Nappy rash- nursery?

[RenF]

My little girl has been at nursery now for about a month. Quite soon after she started, staff commented to me that she seemed to be getting a nappy rash. This was a real surprise to me, as we have been very lucky and she's never suffered with this.

The rash (well, it's more redness really than a rash) has come and gone but has never been a problem when she's at home on the day I don't work/weekends. However, LO and behold today she came home (after three days at home) very red, and clearly quite tender as she was upset getting in the bath/having nappy changed.

It's quite upsetting really, and obviously we're going to speak to the nursery but I really can't imagine why she's getting a rash unless her nappy isn't being changed frequently (which I'm fairly sure it is as they do it on a strict routine).

The only thing my husband noticed was that her nappy wasn't on very snugly this evening ie; could the urine be sitting on her skin rather than being taken in straight away and therefore causing a rash? Does that seem likely?

Anyone with any experience of this?

Thank you!

[Medusa]

I'm not sure the snugness of the nappy would make much difference. Is it possible that they are using a brand of wipes that disagree with her? Johnson's irritate some babies' skin, for example. Or could she be eating/drinking something there that is too acidic for her?

[jennyh]

Have you noticed any relation to what she is eating? I find that occasionally my daughter has slight rash after nursery days and to be honest I do think they may be occasionally late changing her as the rash is in exactly the same shape as the poo! Like you she doesn't have this at home...unless she has eaten more fruit or dried fruit than normal or oranges which are very acidic. It doesn't take masses of extra raisins or apricots to quite quickly get a rash...could that have anything to do with it?

Def be open with th nursery though, ESP if its upsetting you. You really need to trust them so if you're worried thn def communicate it.

[The Nappy Lady]

Nappy rash is caused by baby being left in a poo soiled nappy.

If they are changing nappies on a strict routine (ie every 2 hours), if she's pooing just after a change then being left until her next change is due I'd say that is the problem.

OR....could they be using a different type of wet wipe (or nappy), which may have something in it that she is reacting to.

Some babies are much more sensitive than others. It certainly sounds like something about their routine is causing the problem so do talk to them. Hopefully they will be keen to resolve it.

Try to leave her with nappy off at home as much as you can & fingers crossed it will clear up quickly.

[RenF]

Thank you all for the replies-

The point about fruit is a very good one- they have a mid morning snack where they eat as much as they like pretty much, so I wonder if that might be part of the issue?

Nappy lady, when I said strict routine I meant they get changed regularly regardless and also when they need changing (ie very wet or poo). I would be horrified if she was being left for a couple of hours with a soiled nappy, so whilst I really don't think that's happening I will definitely raise it...

We supply our own wipes etc so I don't think that is the issue.

[Saila]

Hate to say it, but the simple answer is most likely the cause.. I.e. She's been left in a dirty nappy for too long. And it doesn't take that long to get a rash

It is poo not wee that causes it

And I v v v much doubt its anything else like cream/wipes etc

I know a lot of friends who've had the same problem with their nurseries. They just kept shouting about it and eventually it was resolved. But it comes down to changing straight after a dirty nappy.

[jennyh]

Yep my girl has mid morning fruit snack and then seems to graze during the afternoon. I provide her snacks and limit her dried fruit but sometimes they share them all out. Sure you will get it sorted, granted its not nice to see and is upsetting, hope they listen to you.

[RenF]

Saila that really concerns me- I'm psyched up for a bit of a discussion with them tomorrow now... That is absolutely not on if it is the case.

[Pickle]

Surely nurseries are switched on enough to this sort of thing for it to not be down to sitting round in a dirty nappy? I'd be pretty annoyed if it was this, as it's a pretty basic part of looking after children!

I would tend towards looking at dietary factors. Baby Pickle loves raisins and grapes, but they don't love her bottom. Ditto raspberries, and she would eat a whole punnet given free rein. Even if I change her immediately when her nappy is dirty, she gets red after eating these fruits.

[Saffron]

Some children have really sensitive skin. At home you may change nappies immediately, but at nursery it may take them a few minutes to figure out who has the smelly bottom! Just those couple of minutes might make a difference, especially if combined with dietary changes.

What nappy cream are you using? Could you switch to a heavier barrier cream or a combination of creams, and have nursery staff reapply the barrier cream every time your LO's nappy is changed (even for wet nappies too)?

[Lochie]

Hi am just bumping this post in the hope that the OP is reading. Did you get to the bottom of it (pardon the pun!) RenF?

I am having the same problem with my daughter and can see a nursery pattern (she goes thurs and fris so very easy to collate her bad nappy rash days with her trips to nursery at the end of the week). During tonight's bath I was completely shocked as to it's severity, her front area is red raw and blistered. She doesn't seem too upset at present, I've got her nappy off to help it heal. The nursery are aware of the problem as have asked for 'the yellow nappy rash cream' I.e metanium.

How did you broach it RenF, as I am very happy with the nursery, love my daughter and son's key workers and don't want to seem like a surly mum? Did you manage to sort it out?

[RenF]

Hi Lochie,

Sorry to hear you're having a similar issue- horrible isn't it. I did actually have a conversation with the nursery. I'd got myself a bit worked up about it, but went in one morning with my other half to ensure that I didn't start shouting the odds unnecessarily. Her key worker felt it was to do with teething and having runnier nappies, which I could see the logic of, but I made a point of saying could they please keep a close eye and make sure to change her nappies as soon as they were aware she had done a poo, as I didn't want the rash getting worse. I didn't accuse them of leaving her for ages without changing her but felt I'd been able to make my point! Since then, she's suffered a little but nothing like as bad as it was.

If you're concerned I'd definitely have a word- its your prerogative after all!

RenF

[Lula]

I have had problems on/off with my little one when he went to childcare and I think it's actually acidic drinks. At home, my son drinks water or diluted juice, but at his childminder, he would often drink full-strength juice. Maybe ask your nursery to not give them juice for a week, only water, and see what happens? Blisters on skin is horrendous though and does point to infrequent nappy changes.

[Lochie]

Thank you RenF and Lula. I wrote an email to the nursery manager yesterday evening. I am pretty sure it is from being left in a wet nappy too long as often her clothes are wet when I collect her and they always claim they were 'just about to change her nappy' when I collect at the end of the day. Hmmm.

Lula - interesting point about juice drinks, I have no idea if she has juice at nursery, she doesn't have it at home so might be worth me asking...

Thanks again

[AllyMcB]

I have noticed my daughter can experience nappy rash when she is teething hard, and other friends have said the same about their babies and toddlers.

It does seem strange it only seems to happen when your daughter attends Nursery, and not when in your care though.

Ally