On the verge of tears...

betheveh · April 2012

...and maybe quitting. I hate sounding dramatic but after only 6 weeks of CDing my child has a rash that gets worse and worse the more I try to fix it. His whole diaper area was red after wearing cloth for a couple of hours.

I just stripped all my diapers due to a rash and ammonia smell. I've used RLR. Rocked a soak overnight and just did a Funk Rock soak. I rinsed 3 times post.

My guy has apparently very sensitive skin. We have well water that is moderate hard. I use Hard Rock RnG. Not sure what to do from here??

Any suggestions?

Megan.10.06 · April 2012

What kind of diapers are you using? What kind of soap? Are you checking the rinse cycle for actual suds?

chuicafina · April 2012

I'm sorry it's not going well Sad

Sounds like you've only used RnG? I had major stink issues with RnG that I could not get rid of, despite them being very helpful and trying to resolve my issues. Maybe you should try something else...and if you're LO is sensitive, I'd also stay away from Charlie's soap. My DS was sensitive to both RnG and Charlies.

We now use Dropps, and occasionally Tide (surprisingly enough) with no rash issues, even though he had super sensitive skin when he was younger.

I think I've also seen people here recommend Crunchy Clean for sensitive skin and hard water.

Also, it's okay to take a break from cloth to take a breath, let your LOs bottom recover and try to fix the problem. We had a lot of rash issues at the beginning (not just in his diaper area), and they've all resolved now. GL and I hope you can find something that doesn't make him rash!

cassoppea · April 2012

After 6 weeks your diapera shouldn't smell like ammonia (ok they never should but this is a very short time). What's your wash routine like? When do the diapers smell like ammonia? What does the rash look like? I agree that you may need to change your detergent. RnG never worked for us either. I recently thought my LO was allergic to my detergent. Then I realized she was getting ammonia burns! I stripped my diapers with dawn, bleached all the inserts and now I use a little more detergent to wash. It's been better! Perhaps you have ammonia buildup? Its ok to take a break and use sposies until you figure out the problem. But if you want to CD don't give up yet! Hopefully we can troubleshoot for you and figure out some answers.

nahokulele · April 2012

I hear ya. We've been battling rash on DD's bottom for weeks. Pedi tells me there's nothing I can really do about it, it's just the way DD's skin is. My CDs sat in a corner for weeks while I used disposables until I figured out what the problem was, but there is no answer for us, DD just has delicate skin. I'm having to use non CD safe cream but have added microfleece liners. So far, so good, but it's only been a day of that. The microfleece should help to keep her bottom more dry, which I'm hoping will help her skin.

Are you sure it's detergent causing the rash? Is LO still rashy if you try disposables for a while?

Are you using a cream, if so, which one?

I feel your frustration. I feel like I've been banging my head against the wall these past few days myself.

pixy_stix · April 2012

When all else fails, change your detergent. I would bet money its the RnG doing it. We also use Dropps because of sensitive skin.

Vermillionsss · April 2012

Take a break from CDs, then give it a try after you've switched detergents. Sorry, mama.

Strider003 · April 2012

I was getting stink issues with RnG after only a few weeks, also. I switched to bumGenius and no stinkies.

Sorry I'm not more help beyond that.

BrendaLou1969 · April 2012

Ive read about quite a few people who have problems with RNG (regular and hard rock formula) with well water. Try adding 1/4-1/3 cup of calgon water softener to the wash load. If it was me, I'd change detergents to Dropps or Tiny Bubbles. Both are supposed to work excellent in super hard water. Tiny Bubbles is available online at Costco.com in a bulk pack of 6 boxes. Its sixty bucks and I get 60 loads out of each box. Its a very good deal. Dropps you can pick up at any Target store. When you switch out detergents, it may be a good idea to run your diapers with RLR to remove the buildup.

ournaturaljourney · April 2012

I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time with diaper rashes. I have been there myself. One of the main reasons I chose cloth was because it was supposed to result in less rashes, but we battled diaper rashes on and off for about a year before I figured out that the hemp in the diapers I was using was bothering him. I switched to microfiber inserts and we didn't have rashes again. Now my son's out of diapers and he still gets rashes on his bottom. He just has sensitive skin.

My advice to you is to take a break from cloth, heal your baby's bottom and then decide on a next step. If you decide to give cloth a try again, you could try switching detergents, stripping your dipes, or switching diapers.

What worked for us for healing diaper rashes was daily baths with baking soda and applying Earth Mama Angel Baby bottom balm at every diaper change. You could also try using coconut oil.

GL! I know how hard it is dealing with diaper rash. No one likes to see their little one in pain or discomfort and it is very frustrating when you can't figure out the cause. Hang in there, momma! It will get better.

susangilchrist · April 2012

What type of diapers are you using? DD#1 had a suedecloth allergy (to BG4.0s) that caused a HIDEOUS rash everywhere the diaper touched. Could it be that? What is your normal wash cycle? We do a long soak in hot water, a hot wash/cold rinse with 2Tbs of Tide, and an additional rinse. You've GOT to make sure the water gets hot enough, and you've GOT to make sure to do an additional rinse.

betheveh · April 2012

Thanks ladies for the encouragement - I really needed it.

