Cloth Diaper BMs

[MaritimeMummy]

A rash that will not go away is likely to be a yeast infection. I would mention that to mom and ask her about it. The diapers should probably be stripped, and you can safely use a probiotic powder from inside capsules directly on the bottom (just open and sprinkle lightly)

Yep, yeast latches on to those diapers and won't let go.

Another safe thing to use is a calendula oil, a drop or two, in the wash when dealing with yeast. For maintenance, a drop or two of tea tree oil for disinfection. Not every wash. Maybe once every 2 weeks or so.

[Countrygal]

Hmmmm, I stand corrected. Maritime is right about Ivory Snow and Dreft. In my days those were the only choices I had.... I apologize for giving poor information. While these two remain better than some, they are definitely NOT the best on the market in this day and age!!! And I guess I would disagree that they are the WORST, but they certainly don't have the properties I would look for if I was buying detergent now......

Children can also be allergic to the type of fabric. I know plenty of chlidren who can't use microfleece, which is what the majority of pocket diapers are, by default, made from.




NO NO NO NO!! I am sorry Countrygal but Dreft and Ivory are some of the WORST detergents to use with cloth diapers. These are two of the most notorious detergents for causing build up, mainly because everyone just assumes it's okay for cloth diapers if it's okay for clothes.

NOT true. Laundering cloth diapers and laundering baby clothing are worlds apart.

You'll notice from this very comprehensive detergent chart that those two detergents actually do contain fabric softeners already in them, which is what you had (correctly) said you should never use. :-)

You NEVER use bleach. consider all those harsh chemicals that then sit next to baby's bum...sort of defeats one of the purposes of using cloth, since disposables are made of so many different chemicals. I cloth diaper, and personally, given the choice between a pure, cloth diaper washed in Ivory Snow and bleach, or a chemically developed disposable diaper...I'd choose the disposable diaper every time.

http://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm

Hmmmm, very interesting reply and thanks for the info. As for the detergent - Ivory Snow was the only one I could use on one of my children that DIDN'T cause a rash..... go figure.

As to the bleach, I hesitated to mention it, but it DOES break down very rapidly, and once dried is pretty much gone. And better yet if you hang them on the line (see the thread on disinfectants). I did not use bleach all the time, but if there was an especially nasty diaper or I suspected some bacteria, I did. Some people hate the stains from unbleached diapers.

The fabric? That's interesting! I've pretty much always had cotton ones (more environmentally friendly, more absorbant). Good point. The problem could be in the TYPE of cloth diaper they are using!!! Thanks for pointing that out. But I would be much more inclined to seek out cotton diapers than to use a disposable, myself.....

Yeast infection would be a good thing to have them look for, too. It's been a while since I've had one in diapers, and that IS a very possible explanation!

I found this really neat chart on best detergents to use for cloth diapers! Hope it can help you - of course, it is only that site's opinion! http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html And to acknowledge what Maritime said - the chart rates Ivory Snow and Dreft pretty low. When I had kids there were not so many choices available. Glad there are a lot more now.... for my last one I used the homemade detergent and never had issues. I see that Trader Joe's "Cleanliness is next to Godliness POWDER (only)" is rated very high and free of almost everything! Looks like a wonderful choice if you have a TJ near!

Maritime - I used a wipe solution and made my own wipes, that might have helped my little one a lot as well. It was alcohol free and very soothing. Good suggestion! "Another safe thing to use is a calendula oil, a drop or two, in the wash, with a drop or two of tea tree oil for disinfection. Not every wash. Maybe once every 2 weeks or so."

[countrymom]

I would use a bucket and after dumping in the toilet I just threw everything in a bucket fill with laundry soap and would wash every 2 days. My kids never got bum rash from them, and I found that this is the reason they were all potty trained early too.

[Unregistered]

I used cloth diapers on my now 6 yr old and am currently using them on my ten month old.

I use bleach. I have never once wrecked a diaper nor has it ever irritated my baby's butt. I use aios, pockets, prefolds.

Keep in mind you are washing cloth that as been pooped and peed on. Many cloth "safe" detergents won't cut it. I'm not saying that none of them work but keep it in mind.

Don't be afraid of using the recommended amount of detergent. Often people hear you only need a tsp or maybe a liitle more. That's not going to get Bacteria out of your dipes and they will not get clean. I'm not saying you NEED bleach to get them clean but if you're having issues many times it is a result of dipes just not being clean. Bleach will help with that.

[MaritimeMummy]

Don't be afraid of using the recommended amount of detergent. Often people hear you only need a tsp or maybe a liitle more. That's not going to get Bacteria out of your dipes and they will not get clean. I'm not saying you NEED bleach to get them clean but if you're having issues many times it is a result of dipes just not being clean. Bleach will help with that.

the recommended amount of detergent is actually very very little, especially for an HE washer. I use liquid HE Allen's detergent. I put it in a hand soap dispenser. Seriously, 1 squirt does it. any more than that and I get so much build up I have to strip and strip.

As far as bleach goes...I agree that bleach is a good thing to use with getting something really clean. But with cloth diapers, I just don't want to risk using it. I don't want the elastics in the waist or legs to break down, etc. Bleach will cause that to happen. I'd rather use something oxygenated every once in a (long) while, and use lots and lots of natural, disinfecting, bleaching sunlight.

[Unregistered]

the recommended amount of detergent is actually very very little, especially for an HE washer. I use liquid HE Allen's detergent. I put it in a hand soap dispenser. Seriously, 1 squirt does it. any more than that and I get so much build up I have to strip and strip.

As far as bleach goes...I agree that bleach is a good thing to use with getting something really clean. But with cloth diapers, I just don't want to risk using it. I don't want the elastics in the waist or legs to break down, etc. Bleach will cause that to happen. I'd rather use something oxygenated every once in a (long) while, and use lots and lots of natural, disinfecting, bleaching sunlight.

Washing cloth dipes is definitely different for everyone. You have to find what works for you.
With different washers, different water types, etc it can be trial and error. Just wanted to give my experience. Bleach has worked well and has not ruined any dipes, but that may not hold true for everyone.