Aa
rash around infant's nose
My 5 week old has developed a rash around her nose that has gotten worse since I noticed it Saturday. It doesn't have the appearance of baby acne & has since spread to her eyelids. I breast & bottlefeed & assumed it was something I had consumed & have stopped breastfeeding her. It looks like she had an allergic reaction. I have been putting Aquaphor on it b/c it looks uncomfortable... will it clear on its own or should I take her in to be seen? I also have had to change her formula from Similac Sensitive to Hypoallergenic - could that be a contributing factor? What can I do? Please help...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would try the hydrocortisone cream and see how it goes.
Did your doctor think that the rash was an allergic reaction? IF you think it may be an allergy to dairy or milk based products and you want to continue breastfeeding, you may need to cut out dairy from your own diet. You would need to cut it out completely and after a few weeks, gradually add in one dairy item at a time (like once a week) and see what bothers her. Does she seem better with the hypoallergenic formula? Have you seen a difference at all?
I understand how you feel about the second one being different from your first. I had my 4th and 5th children (twin boys) a little over a year ago and I had never been to the doctor as much with my other three than I was with these two. (and it wasn't because they were twins, because my first two were twins- so I thought the second set would be a breeze- boy was I wrong). I felt like I didn't know what I was doing half of the time, and they came down with colds, fevers, a round of ear infections, and an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. Like you, with all of my others, I was only at the doctors for their well visits and this time I felt like I was at the pediatricians twice a month for those first few months.
I had a really hard time breast feeding my first set of twins, and then my third did pretty well with it and my second set of twins were the best and easiest of all of them to nurse. I guess it just goes to show that each child can really be different. Hang in there, it will get better.
Did your doctor think that the rash was an allergic reaction? IF you think it may be an allergy to dairy or milk based products and you want to continue breastfeeding, you may need to cut out dairy from your own diet. You would need to cut it out completely and after a few weeks, gradually add in one dairy item at a time (like once a week) and see what bothers her. Does she seem better with the hypoallergenic formula? Have you seen a difference at all?
I understand how you feel about the second one being different from your first. I had my 4th and 5th children (twin boys) a little over a year ago and I had never been to the doctor as much with my other three than I was with these two. (and it wasn't because they were twins, because my first two were twins- so I thought the second set would be a breeze- boy was I wrong). I felt like I didn't know what I was doing half of the time, and they came down with colds, fevers, a round of ear infections, and an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. Like you, with all of my others, I was only at the doctors for their well visits and this time I felt like I was at the pediatricians twice a month for those first few months.
I had a really hard time breast feeding my first set of twins, and then my third did pretty well with it and my second set of twins were the best and easiest of all of them to nurse. I guess it just goes to show that each child can really be different. Hang in there, it will get better.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi and thanks for using the forum.
Rashes in young babies are VERY common. They have a lot going on- they are still clearing mom's hormones from their system and also they are used to being in a very wet environment (floating around in amniotic fluid) and now they are trying to get used to this outside dry environment. So, more than likely, this is nothing and will go away on its own with some time. I don't think I would put Aquafor (or anything else on it). This may irritate the sensitive skin even more. If you are really concerned, you can call her pediatrician and he or she can decide if they want you to bring her in to be seen.
My suggestion would be to keep breastfeeding her- if you stop, your milk supply will drop drastically. So if you planned on breastfeeding then I would continue to do so. You don't say why you had to switch formulas, but if it is because she was gassy or fussy on the other formula, then breastfeeding may be even more beneficial for her. Breast milk is the easiest for babies to digest and break down. If you think that something you eat bothers her, then just try and avoid that food and see how she does. Sometimes it is a matter of trial and error to find out what is bothering her. It may not have been anything you ate at all. I don't know if she is your first child or not, but I know how hard those first couple of months are- hang in there- you are doing great- it gets so much better and easier with a little time. Feel free to write again if you need. Good luck and congratulations on your little one.
Bridget
Rashes in young babies are VERY common. They have a lot going on- they are still clearing mom's hormones from their system and also they are used to being in a very wet environment (floating around in amniotic fluid) and now they are trying to get used to this outside dry environment. So, more than likely, this is nothing and will go away on its own with some time. I don't think I would put Aquafor (or anything else on it). This may irritate the sensitive skin even more. If you are really concerned, you can call her pediatrician and he or she can decide if they want you to bring her in to be seen.
