28 answers

Can Diaper Rash and Not Eating Be Related?

I have an eight month old daughter. First of all, by the standard growth chart, she's about 2 lbs underweight (as in, off the charts) and the pediatrician makes SURE I am aware of this at the end of every visit. For the past two weeks, she's had a moderate diaper rash. We've been using Desiden and A&D but neither are solving the problem. There always seems to be poop in her diaper so it is necessary to wipe her. Here's where I'm curious... For about the past week, she's stopped eating her normal portions (4oz formula, 1/4 cup rice or oatmeal cereal, and 1 jar Stage 2 baby food). First she cut down from 6 feedings to 4, and yesterday she only ate twice. I sat with her and tried to get her to eat, but she wouldn't even open her mouth. I don't want to force feed her but I know she should be eating more than what she is. The pediatrician said not to give her a sippy-cup and to stick with bottles. But recently, she just puts the nipple in her mouth and lets it sit. I'm curious to know if the diaper rash could be affecting her hunger? She acts healthy and stays alert and active. Another thought is that her teeth are bothering her. She cut her first tooth last week and her second one is almost at the surface. ...I plan to call the pediatrician later today but I thought I could get some encouraging advice before they somehow blame her lack of appetite on me.

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thank you all for your help!!!! This past doctor visit went pretty well. We were the first appt of the day, so I'm sure that helped. Anyway, by Monday, the diaper rash was almost gone; and yes, it was ever only a moderate/severe diaper rash. Since the top of her tooth surfaced, she's regained her appetite. The doctor did some standard reflex testing and assured us everything's fine with her. Yaaay!!!

Featured Answers

I do not know about the appetite problem but for diaper rashes I use the target brand of diaper rash cream and for my 11 month old son it works better than any other brand I tried. I also give him a warm bath with lavender scented bubbles and then let him run around naked for 5-10 minutes to air dry, so to speak. I also introduced my son to the sippy cup when he was 5 1/2 months old ( I couldnt wait!) and he weened himself off the bottle by seven months. His doctor was shocked! I would recommend a sippy cup with a soft spout. Some of the Gerber ones may say soft but they were still kinda too hard for my son. I got the Nuby with the soft spout and he took right to it. You can find it at walmart for under two bucks. I hope this helps.
~Jenn

1 mom found this helpful

Well i don't know about the diaper rash...but i know when my daughter was first teething, her appetite changed. All she wanted to do was cuddle and eatng wasn't at the top of her list. After the teethcame in...the apetite came back. I wouldn't worry too much about it. And I always take what docters say with a grain of salt.
Good luck.
A.

1 mom found this helpful

Ok the not eating could very well be because she has teeth coming in. I know when my son was little he didn't eat as much when he was teething. He also have loose diapers. Which could very well cause diaper rash. So pretty much they can both be related to her teeth coming in. Also my friend has 2 little girls that are very underweight. As long as she is growing then don't worry about it.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Is there a chance that she could have a yeast infection? I know that can really irritate her bottom and A&D and Desitin will not help that. Plus if she has it on her bottom she could possibly be dealing with it in her mouth -thrush. My son wants everything in his mouth when he teeths. If the doctor seems to make sure you are "AWARE" of her weight, has she suggested anything to help her gain or at least maintain? Could there possibly be a digestive problem? I hope you get answers soon.

Take care,
P.

1 mom found this helpful

I am curious to know if she is 2 lbs below average or off the chart. I would also like to know if she acts healthy, and is active. The charts are an average. And in the past babies need to be fat to survive sicknesses. Now though most major sicknesses are averted through vaccines and cleanleness. So if your child is develpomently on track and active, use the chart as a guide not as a rule. Also, look at her genes.
In saying that you want to make sure that she is getting the nutrition she needs.
Concerning the diaper rash, are you wiping her each time with a wipe. If you are stop. It dries out the skin and can cause diaper rash and try an oatmeal bath, and a soap with no fragrance. The perfume has alchohol that can dry the skin as well. Aveeno makes one with out a fragerance. Becareful though it isn't tear proof.
But basically trust you instincts.

1 mom found this helpful

I have a 9 1/2 month old and about a month ago he had a (what I thought was a diaper rash) I used A&D, Balmex and it was not getting any better. He was also very fussy, anyway it turned out not to be a diaper rash but rather a yeast infection. This is my fourth child and you never can be sure, it may not be a diaper rash and that is why she is not eating. It is good you are bringing her to the doctor.

K.

1 mom found this helpful

If you think she may be teething this could be the reason for the extra poop and as a result the diaper rash. If you notice extra drooling this is also a sign of teething which sometimes makes it painful to suck a bottle or swallow because these things bring the blood in her gums to the surface which makes them throb and painful. (When you have a cut it doesn't actually begin to hurt until the blood reaches the surface.) My Pediatrician suggested trying formula with an eye dropper (we used a medicine dropper) or a cup with no lid, this lets her get a drink with out sucking which could be painful. This helped us a lot, since he was hungry just in too much pain to suck on the bottle.

1 mom found this helpful

My son's gone through periods of not wanting to eat anything, but it usually doesn't last long and he makes up for it when he's ready to eat again. One thing I've noticed is that when my Mom watches him she gives him apple juice all day and he ends up with constant poop and a diaper rash for a day after he visits with her. You don't mention your daughter drinking juice, but I just wanted to throw it out there it in case it could be contributing to the problem!

By the way, congrats to your husband for being a proud stay-at-home dad. We need more of those around here. :)

1 mom found this helpful

I do not know about the appetite problem but for diaper rashes I use the target brand of diaper rash cream and for my 11 month old son it works better than any other brand I tried. I also give him a warm bath with lavender scented bubbles and then let him run around naked for 5-10 minutes to air dry, so to speak. I also introduced my son to the sippy cup when he was 5 1/2 months old ( I couldnt wait!) and he weened himself off the bottle by seven months. His doctor was shocked! I would recommend a sippy cup with a soft spout. Some of the Gerber ones may say soft but they were still kinda too hard for my son. I got the Nuby with the soft spout and he took right to it. You can find it at walmart for under two bucks. I hope this helps.
~Jenn

1 mom found this helpful

It could affect her appetite if it hurts. Next bath time place a small amount of baking soda in the bathwater. If you use an infant tub place about two tablespoons and in a big bath about 1/4 to 1/2 cup (not heaping) It neutralizes the acid in the urine from the diaper and try the rash cream called Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Sounds weird but even my doctor said it's better than anything out there. You can find it at the baby store,target, walmart, and most pharmacies. I still use A&D and Desitin if my son’s bottom is a little irritated.

Try to avoid juices like apple, orange, etc. Anything with high acid and leave the apple baby food out of her diet for a few days to alleviate acid. Pears are o.k.

I hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, I have three kids so I know what you are going through. I believe the rash could be related to the eating. But I also want to tell you that the fact that she is a little underweight is not that big of a deal. All three of mine were that way when they were litlle and they are just fine now. Also, you know your child best. If the only way to get her to actually drink something is by sippy cup, then do it. It can't hurt her. I don't know why the doc told you not to. My first one was drinking out of a sippy at 5 months old. Now for the rash. If it has not gotten better with ointment or if it seems it has gotten worse, it could be a yeast infection. I know that sounds crazy for a baby, but it does happen. If it is that, the diaper rash ointment will make it worse. You can go to walmart or any drug store and get a yeast infection treatment like you would get for yourself if you had one, and just open the tube and rub it on her about 2 times a day until it gets better. I did this with mine and several other kids I have kept and it works wonders. I hope this helps you. C.

1 mom found this helpful

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