PF + Wool = Rash???

[AundAPenner]

We've been successfully CDing now for almost 2 full weeks. :thumbsup:

We're using cotton PFs and wool covers. We're also using Imse Vimse flushable liners. BUT - DS keeps getting a rash!

I've added an extra rinse after our wash cycle (samsung front loader).

We've switched to Sodasan (from persil sensitive).

We change him way more often than when he was in sposies (at least every 1-1.5 hours).

What else could it be?

If he had buildup in the PFs, wouldn't we smell it? His dipes just smell like dipes. And when they come out of the dryer, they smell nice and clean.

Any thoughts/advice?

Please help!!!!!

Alice

[mom2dara]

My Babe has been in cloth her entire life (almost 10 mo now) and she has never had rash. You seem to do the same as I do with regards to changing her frequently. The only time her bum seems to get irritated is when she comes in contact with poo. Change immediately with every pooed diaper!
ALSO:
Give diaper free time every day!

If your babe is on solids you could also try to research foods that could be causing the rash as well.

If your babe still has rashes with the new detergent try another -- I use Charlie's Soap and it does a BEAUTIFUL job on my prefolds.

Allergy to wool may be a possibility.

HTH!

[queenginseng]

You using dryer sheets or fabric softener?

Where is the rash at?

[AundAPenner]

No fabric softener in either the washer or dryer. I did start adding 1/4 cup vinegar to the last rinse in the wash cycle. Then we do an extra rinse after that is done. (A load of diapers with the babycycle is over 2 hours - the extra rinse adds an additional 15 minutes.)

His rash is really more by his butt.

We ended up using vaseline last night just to act as a protector. His butt was much better today. But when he poos, he now screams when I have to clean.

I'm getting in some hemp PFs and actual cloth wipes (we're using old baby washcloths). Won't the hemp be more absorbant than the cotton? And our thoughts on the wipes is that cloth is SO much easier but the terry might be too rough on his rash.

Thoughts???

[mom23girls]

Alice -
I think, but could be wrong, but, if you are using liners then you can use regular diaper cream.

Also, I know that the idea of no liners is yucky but, I would maybe try going that route - maybe the liners are the issue?

Are you doing sposies overnight?

[MammaBx3!]

I have to do more than one extra rinse with my FL. I do the extra rinse on the usual cycle, then run a full load with no soap on delicates instead of a second "extra rinse". Also, the vinegar could be not rinsing fully, or too much soap? Try cutting it or quadruple rinsing your diapers to get residue out. Baby washcloths should be fine if you use extra water. I keep a squirt bottle like the postpartum hospital one to spray off when we have rashes, then you don't have to wipe it much. GL!

[queenginseng]

The vinegar makes the wash very acidy. Have you tried using less or cutting it out a few loads? Baking soda should neutralize it.

What temp are you washing at and how many days between?

How much Sodosan are you using?

I think you would smell build up, do the dipes smell smelly right after a pee?

Every 2 or 3 days, I do a short cold wash and a second longer hot wash with detergent/soap nuts. When I do not, they smell funky after a pee. (Even if I do a hot wash with prewash or extra rinse.) But these dipes are usually just peed in.

Is he pooping a lot, or more than usual? Eating acidy things?

[AundAPenner]

You know, I hadn't considered that the vinegar would make it acidic.

I just finished washing - and added a full 2 wash cycles with nothing added.

How do I use baking soda? How much? Can I use too much?

I think we use about 40mL of Sodasan for about 10 dipes.

The babywash cycle runs at 95Celcius. The short wash cycle I did without anything added ran at 60Celcius.

When he pees, the diapers smell like a peed on diaper. But I wouldn't call it strong or ammonia'ish. What type of a smell would I be looking for?

Since we switched to cloth, he is pooping more. Little stinker!

Gotta run - gotta run meltdown mode.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it!

The vinegar makes the wash very acidy. Have you tried using less or cutting it out a few loads? Baking soda should neutralize it.

What temp are you washing at and how many days between?

How much Sodosan are you using?

I think you would smell build up, do the dipes smell smelly right after a pee?

Every 2 or 3 days, I do a short cold wash and a second longer hot wash with detergent/soap nuts. When I do not, they smell funky after a pee. (Even if I do a hot wash with prewash or extra rinse.) But these dipes are usually just peed in.

Is he pooping a lot, or more than usual? Eating acidy things?

[queenginseng]

Why are you using vinegar? As a fabric softener?

So you do 2 washes? 1 at 60 and 1 at 90?

You would know when it smells funky, it would smell fishy/like ammonia.

[AundAPenner]

I don't know why I'm using vinegar. I guess as a fabric softener and also an additional deodorizer. I use it with all our towels too.

The first wash cycle is 2 hours long - is that normal? That one is at 95 degrees. I added a second shorter cycle at 60, but that takes an additional 45 minutes.

Is it common in Europe/with a FL to take 3 hours to wash dipes?????

[queenginseng]

It could be normal based on your machine, I use economy mode which takes longer.

I think you only need one hot wash. You could probably save some electricity by doing a first cold wash and then the 95.

[AundAPenner]

I think the setting I use on my washer is a cold pre-wash, then a hot cycle.

Is that what you're talking about? Or a fullout cold wash then hot wash? Which temp would you use the detergent in?

[kettle]

I definitely second the mama who said have diaper free time. We were having a problem with rashes and as soon as I started letting him have 20 minutes a day no diaper it all cleared up! We haven't had a rash since! Some babies just have more sensitive skin and need time to air out.

Booyah rubber sheets.

[queenginseng]

A cold prewash and a 60 or 90 hot wash does not cut it for me, it leaves the dipes smelly when peed in. I wash a short cycle with no temp/no detergent and a hot 60 or 90 with soap nuts or detergent. I do a 60 wash sometimes if the dipes are just peed in.

I agree with nakey time. Even if it is just sitting on the potty looking at books! Winter is not so nice for nakey time.

How are you washing and lanolizing the wool? Are you rotating a lot?

It sounds like you have a good wash routine.

I have not used them but some use silk liners (reusable) for rashes.

[AundAPenner]

I recently bought some silk liners and we use them at night. They are *magic*! :)

Up until yesterday, when I received my ENI, I was using just J&J and lanolin for my wool.

BUT - we started getting an ammonia smell in our dry pail. Yikes! I washed everything again and was shocked when we got the smell even AFTER he peed!!! Ewwww.

I think I was not using enough soap. MIL reminded me just yesterday that we have hard water - lots of calc buildup in our water-cooker and coffee pot.

I've rewashed everything with more soap (was using only 40mL - I've doubled that) and then ran a full cycle again to make sure it's all gone.

We have a Samsung with the silver care option. I usually don't use it because, well, it adds time already to the wash routine. But I used it on both cycles. And I did 2 very long, full cycles - both on hot. (Can I ruin my PFs at 95???)

I'll find out today if it worked and update. Hopefully that will resolve the funk and subsequently and remaining rash.

But I'll tell ya - I am amazed at how quickly using a silk liner has helped his poor bum!

PS - DH is off work from Christmas Eve till the New Year - we're planning on LOTS of nakey time during that time!!! Being 6 months pregnant (and recently told by my peri to not add stress) means we are not PLing directly, but giving him a chance. He loves to go potty - sometimes!