Diaper Rash Problems & Chemical Aversion

Written by Diaper Diva

Disposable diapers have been implicated by cloth diapering proponents for everything from chronic diaper rash, to male infertility, even to asthma! For some the problems are due to chemicals, others are due to the non-existent air-flow (which btw won’t be helped much in PUL covers)…. My opinion? Well…I’m not entirely sure. The arguments do make sense (some more than others), but I’m not 100% on board. But that’s not why we’re here folks. Let’s talk about diapering options for the chemically sensitive & rash-prone.

Chronic Diaper Rash:

I originally switched to cloth with diaper boy when he was somewhere around 14-16 months as a “last resort” having dealt with chronic rash problems since he was around 9 months old. It got to the point that i had to put him in the shower every time he had a bowel movement (which happened to be 4-5x/day!!) because I couldn’t wipe his sore rash one more time. The cloth diapers helped SOME, mostly because I was able to change him constantly (like every 30min-1hr) without the cost/environment stress. However, if left in a wet diaper (he only uses them for naptime & bedtime now) for an extended time he STILL gets a slight rash, whether cloth or disposable. The only thing that helps is for him to not be in a wet diaper (again, whether cloth or disposable!)….and to eat a lot of yogurt or take probiotics. As it turns out he had food allergies (we’re still narrowing it down, but pretty sure it’s casein & gluten). I think a large part of diaper rash is the diaper itself, but for the chronic, bleeding booty kids, I bet diet & constant changing has a lot to do with it.

So, diaper recommendations for the rash-prone: The best option for a rash-prone kid would be pre-fold diapers (or flats), using a fleece liner (for those that are not opposed to (or allergic) to non-natural fibers) & wool cover. I know prefolds aren’t as easy (until you get used to it) but they get clean the easiest, no super thick layers or different types of fibers to be dealing with. OR, prefold with no cover around the house (that’ll keep you on your toes to keep changing!…oh & for winter this is what babylegs are good for!) & PUL (like Mother-ease Airflow or Bummis) for out of the house excursions. Ideally you’d just go nekked at home (perhaps EC would be for you?), though the winter presents a problem for this option (babylegs don’t help a nekked butt!). The next choice after prefolds would be fitteds, for similar reasons (being an avid fitted user, I have to admit prefolds DO wash & dry up easiest).

Chemical Aversion:

If you’re pro-cloth because you’re anti-chemicals, then pretty much any cloth diaper is a possibility for you, depending on your reasons/level of avoidance. You may want to stay away from those that use polyester (Like Kissaluvs & The “Stay Dry” version of Mother-Ease) if you’re really anti-non-natural, then most pocket diapers are out for you as well (they are polyester fleece lined). Most AIO’s (I have heard of Wool-in-one’s..technically WI2’s, but have no experience w/them) are made with a PUL cover (polyurethane laminate…non-natural) or Polyester Fleece. If you care about what the cover is made from then wool is pretty much the only cover option for you. So the options for completely 100% natural fibers: prefolds, & non-poly fitteds (we’ll deal fully with covers later).

Related Articles You Might Enjoy:

Share and Enjoy: