nappy cream?

Only a few weeks before the due date, I have a query regarding nappy cream... It looks like UK nappy creams are a lot more medicated/antiseptic than what I'm familiar with in the U.S. Do you use Sudocream with each nappy change? Or only when there are signs of rash? Is there a gentle cream to use with each nappy change? What do you use with a newborn?

I am asking here on UKY because many of you will identify with my confusion... and I feel dumb asking on a UK forum...

Thanks for your time.

Rutabega

You should only use it (imo) when your baby has some redness or has nappy rash. I still have the jar I bought with my son four years ago!!! I say use nothing with a newborn unless they have a rash. Good luck!

I put Vasoline on DD for every change which helped to form a protective waterproof barrier on her bum, but was gentle on her skin.  She only had nappy rash once (in 2 1/2 years) and that was due to an allergy to a new juice we had tried.  I never used nappy cream on her.

I never used anything unless they showed signs of redness. With diposable diapers, it wouldn't occur to me to even use Vaseline, but I could understand why someone might want to use some sort of protective, preventative barrier if they were using cloth... though you need to be careful what you use due to build-up in the cloth.

I don't have kids, but I've worked as a nanny for 10+ years. As far as using something every change, it really depends on the baby. Some babies get diaper rash frequently and will need it every change. Other babies rarely need it.

Certain types of diapers can cause reactions also. Are you going to be using cloth or disposable diapers? If you use cloth, it helps to use a gentle/fragrance free detergent when washing diapers.

Putting some baking soda in a bath and letting the baby's bum soak in it for a few minutes can help clear up rashes.

I found that Sudocreme was too harsh for DD and did more harm than good when her bum was sore.  She happens to be prone to thrush/yeast infections on her bum and I think that the antiseptic nature of sudocreme just made it worse.  I have no scientific basis for that, but it is just what seemed to happen.  I started using the Waitrose Bum Butter as a protective barrier and that seems to work good. 

Thanks for the information! Much appreciated!

I only use creams as needed, but I have friends who put sudocrem on their babies with every single change.  Personally, I don't find sudocrem helps my DD much at all and have had to use stronger stuff when there are rashes. 

Don't stress about it at this point though-there are plenty of essentials like feeding and sleeping to worry about as a brand new mum.  You'll get around to looking at rash stuff when you need to. 

I personally LOVE Sudocrem. I only use it when redness is starting to show and it's gone by the next nappy change. In fact, I've started using it on myself. My nose is red and sore after blowing it too many times due to a cold and it's helped.

We don't use anything for a regular basis though. The girls don't need it.

I think it depends on which creams you use.  Sudocrem is a multi-purpose cream from nappy rash to pimples and bed sores.  Metanium is designed for when your baby has nappy rash, and is sometimes recommended by Drs.  Although, Vaseline can be recommended by Drs if your baby has a bad nappy rash as it has the least amount of ingredients: petroleum gelly.  Vaseline, Castor Oil and Zinc cream or Bepanthen are gentler than Metanium and Sudocrem, and I would consider them to be non-medicated. 

Both of my babies have extremely sensitive bottoms.  We used Sudocrem with DD pretty much from birth 'til she developed a teething nappy rash at 10mos.  Then we had to try everything under the sun and found and settled on Vaseline and Bepanthen as the best.  I use it at every change, but that's because of my children's skin.  I attempted to forgo with DS when he was born earlier this year, but that didn't work out too well.  With Sudocrem you only need a very teeny tiny amount to cover baby's bum (skin should appear slightly glassy).  Although the consistency is similar to Desitin, it's design is to be used sparingly wheras Desitin tends to be the more the better.

Good luck!

As far as the gentle ones go, I'd second the vote for Bepanthen.  I have liked that one a lot, but I was the same after DD started getting teething rashes.  We went through a period then when I tried everything under the sun b/c she would get a whole bunch of rashes no matter what I did to make it better.  During the just can't shake it rashes, I used Metanium and found it to be much more effective--although it's very strong, so I don't use it much.  If it got thrushy, I'd get some canesten (after talking to my midwife), but in the early stages of just a little red, I preferred Bepanthen and/or just a bit of Vaseline.

I don't have any children but I have plenty of childcare experience. I have found that Weleda make a great nappy cream which is natural and eco-friendly and it smells lovely. I haven't used it on a new born baby but it is suitable from birth onwards. Also pick of the palms coconoil is a fantastic as nappy cream but can also be use for other purposes too. My friend has used it on her daughter and her daughter has never had nappy rash. I hope this helps!

I use Sudocrem on DS and in fact, I've used 3 of the little sample pots included in my maternity Bounty pack. We only use it when he is a bit red, but he's never had a proper rash yet and it works wonders. I've also used it on him in the early days when he'd catch his cheek with a rogue fingernail.

Works for us.