I use almost exclusively natural fibers against his skin. Yesterday it was the Bottoombumpers he was in. And yes the rash gets better in sposies

I have used Calhoun with the RnG as well but it isn't cutting it. I will try a new detergent Sounds like Dropps or Tiny Bubbles.

Oh and I was using Burt's Bees with a liner but it still was getting more red.

I really don't want to quit at all!!

OH and my wash routine is: Cold rinse (no detergent) with no spin to trick FL into adding more water, Hot wash with RnG (1-2 TBS), 2 rinses...and this week I added in an extra warm rinse separately.

Thanks

Abbe2b3 · April 2012

It was mentioned above but add a fleece liner between his bum and the natural fiber. He may not do well with wet touching him. You can make these yourself with fleece from Joanne's. If you want to stay all natural fiber you can get wool liners from Green MountainnDiapers, they work the same way and you don't lanolize them so the will wick wet away.

Huahine · April 2012

I see you have a Front Loader. Bloody things are not CD friendly. I was getting an ammonia smell off of my diapers, until I started tricking my FL into adding more water by including a soaking wet towel in each load. Using more water in the pre-rinse cycle has taken care of our issue.

I hope your LO's bum heals soon!

bugandbibs · April 2012

betheveh:
Thanks ladies for the encouragement - I really needed it.
I use almost exclusively natural fibers against his skin. Yesterday it was the Bottoombumpers he was in. And yes the rash gets better in sposies
I have used Calhoun with the RnG as well but it isn't cutting it. I will try a new detergent Sounds like Dropps or Tiny Bubbles.
Oh and I was using Burt's Bees with a liner but it still was getting more red.
I really don't want to quit at all!!
OH and my wash routine is: Cold rinse (no detergent) with no spin to trick FL into adding more water, Hot wash with RnG (1-2 TBS), 2 rinses...and this week I added in an extra warm rinse separately.
Thanks

I had better luck using the quick wash feature on cold (no detergent) than a rinse/no spin. The extra aggitation helps get my diapers cleaner. Then I do a heavy duty wash on hot (with detergent) using the heavy soil and extra rinse options.

I use and love Tiny Bubbles (I got the case from costco).

Burt's Bees has a lot of extra stuff in it that could be making the rash worse. We use the grov-ia magic stick as a wetness barrier and it works well for us. DD1 was allergic to a lot of Burt's Bees products, but we haven't tried the bum cream.

Also, make sure your LO's bum is totally dry before putting the diaper on. This can increase rash in CDs.

Good luck, and keep coming back here to trouble shoot.

Megan.10.06 · April 2012

If hes not improving with a liner, and it is getting better in sposies, I would bet you $20 it's detergent. Liners would bar any problem from the diaper - but not from detergent.

faith194 · April 2012

Here is another option, maybe you addressed it(I am super tired). . .But have you tried sposies and has it cleared up immediately? If so, then you have a cd problem. If you haven't tried sposies, I would. If it doesn't clear up, you don't have a cd problem. . .

When DS was 5 weeks old, he had an awful rash. No matter what we did(sposies, cds--we used GMD prefold when he was young), it wouldn't go away. Pedi even had him on an antibiotic cream. . .Blowdrying/airdrying, nothing worked. Turns out he was MSPI(milk/soy protein intolerant). Once we figured that out, he only has a rash on occasion.

So, my advice before giving up, try a sposie. See if it really is the cd or not. If it is, then try a new detergent! Good luck!

sosoph · April 2012

betheveh:
Thanks ladies for the encouragement - I really needed it.
I use almost exclusively natural fibers against his skin. Yesterday it was the Bottoombumpers he was in. And yes the rash gets better in sposies
I have used Calhoun with the RnG as well but it isn't cutting it. I will try a new detergent Sounds like Dropps or Tiny Bubbles.
Oh and I was using Burt's Bees with a liner but it still was getting more red.
I really don't want to quit at all!!
OH and my wash routine is: Cold rinse (no detergent) with no spin to trick FL into adding more water, Hot wash with RnG (1-2 TBS), 2 rinses...and this week I added in an extra warm rinse separately.
Thanks

I don't think your diapers are getting clean. When you get your new detergent, do a hot overnight soak to release the build-up, then a hot wash and rinse. Since you have hard water, you actually need to use more detergent to get diapers clean (see the FAQ on this). Repeat if you think you have a lot of build-up. Stripping is for detergent build-up, not for dirty diapers, so that isn't necessary.

betheveh · April 2012

Wow thank you ladies for all the great suggestions. I am going to try the Dropps if I can find it at Target. Just 1 pack?

mamatoc&j · April 2012

Is the Rockin Green scented? DD2 doesn't have sensitive skin, but got a rash when I decided to try some scented RG. She is fine with the unscented.

DD1 had super sensitive skin, so I know how you feel

ToastieSimons · April 2012

my FL goes back and forth with getting my diapers clean. But a couple of rinses is NEVER satisfactory for my washer.

I usually do a heavy wash no detergent (on warm today after reading the post earlier from bummis) and I add a ton of water through the detergent dispenser (I have a mess sink with a sprayer right next to the washer). I then do a heavy wash on hot with the detergent (again adding more water). I do another heavy wash on hot with no detergent (with extra water).

I have extremely hard/rusty/irony water and a water softener. Part of my wash issues are a water quality. When the water softener runs it funks everything up and then when theres been a lull the water gets hard again.

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