Help! I Am Latex Allergic and Will Be Having a Baby in June.

I see that you got lots of responses. I also found a web site that sells latex free bottles and nipples. the address is
www.podee.com/pages/about_podee.html. You can also go to a medical supplie store and get information from them. good luck.

Cloth diapers are super easy these days. I recommend checking out sites like this one http://www.clothdiaperme.com/registry.php?show=register that offers a registry, help and support, and even a trade in program for your used diapers. There are no more pins - its all velcro and snaps. Washing is no big deal. My son is horribly allergic to the disposable diapers as well as microsuede and micro fleece cloth diapers - so we use cotton, hemp, and bamboo (mostly in super soft velour) diapers. No more diaper rash and blisters!

Also, check out sites like www.diaperpin.com and diaperswappers.com for more info to see what folks like and why, more info on how and why to use and care for them. Also you can see that there is a huge market for used diapers - so while the initial expense can seem like a lot (although in the long run it is a huge savings over disposables) you really aren't spending a lot since you can often resell them at nearly the original cost. If you later want to see really neat diapers and clothes made by WAHM's - check out www.hyenacart.com

Would silicone nipples and pacifiers be ok?
As far as your delivery, make sure all of your medical staff knows about the allergy. They'll likely label the chart, put a sign on your door, etc. I don't know about diapers. There's always cloth diaper services, and...I just Googled for "latex-free diaper" and found that Seventh Generation (the company that makes earth-friendly detergents and cleaners) also makes latex-free diapers! Even if your baby isn't allergic, you will have to handle them a dozen times a day!
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Diapers-Seventh_Generation_Chl...

They are also sold at 1800diapers.com

Are your breastfeeding. That would be my first recommendation.

Go to the website www.sbaa.org and follow the link for the 2006 latex list. It is a fairly comprehensive list of common products that contain latex. It may help you with ideas for things beyond the bottle nipples. This is the website for the Spina Bifida Association of America, and they have the link because latex allergy is a very common thing for people with spina bifida.
Hope it helps!
M.

Hi Jodi!

Congrats on your upcoming arrival! Summer babies are a blast! As far as latex free products there are several options! We use Avent Bottles with silicone nipples and our daughter uses nuk pacifiers with silicone nipples. She isn't allergic to latex that we know of however, had an easier time keeping the silicone pacifiers in her mouth. I work in a hospital and 90% of what they use in the hospital is latex free...including the gloves! But be sure to remind them of your allergy!

Good luck!
J.

I am also Latex allergic but my son's are not. It was extremely difficult delivering through c-section w/Latex free gloves because they are very slippery..

I had to buy Latex free gloves so I can touch all the items that I come in contact with that has latex.

Good Luck.
M.

You may want to try Seventh Generation Baby Diapers and Baby Diaper Wipes. I have used both the diapers and wipes on my daughter the day she was born and we have had no problems. You do have to change baby more often. The diapers are not white they are light brown. They are Chlorine Free, Hypo-Allergenic, Fragrance and Latex Free. They cost a little more than the regular diaper, but it is worth it. You can purchase them at all Whole Foods, Kroger just started carrying them, but only big sizes.

www.seventhgeneration.com
The staff at Seventh Generation are so nice and they love to hear from their consumers.

As far as nipples. I like Avent bottles and nipples.

Congratulations!!!

Both Gerber and Soothie brand bottles offer silicone nipples instead of latex, I'm sure there are more out there. Look at walmart..they should have plenty of silicone nipples. As for diapers I wasn't aware they had latex in them, have you thought about cloth diapering? It's came a long way from what our moms used, it's no harder than disposables. Let me know if you want any links to check them out..I'm the link queen when it comes to cloth diapers LOL.

Look for silicone nipples. They are usually clear. Try the following link. I found the information below there.

Regards,
K.

http://www.tinyfootprints.org/forums/expecting-f/0003

Silicone nipples and pacifiers reduce the chance of latex allergies. Latex comes from the sap of the tropical rubber tree. Latex allergies can occur without warning and anyone can become allergic to latex. Children born with spina bifida, or those who have had many operations, have been recognized as having the greatest risk of being allergic to latex products.

Latex comes in different forms and is more likely to cause a reaction when contained in soft-poured products, such as gloves and nipples, than in hard products like car tires. The American Academy of Family Physicians has more information on latex allergies here http://familydoctor.org/254.xml.

Silicone, which is a synthetic rubber, does not appear to cause the same concerns. You can usually tell if something is silicone or latex because silicone tends to be clear and latex a yellow color.

Hope that helps!

If you plan on breastfeeding you can save youself a bunch of money and just skip buying nipples, bottles, etc....

For a latex free diaper, Seventh Generation makes disposibles that are latex free (My DD is also allergic to latex), since they are so expensive, we use cloth diapers instead.

Because I am not super aware of what materials contain latex, I will pose the idea of using silicone nipples, with the understanding that for all I know, silicone has latex in it. However, we love the silicone nipples, we use the platex bottles, and the gerber NUK pacifiers. Best of luck in your new adventures, our first daughter was born 2 days after our 1st anniversary, so I know right where you are! Have fun :) ~A.~

I know I have seen latex nipples and pacifiers at stores like Target....you can buy silicone ones. Most major brands carry silicone.

As far as diapers...I don't know if diapers have latex. There are "natural" diapers you can buy at stores like Whole Foods that do not have chlorine in them....you could check it out.

Good luck!

All baby products like nipples and pacis are labeled with latex or silicon. Avent nipples are all silicon I believe. Also Gerber pacis and nipples have both kinds. Silicon is usually clear.

Hope that helps.

R.

Enfamil also has some Single Latex free nipples.
The hospial usually give you some.

My husband was allergic to the disposable diapers,
and had to wear cloth.
So, we didn't know if our kids would be.
We used Pampers mostly, since they would send us coupons
if you register with them at pampers.com.

Neither of them had any re-action.
They have changed the diapers alot in the last 20-30 years.

Good luck