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Well, warm weather is heading our way. With that I've found that diapers aren't nearly as comfortable in hot weather. Hmmm. Anyways I was wondering about tight fitting vs more loose and how it affects comfort. Mainly does tight fitting garments make rashes more likely. They do seem to be more uncomfortable than looser fitting diapers. Any thoughts and ideas on this dilemma?

I generally wear the same kinds of diapers year round: Abena M4 and ComfiDry 24/7. I agree that a diaper can be rather uncomfortable in hot weather, but I still need the protection. And I find that a diaper needs to fit snugly around the legs and waist to prevent leaks. I'm lucky in that I have become relatively immune to diaper rash after wearing a diaper 24/7 for so many years. As guardians against diaper rash, I keep my pubic hair closely trimmed and use baby wipes to clean myself thoroughly during each diaper change.

I generally wear the same kinds of diapers year round: Abena M4 and ComfiDry 24/7. I agree that a diaper can be rather uncomfortable in hot weather, but I still need the protection. And I find that a diaper needs to fit snugly around the legs and waist to prevent leaks. I'm lucky in that I have become relatively immune to diaper rash after wearing a diaper 24/7 for so many years. As guardians against diaper rash, I keep my pubic hair closely trimmed and use baby wipes to clean myself thoroughly during each diaper change.

In warm weather it is even more necessary to pay attention to hygiene and rash prevention. In addition to having shaved my nether parts, I wash at least twice a day and air out for an hour or more each day.

Although I use plastic-backed Dry 24/7 diapers as my primary diaper, I do try to work in at least one breathable diaper per day in hot weather, usually the Seni Quatro or the Seni Super Plus.

I normally apply coconut oil or diaper rash cream with zinc oxide as a preventative and do not wait for pre-rash irritation.

In really warm weather I can wear activity shorts with a built-in liner that eliminates the need for a onesie or compression pants as the liner provides the support. As the liner is only mesh it promotes circulation.

--John

When I first had to start wearing diapers 24/7 I had a lot of rashes too. I learned the hard way that you just have to use powder and change a little more often when you're sweating.

The diaper will absorb some sweat, but after a while they don't seem to work very good even if they otherwise have plenty of capacity left. This seems to be the case with all plastic backed diapers, though I now use confidry as well.

Also try to get some air time in as well, if you can. Like JD mentioned, keeping your hair down there trimmed or shaved will also help a lot (I only keep trimmed down there and it seems to work just as good for me, plus I don't have to worry about nicks and cuts).

Last year I was wearing Abena air plus diapers in the spring and early summer for my day time diaper before switching to Dry 24/7's 100% of the time. Yes the plastic backed dry 24/7 is a bit warmer to wear in the summer but I like the better protection I get with the dry 24/7's Vers cloth backed diapers.

As an alternative to tight garments such as compression pants in warm weather I am ordering a pair of diaper suspenders. In addition to daytime use, primarily with disposables, I also intend to use them with cloth diapers. After I have some time to try them out I will post my impressions.

--John

Hmmm... Never heard of "diaper suspenders". Where can I check them out. Sounds like they could be useful.

Diaper rash is my biggest fear and aggravation in hot weather. I shave twice each week, every 84 hours, Mondays when I wake up, and Thursdays at bedtime. I use soap and water at as many changes as possible, use zinc oxide and cornstarch powder at as many changes as possible, and restrict disposable use to times when I must travel.

Patrick, I used to get rashes a lot when I used zinc based ointments too (such as desitin original). After switching to a cream based lotion (desitin creamy) I have pretty well stayed cleared up.

I believe this is because the the ointments only form a barrier, while the creams actually absorb into the skin to heal it. It's just a theory, but you may want to try it out too.

For tougher rashes I will switch to using triple diaper cream. You need a prescription for this though, but it works wonders for also healing inflamed skin. I will also double up from just using regular baby powder to using zeasorb powder (which is over the counter). These two will knock out any rash I get in a matter of a day or two.