my one week old has diaper rash, or says the doctor....?

Question

I was changing her diaper and in noticed in the folds of her skin where her leg meets the pelvis, her skin looks irritated and raw, and I asked her pediatrician what it was because it didnt look like diaper rash to me, but more like when you scratch yoruself so bad some skin comes off, and thats what it looked like, btu she said because its so moist and the skin isnt breathing that it was dish pan hands but for the genital area, i go to a naval hospital and although she has her degrees and has been doing it for 15 years, i still have my doubts or maybe its because im a new mom, and dont want my baby to be in such pain or what looks like it, has anyone ever had a diaper rash like what i described for their kids? i used desitin cream, and i have stopped useing the wipes and use a wash cloth with warm water, and let the area dry out, but it breaks my heart to see my baby cry like that

it cant be a yeast infection because its not in her labia its not around there at all its on her upper thigh, but where it meets her pelvic area, she just has so much fat folds that its inside there when i pull back

I use pampers swaddlers and i dont make them to tight, or to loose, and i was always told that the powder wasnt a good idea, but letting them dry for a while, what should i wash her with when i give her her bath/shower

Answer 1

Newborns pee and poop constantly, so they need to be changed constantly. For the first 6 to 8 weeks, you can assume about 10 to 12 diapers a day. It will slow down once the baby regulates her appetite and elimination. You're probably changing her often enough, so forget that.

I think your baby is too young to have a fungal infection. There are all kinds of yeast infections, not just the vaginal kind. Athlete's foot, jock itch and thrush are all related. Babies are vulnerable too them, but it would take more than a week to show up in the way you describe.

I think you've done the right thing by stopping the wipes. I think you should stop the cream too. The oils in diaper creams can actually make rashes worse.

What you have to remember is that damp is your enemy! Newborn babies hate to be naked, so it is hard to give them "air time" to dry. What you can do is use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to dry her after each change, especially between the thighs and the crease where the diaper bunches.

You can also try adding a few drops of vinegar to the warm water you use to wash her. Just a few drops to the wash bowl. It will help discourage any fungal growth.

Your baby might have a sensitivity to the gel used in the diapers. If it continues, you might think about changing to gel free disposibles or even cloth diapers with hemp inserts.

Good luck and enjoy your baby girl.

By the way, I write http://www.babylune.com for women recovering from childbirth. You should check out the site for information about how to get your own health back after pregnancy and birth.

Answer 2

I would try and let your daughter have as much time as possible out of her nappy. Pampers do disposable changing mats that you could lay her on that, they are soft and if she does go to the toilet its easy to clean up. Use sudocream, its the best. I know people who only use creams on there babies once they have nappy rash, don't, use it every time you change her, it doesn't hurt. Sometimes newborns get sweaty in the cracks and creases and we can't always make it as dry as we would like it to be. Sudocream soaks into the skin and creates a protective layer against wetness. My daughter never had a red mark or any nappy rash.
Hope this helps. Goodluckxx

Answer 3

I hate that too. are the diapers cloth? Could be degerent. If it is in the folds.. it could be moisture build up. I personally would go to the pharmacy and get 'four by fours'. They are breathable mesh gauze that are four inches by four inces. And they will stop moisture build up. We used them in the old folks home under womens breasts and the heavier people skin folds where they would get terrible rashes and apply creams as well.

Answer 4

Use lots of Talcum Powder. Avoid Desitin.
Also, keep the baby naked for a while...no diapers. Let the skin dry.
Another thing I enforced is no use of baby wipes -- rinse with warm water and pat dry. Then talcum powder (J&J baby powder).

Answer 5

Yes, that's what it sounds like . I know it breaks your heart but it will get better. If your pharmacy has some diaper rash ointment called Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Get it! I know it's a funny name but it is so awesome. It used to make my son's rash go away by the next day and it isn't stinky like desitin.

Answer 6

it is said that powder's are not good for the baby, but that is specifically because of the chance of the powder getting into the baby's eyes. Try using cornstarch, just be careful not to get it into the baby's eyes. Also, try not using baby wipes.

Answer 7

Um that sounds like that might be a yeast infection, my boys got them all the time and it's normal......I used monistat 7 to treat it, but i would get medical advice before treating it....ask a doc if that is what it might be.