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One minute they're constipated and the next minute they're pooping nonstop. Add a gnarly case of diaper rash and voila, you've got yourself some serious DD (a.k.a. DIAPER DRAMA!) So what can parents do to remedy this parenting plague? Today, Parents Ask experts Dr. Robert Sears, author of The Baby Book, Dr. Scott Cohen, author of Eat, Sleep, Poop, and Dr. Cara Natterson, author of Your Newborn Head to Toe discuss the causes ofDD and offer remedies to cure it.
Diaper drama still feel like a pain in the you know what? Here's a RECAP from the experts:
Dr. Robert Sears-- Diarrhea: "There are four main causes, and treatments vary based on cause."
CAUSES AND CURES:
• Milk allergy – This can be from milk-based formula, or milk in a breastfeeding mom’s diet. To treat this type, either change the formula you’re giving your baby, or if you’re breastfeeding, remove milk from your diet.
• Anti-biotic use – Sometimes anti-biotics used to treat other infections have this unfortunate side effect. If your child is on antibiotics and has diarrhea, treat with probiotics (like acidophilus).
• Infectious diarrhea – These aren’t usually treated with antibiotics and they just have to run their course. Stick with the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast). Pro-biotics can also help.
• Other food allergies – Remove the most likely allergic foods – nuts, soy, wheat, and see if that helps.
Dr. Scott Cohen - Constipation: "It's defined by the consistency not the frequency."
CAUSES:
• The most common cause is functional constipation. This happens when the child’s stool is hard, therefore painful, and the child holds it, which just makes it worse. The longer your child holds it, the worse it gets.
• Remember: newborns always strain, grunt, and turn red. They simply don’t know what muscles to use when pooping. If it comes out soft, which it usually does, it’s not constipation.
CURES:
• Increase the “p” fruits. Plums, pears, prunes, peaches, apricots, prune juice. These fruits are high in fiber and water.
• Decrease starch and dairy foods.
• Medication can help: Milk of Magnesia, miralax, suppositories.
Dr. Cara Natterson- Diaper Rash: "The Most Common Diaper Drama of them all!"
CAUSES:
• Diaper rash occurs because it is hot and sweaty in your child’s diaper. This causes irritation to your baby’s skin.
• Diaper rash is made worse by what’s in the diaper. There is bile in poop, and that bile burns a baby’s skin. When the baby’s skin is already irritated, this causes a lot of painful trouble.
CURES:
• AIR is the single greatest cure for diaper rash. Try to let your baby have some naked time after a diaper change. Air is diaper rash’s biggest enemy.
• Ditch the baby wipes during diaper rash. Baby wipes are fantastic, but when your baby has a rash, the chemicals in the baby wipes burn their skin. Use warm water on a washcloth and if necessary, very mild soap.
• White diaper cream is a great preventive measure. Creams that contain zinc act as a barrier between your baby’s skin and the diaper. It’s almost like a second layer of skin for your baby.
Top parenting experts provide expert advice to some of your most common parenting dilemmas. Presented in a “round table” format, you’ll benefit from their varying opinions and a wide range of expertise.
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