Help, I need advice...

[rebeccamum]

Ok let me start by saying my DD's having eczema on her bum and nappy area. It happened when I introduced hemp nappies to her so I had to get rid of them (still feeling sad cos I love them!). We now stick to Tots Bots, that means, no liners, no covers, no nothing. The eczema sorts of comes and goes, it doesn't feel dry and rough anymore - just red and a bit spotty. Last night DD did the heaviest wee, I changed her every 2 hours before I fed her and the nappies are completely soaked :eek: This morning her bum, which already was recovered the other day, looks red and has nappy rash (I think it is nappy rash not eczema). Is that because she's so wet last night?

I don't know what I'm gonna do now....I don't know what I should use to protect her from nappy rash and eczema. Sometimes I wonder if her eczema has anything to do with the kind of nappies I use at all...I'm so confused! I use PUL cover when I go out even if I'm concerned about her sensitive skin but I have no choice. At night I don't use anything but just cotton Tots Bots (no wonder she leaks). Does anybody have similar situation? I've been emailing WAHMS who sell nappies and asking these questions but most of them don't know much about babies with eczema :(

The Nappy Lady website talks about using silk liners for babies with eczema. Is anybody using them and how good are they? Also where can I get them ?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated, I'm at my wit's end!

[LucyE]

Your poor DD! I haven't had any personal experience with eczema so I don't know if these suggestions may be helpful or not. Some other members may be along soon to give some other ideas. Lara (wawa) usually has good suggestions so if she doesn't pop in here you could possibly try PM-ing her.

Okay, I assume you try to go without a cover because of the heat/sauna effect. Have you tried or considered using fleece or wool covers? They are so much more breathable than PUL but will still protect DD's clothes (and everything else) from getting wet.

Could the eczema be made worse by the type of detergent you are using? Hemp is a very absorbant fabric so tends to 'hold on' to detergent residue more than other fabrics. A vingear rinse is recommended by some people to help get rid of excess detergent or maybe just do an extra rinse cycle.

Also, what are you using as wipes? Although some people swear by a chamomile tea solution, others react badly to it. I suppose it's a bit of trial and error...

Silk liners - if you can do some basic sewing, you can just buy raw silk from a fabric shop and hem it. I've been told that it gets sold as 'silk dupion' in Australia. There are a few WAHMs that sell silk liners - BabyBeehinds is one I think.

Was it you asking in another thread about all cotton nappies? You can get Erica's that are custom made to have an all cotton exterior (outer and inner) but with a concealed body made from hemp so you still get the absorbancy and trimness of hemp. I've got some with an organic cotton velour inner which is just so soft and devine. The wonderful thing about velour is that it doesn't feel as wet against the skin as normal cotton terry or flannelette.

I hope it all settles down soon.