My suggestion would be to keep breastfeeding her- if you stop, your milk supply will drop drastically. So if you planned on breastfeeding then I would continue to do so. You don't say why you had to switch formulas, but if it is because she was gassy or fussy on the other formula, then breastfeeding may be even more beneficial for her. Breast milk is the easiest for babies to digest and break down. If you think that something you eat bothers her, then just try and avoid that food and see how she does. Sometimes it is a matter of trial and error to find out what is bothering her. It may not have been anything you ate at all. I don't know if she is your first child or not, but I know how hard those first couple of months are- hang in there- you are doing great- it gets so much better and easier with a little time. Feel free to write again if you need. Good luck and congratulations on your little one.
Bridget
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Honestly, and I know there are a lot of people out there who would disagree with me, but I honestly don't see any difference between my kids that I breastfed and my kids that I did not. I ended up using formula fairly quickly with my first set of twins because I felt that they were not getting enough with just nursing and were super hungry all the time. Also, I found it too hard to be the only one who could feed them all the time- it was exhausting and I was truly overwhelmed. So once I started with the formula, life got a little easier because someone else could help me and they of course preferred the bottles. My third child nursed until she was 8 months, but also happily took formula whenever I gave it to her, so I didn't feel so "needed" with her. Finally, my second set of twins were great nursers, were satisfied when they nursed, and continued to nurse until just after their first birthday. So I guess what I am saying is I don't think it really matters. You do what works for you and her. I know it is hard when the baby wants to go to your husband, but try and look at it from a different perspective, it might be a relief for you that she will happily go to him and it is not only you that she will go to. Also, what a great way for your husband to bond with her (my babies always loved to go to my husband and I think it was because he is so much warmer than me and they loved getting all snugly and warm with him). I too found it hard for my older kids when the new babies came and they acted out as well. The best advice I can give you there is to try and play with her whenever the chance comes. I can honestly say, and I am not kidding, that I just recently caught up with my laundry that has been piling up since the babies were born (they were born 14 months ago). I honestly folded a load of laundry yesterday from last summer. But, I did my best and tried to spend my spare time with the older kids. My house and laundry suffered, but really, who cares. Also, when I was playing with my older kids and one of the babies cried, I tried to make a point of not dropping everything and getting the babies. I think this helped my older kids to see that I was not only "all about the babies" and that they were not going to lose me. I felt that if the babies cried for a little bit, they were not going to remember. But if I dropped what I was doing, my older kids would remember. By no means was I perfect, actually I was very far from it, but everything got better with time. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Maybe some mom's at your daughters school could invite her over for some play dates- makes her feel special and gives you some time. Like I said, it all gets better.
Finally, there are a lot of changes that are going on with you as well, so if you feel depressed or overwhelmed, you should speak with your doctor about this. Post partum depression is very common and there is help to deal with it. So make sure that you are asking for help if you need it- either with the kids or with yourself or both. Everyone will only benefit. Keep in touch.
Bridget
Finally, there are a lot of changes that are going on with you as well, so if you feel depressed or overwhelmed, you should speak with your doctor about this. Post partum depression is very common and there is help to deal with it. So make sure that you are asking for help if you need it- either with the kids or with yourself or both. Everyone will only benefit. Keep in touch.
Bridget
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Feel free to contact me again. I am home with my kids all day by myself too and I know how it is. Take care,
Bridget
Bridget
Thank you SO much! You have helped me tremendously!!! I have decided that she's not missing anything from not nursing since she's not interested in it & it was interrupted with the jaundice anyway & I think she's gotten enough nutrients that she needs from the time she did nurse so I'm okay with not breastfeeding anymore. Her face is looking a lot better as well & she's doing better with this formula -we're just trying to get rid of the diarrhea now since she's changed formulas again.
As for her preferring my husband, he's a lot warmer than I am as well & I think you're right as to this being the reason she prefers him. It's nice but he works long hours & I know he's very tired when he gets home & I try to accommodate him & not leave her with him all night, but he never complains b/c he knows I've been dealing with them both all day long. My 5 yr old has gotten better with helping me with the baby & I've tried being more patient with her & doing more with her - although I always make time for her - I just make sure to go the extra mile with her. I have set up some play dates for her but there's nothing like time with Mommy - she's had me to herself for the last 5 years & now has to share me with my husband & now her little sister, plus all the other changes that have occurred - she's overwhelmed as well!
I'm trying to stay positive & not succumb to the PPD but it just seems like there one thing after another that's making it impossible not to. I go for my follow up appointment tomorrow so I can return to work & I'm not excited. I think I'm just snapping back into reality & I'm a little starved for company... My mother & other family live in Ks & I'm in Tx now & my closest relative is almost 45 mins away & my husband's family is all in Ks as well. I've made a few friends that have kids but all of our schedules are hectic & getting together is a hit & miss. I'll work it out. Thank you so much for sharing with me - if you can do it with your 5 - I KNOW I can too! :-)
As for her preferring my husband, he's a lot warmer than I am as well & I think you're right as to this being the reason she prefers him. It's nice but he works long hours & I know he's very tired when he gets home & I try to accommodate him & not leave her with him all night, but he never complains b/c he knows I've been dealing with them both all day long. My 5 yr old has gotten better with helping me with the baby & I've tried being more patient with her & doing more with her - although I always make time for her - I just make sure to go the extra mile with her. I have set up some play dates for her but there's nothing like time with Mommy - she's had me to herself for the last 5 years & now has to share me with my husband & now her little sister, plus all the other changes that have occurred - she's overwhelmed as well!
