Persistent Diaper Blowouts

Updated on December 01, 2011
X.O. asks from Naperville, IL
9 answers

My 8 month old has ALWAYS been an epic pooper. At least once a day he has a diaper blow-out. I thought that once he started solids his poo's consistency would firm up a little bit and be more of a paste, but they're still pretty darn wet. (Sorry if this sounds TMI--just trying to describe it accurately.)

I don't think he has lactose intolerance, because he's NEVER fussy, and he is in the 95th percentile for weight.

So, what could it be? Any suggestions for how to deal with it?

We are using the size 4 diapers, which is the same size my 28 lb 2 yr old uses. Cloth diapers do contain it a BIT better, but not enough for me to rely on them to solve the problem.

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

Correct, he's been exclusively formula fed since about 2 weeks old. I haven't tried switching diaper brands yet, but definitely worth a shot.

Pretty sure size 4 is right for him--he's 25 lbs, and the sz 3s were leaving deep impressions on his chubby legs.

I bought some Pampers Baby Dry this morning, so hopefully that'll contain it..if not, I'll try Luvs (would have tried them first, but my store was out).

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M.C.

answers from Boston on

HI!
My son also had trouble with this. I found that I could tighten up his stools a bit by adding a little extra rice and bananas to his diet, and that's really helped with the diaper blowouts. It was an easy solution, keeps him cleaner and has also improved his diaper rash! Good luck!

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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

My only suggestion would be to make sure his diapers never get very wet - if the absorbancy is all "used up" with pee, then he's bound to blow out every diaper :o)

Have you tried switching brands? I've always had great success with Pamper's baby dry - hardly any diaper explosions.

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

I would buy plastic diaper covers - like potty training kids use, the thin plastic underwear type pants - and put those over his diaper. At least that way the blow out will be contained. You may have to go up to a size 5 diaper, sometimes that is the problem. Make sure that the legs of diaper have the elastic flat against his leg, and that the waist is tight.

As far as food wise - p's and b's (pear, blueberries, any berries really, prunes, plum, etc.) make for runnier poops, as does any juice. BRAT makes for more solid poo - banana, rice, apple and toast. So adjust his diet as needed with that. Maybe some rice and banana or apple each morning?

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★.O.

answers from Tampa on

If I recall... you are NOT breastfeeding right? Normal loosely formed poop is only in breastfed babies. Formula and solids cause a very formed poop. If he's not getting a lot from breastmilk, I'd wonder also why the poops are so liquidy. Last time you went to the Pediatrician for this baby,,, did you mention the poop consistency?

****ADDED****
My 4 month old is borderline between #2s and #3s. When his blow outs started about 2 months, we switched from Luvs (which was nice thin and compact outline under onsies) to Huggies and that kept it in MUCH better. Usally his blow-outs are due to one leg being less centered than the other leg. With Luvs the poop would ooze all the way to his mid back! YUCK!! Since his return from the NICU at 10 days old... he's been exclusively breastfed, so the lose poop is normal for him, He's also 90th for height and weight... and diapers that fir his weight work better than those larger.

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M.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think your diaper are too large. I would first try to go down a diaper size. If that does not work, I would switch brands. No matter what, you would be saving money, because saving laundry makes up for the extra diaper cost. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

My son was this exact same way. I had a lot of success with Target brand diapers. I would also try going up a size. My son is 24 lbs and we use size 5s. His pooping did not get better until he started eating table foods consistently around a year. I talked to my ped about it and she was not concerned. She just said some babies just poop more. Sorry I am not more help but it will get better!!

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D.M.

answers from Chicago on

My 8 month old does the same thing! I have an 8 and 6 year old also, and never had that problem with them. They were all formula fed, even the same brand (similac adv)!!!! But now the baby has loose seedy poops, which are supposedly only for breastfed babies. My other two always had nice contained "pastey" poops. The only thing I can figure is in the past 6 years since I last had a baby, they have tweaked the formula. They're always trying to get it closer and closer to breast milk and it seems that they've hit on something.
As for the diaper situation, I have tried all brands and she has blown out of all of them! And solids have not made it any better. Sorry to say I don't really have any advice. The only thing I've found semi-helpful is I always put her in a onesie under her clothes so at least it's usually contained to that so I don't lose the shirt AND the pants everytime.
Good luck and you're not alone! I'll keep checking your post to see if anyone has a magic cure!

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T.C.

answers from Johnson City on

I actually have a my 2nd boy and am opposite the 1st post with luvs, we were using huggies and pampers when he was little, was exclusively breastfed until he started solids and still has bm with his meals, he is right at 11 months and weighs a lil over 20# and in size 3 luvs, we had to switch to luvs cuz when he would have even a normal poop it would ooze up his back and out the top, with luvs it contains it so much better, only time we have any problems now is if he pees a lot and has the smellless (fantom) poop (i hate those) luvs also has a moneyback guarantee and have new commercials that state they are better with the poop messes now, (not why we switched to them tho) with my first son he would peek thru everything but a luv, hope you find something that works but do go by weight on the boxes what ever ur child weighs look for that on the box that size will fit the best.

1 mom found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

I was going to ask about breastfeeding too...my son (1.5) still has the same problem-but he still nurses quite a bit.
If he is on formula-I'd have to think it would be worth talking to the ped..
I find that Pampers usually contain the nastiness the best on my boy.
GL!!! Hope you find a answer. :)
ETA: Totally agree w/ Pamela on the diaper thing...going TOO big is a complete disaster! ;)

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