut oil and today we took her to her two month well baby exam. The pediatrician said that the rash looks like yeast and prescribed a nystatin cream. She specifically prescribed a cream, not the ointment, because she knows we CD and said that the cream version was CD safe. We use prefolds and covers exclusively.  

My typical wash routine is as follows every other day: warm wash cycle with no detergent to rinse (can't select a separate rinse cycle on our coin operated laundry, so we need to pay for a full wash as a rinse), hot wash with 2-3 T. of Tide powdered detergent, warm to hot dry cycle. 

So now my questions: 

Is it necessary to do bleach washes to destroy the yeast (probably a silly question but they don't like us using bleach in these washers but I will if it will help prevent this from recurring)? If it is, is 1/8- 1/4 c. the usual amount per load? Do I need to add an extra rinse (if I do, it means a whole additional wash cycle on the machines we currently have access to, so I would like to avoid this if possible). 

I actually don't own any bleach, so since today was diaper day, I have modified the wash routine to Hot Rinse/Hot Wash/Extra-Hot dry cycle since I have read that the heat can effectively kill the yeast spores. Is that just some internet nonsense or is that an ok place to start? (Again, I am happy to get bleach but I figured I would check with the experts here before going crazy!). 

Also, would you ladies recommend using a liner of some sort until the rash clears even though the doctor said the cream was CD safe? I do have disposable liners and some back-up wipes that are fleece that I could use. 

Any other tips you can give on dealing with yeast and CDing is greatly appreciated. This is our first battle with it, and I would like to be better prepared if it comes up in the future. TIA!

BethanyAnn27

One additional thing, I just checked my washers (there are two to choose from) and neither one has a bleach dispenser. Would I have to wait until half way through the wash and add it then? Or dilute it first and add at the beginning of the cycle? (I feel like such a newbie.)

Rrrrrachel

I have read (from real diaper association) that yeast washes right out of prefolds. That was a problem when they were doing their yeast experiments. They started with prefolds, colonized them with yeast, and he control kept coming out of the wash with zero colonies.

But if it was me I would add ¼ c bleach to the wash.

Rrrrrachel

½ c if you are using a non he machine I guess. And yes really you should let the machine fill up, add bleach, briefly agitate, then add diapers. But whoa.

BethanyAnn27

Rrrrrachel said:

½ c if you are using a non he machine I guess. And yes really you should let the machine fill up, add bleach, briefly agitate, then add diapers. But whoa.

Woah is right! That makes sense, but I would need to camp out in the laundry room to ever manage that. Thanks for all your tips, I feel much better!

bumpuser5078523

I didn't use liners when we needed the cream last time and I didn't have any issues with prefolds or his newborn THX AIOs, which are microfleece.

I bleach every load if we have yeast, but not everyone does. I think you can also use tea tree oil and grape seed extract, I'm not sure how much of what, though.