I'm trying to stay positive & not succumb to the PPD but it just seems like there one thing after another that's making it impossible not to. I go for my follow up appointment tomorrow so I can return to work & I'm not excited. I think I'm just snapping back into reality & I'm a little starved for company... My mother & other family live in Ks & I'm in Tx now & my closest relative is almost 45 mins away & my husband's family is all in Ks as well. I've made a few friends that have kids but all of our schedules are hectic & getting together is a hit & miss. I'll work it out. Thank you so much for sharing with me - if you can do it with your 5 - I KNOW I can too! :-)
Well, her face is starting to look a whole lot better now. Thank goodness. Her Dr said it could be contributed to the dairy in my diet but she rarely nurses, if at all. I've decided that I'm going to stop breastfeeding b/c she gets so frustrated b/c my milkflow is extremely slow & after a few minutes she unlatches & screams & I end up giving her a bottle. I'm not sure if this formula is any better b/c she gets really bad gas & then has diarrhea so bad that she's extremely worn out afterwards. I'm not sure what to do & I'll be returning to work in about 2 weeks. I'm afraid to leave her w/anyone b/c I'm already frustrated/stressed & I can only imagine how someone else will feel.
I really don't want to stop breastfeeding but a w/my first daughter, my milk dried up quick (it dried after 3 weeks w/her & she would willinglt nurse). Since my second was jaundice they kept her in NICU & supplemented her, which made her less interested in nursing. Now, my milkflow is almost nonexistent & I'm not sure I can get it back (& wouldn't know how to). I feel like I'm alone in this & I'm stressed & exhausted. She prefers my husband at night & gives me a very hard time until he wakes & takes her, by that time, I'm close to tears as well...
I admire you for being able to handle 2 sets of twins, especially a set that is not as easy as your others. I can barely deal with the 2 I have, my 5 yr old has really been acting out for attention, regardless if she's getting it or not. Thank you for your help, I truly appreciate it!
I really don't want to stop breastfeeding but a w/my first daughter, my milk dried up quick (it dried after 3 weeks w/her & she would willinglt nurse). Since my second was jaundice they kept her in NICU & supplemented her, which made her less interested in nursing. Now, my milkflow is almost nonexistent & I'm not sure I can get it back (& wouldn't know how to). I feel like I'm alone in this & I'm stressed & exhausted. She prefers my husband at night & gives me a very hard time until he wakes & takes her, by that time, I'm close to tears as well...
I admire you for being able to handle 2 sets of twins, especially a set that is not as easy as your others. I can barely deal with the 2 I have, my 5 yr old has really been acting out for attention, regardless if she's getting it or not. Thank you for your help, I truly appreciate it!
Well, her face looks awful now... her pediatrician suggested hydrocortisone cream & if there's no improvement by next week to let him know. I feel bad b/c it seems like something's always wrong. She was jaundice at birth, came home w/thrush, had to switch her formulas b/c she seemed colicky & was extremely gassy & fussy & wasn't responding well to the milk-based formulas. Now, this rash... I feel bad b/c I can't comfort her when I'm not sure what's wrong. I don't produce enough milk & she gets frustrated & I give her a bottle. My milk dried up at 3 weeks with my first daughter (she's 5). I'm just scared b/c all this is new to me since I never had any problems w/my first - we only went to the Dr when it was time for shots or a check up, now I feel like I'm calling/going all the time. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question...
Well, her face looks awful now... her pediatrician suggested hydrocortisone cream & if there's no improvement by next week to let him know. I feel bad b/c it seems like something's always wrong. She was jaundice at birth, came home w/thrush, had to switch her formulas b/c she seemed colicky & was extremely gassy & fussy & wasn't responding well to the milk-based formulas. Now, this rash... I feel bad b/c I can't comfort her when I'm not sure what's wrong. I don't produce enough milk & she gets frustrated & I give her a bottle. My milk dried up at 3 weeks with my first daughter (she's 5). I'm just scared b/c all this is new to me since I never had any problems w/my first - we only went to the Dr when it was time for shots or a check up, now I feel like I'm calling/going all the time. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question...
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