I'm breastfeeding exclusively and am worried about my newborns diaper rash - it is very red and raw right around his actual anus.. It doesn't seem to bother him but I'm concerned that it may be an allergy to something I'm eating and is being passed on through my breastmilk... The nurse recommended I stop using wipes but he's still raw... He also vomits/spits up after almost every feed and in between feeds-as well as being congested- he's gaining weight well, but all of these things combied have me concerned (this is my first :) Any insight is much appreciated!!

Hi Lin22... could be from something you are taking in.

Often, if a food item is going to cause a problem for a breastfed baby it will be dairy. Dairy can come from a number of sources and it can stay in your system for a fair amount of time. Take a look at what you eat and drink and how often. Cutting back, and seeing if it makes any difference, would be a good step.

Also, it can help to use just plain, warm water during diaper changes for awhile and keep him as dry as possible. Letting him sit in a carrier for a time each day, with his diaper open (arranged strategically of course!) will allow for some airing out, which can be helpful.

As far as the spitting up and vomiting, as long as he is gaining weight and seems content it is likely not a problem. Some babies spit up regularly and some will have reflux... which is usually outgrown in a few months and needs no intervention if the above holds true. It is often more distressing for the parent than the baby... :) You can try keeping him in a more upright position for a time, 20-30 minutes for example, after a feed before lying him on his back. Try winding/burping often, even if he doesn't seem to need it much as a few short intervals during a feed may help. Watch for his hunger cues... smacking his lips, tongue thrusting, suckling on his fist, etc. and put him to the breast before he gets to the crying stage.

If his doctor has given you the go ahead, you can try a thin layer of a diaper cream and see if that helps. Some people find just plain corn starch works well.

Certainly, if after trying a few things... and it may take several days to notice any improvement, see his doctor again if it appears to get worse or you feel he is in discomfort from it.

I am by no means a medical expert, but I do have two kids and my son had constant diaper rashes which we later learned was due to thrush.

He had thrush (and so did I through breastfeeding) for the first 8 months of his life. We did all the treatments but it kept coming back. Because of the thrush he had severe diaper rashes that would bleed, no store bought diaper cream would work.

Has your baby been checked for thrush? Check the inside of his mouth, if it is thrush there should be white, milk curdle like, bumps in his mouth, mainly on the inside of his cheeks. You'll also find that your nipples are raw because he'll pass the thrush onto you while nursing.

Just a thought, something to check out.

<<<<Has your baby been checked for thrush?

Had to spread the rep... which is surprising as I haven't even been on for awhile... :) But I agree, thrush is a possibility that should be looked into as well... :)