new here, and i have some questions!

[veganfamily]

okay, in a nutshell,

we have two kids - 2 1/2, and 8 mo.

my last pregnancy is when we went raw like %90.... fell out of it at the end of the pregnancy - too many cravings! - but still vegan.

anyway - we live in minnesota, so on these days where its 5 degrees - you don't exactly crave oranges!

But, i have been feeling drawn back into it for a few different reasons.

My biggest one, is my 2 yr.old. He cannot get rid of this diaper rash!!!! Raised, red, and raw! The poor guy just whimpers and fights when we have to change him. We are using organic diapers, changing him often... but i want to know if getting him raw will stop this awful rash! He also has this perpetually runny nose.....

I saw somewhere else that someone asked if it seems as thought the tempermant of raw children is better than others... any thoughts? Do kids sleep better, seem less tired? My son will sleep 12 hours and seem groggy all day still...

I would love some input!

Thank you so much.... i really look forward to meeting you all!

Brandy

[Tweesason]

My son had the worst rash. He was in the hospital (3 months premmie) and they finally ended up using spray on band aid. It was the only thing that would work, and they tried everything including prescriptions. Sometimes kids are just overly sensitive. Now I don't know if the spray on bandaid is considered raw, but for us it was a lifesaver. The area just needs to stay dry so it can heal. If you don't want to do the spray then you might want to just let his bum hang out without the diaper.

[sport]

I am assuming that what you are saying is that you or the kids are not raw now and you need to know if going raw would help the diaper rash. Have I taken this up correctly.
Welcome to the board.

[oceanluv]

I know the kind of rash you mean, it is usually caused by yeast. The way we used to treat it was to use a thrush medication, but not sure about a more natural way. maybe yogurt?? Yeast definately loves moist, warm areas, so if at all possible, keep the diapers off, and maybe let him?her lay in a sunny window for several minutes every day. ( I know, it's winter, not much sun.) we also used to used just a regular lamp, to help dry out areas. ( I am a retired nurse, so the we I am refering to is the nurses I worked with. also the mother of 5, so did see my share of rashes, lol.)

[oceanluv]

hi again. just reread you post, the runny nose and rash could also be food allergies. most often dairy, wheat, eggs, etc. HTH. :)

[Purl]

I had a boy like that...when he was a baby he got a rash that actually *scarred* his little bottom! I tried EVERYTHING: herbs, ointments, different diapers, etc til finally one day I had him take his nap infront of a closed window that had the sun shining right in. I took his diaper off and positioned him with pillows so that it wasn't easy to move. I left him there for his whole nap, checking occ. to make sure the sun was still on him. After his 2 hour nap, he was CURED!

Now, about the nose-I have a 5 year old who has had a runny nose most of his life. The drs treated him for a sinus infection, then dust allergies, and told me that "the scientific eveidence would not support" that it was food allergies. I took him off wheat and dairy and VOILA! no more runny nose. He only gets a runny nose when he sneaks something at school that he's not supposed to have. It's pretty evident because less than 24 hours later he's got a runny nose-and all I have to do is ask "Abe-what did you eat at school yesterday?" and he always confesses! LOL!!!

[firefaery]

Food allergies would be my first thought. I don't know what he eats (or what you eat if you are still breastfeeding) It could also be yeast though. If you want to share what he typically eats I could probably help. The top triggers in terms of allergens are dairy, eggs, wheat (gluten), soy, citrus, chocolate, and strawberries. Because you mentioned a perpetually runny nose, I'd lean more towards allergies, but yeast breaks down the immune system leaving you susceptible to anything that comes down the pike. If he's just stuffy and not necessarily sick though- food allergies.

If it's yeast, calendula oil or colloidal silver sprayed on the area would help tremendously. Be sure to wash anything that comes into contact with his bottom (towels, washcloths, diapers etc.) in tea tree oil or vinegar to kill the yeast. It spreads very rapidly.

Leaving him diaper free would be quite beneficial as well. And a pp mentioned sun-great idea. The sun is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and great for rashes.

[veganfamily]

okay,

what he eats:

breakfast.... depends on the day....

organic cereal with rice/soy/or almond milk.... (whats on sale? )
toast on organic sprouted bread, or bananas, bananas ......

snack: oranges, apples, raisins, nuts, tings (chips made of corn/nut.yeast)
soy yogurt

lunch : a happy face made of eyes (two sandwiches) made from wheat english muffins with cashew butter and raw honey and a banana for a smile.
or avocado, mango, and raw sunflower seeds

dinner: usually a cooked meal ( because honestly, he has a hard enough time sleeping solidly - so we prefer that he have something more dense and heavy.... any thought/suggestions? )
-rice noodles/ rice/ quinoa/ steamed veggies and bread.

-no sugar, all organic produce, vegan, little processing
-we also supplement with flax oil and coconut oil

thats all i can think of for now.... we have been keeping his diaper off as much as possible - he's been pooping in the toilet - that has definately helped. But the boogers keep on a comin'!


please continue to give me your feedback!

thank you so much
Brandy

[firefaery]

Trouble sleeping can be a symptom of food allergies. You have some things in there that could cause problems, but alot of these times if allergies are a concern you end up chasing allergies instead of healing them.
If it were me I would take out soy and gluten and see if there was a difference. You can test for allergies in several different ways. You can also treat in many different ways. You can read up and see if you might think it's an issue. Sleep problems, congestion and rashes all point to the possibility. Other symptoms can be red ears or cheeks, diarrhea/constipation, food aversions/cravings, behavioral upsets and asthma. In the mean time, good luck with his bottom!