latex allergy question

[lolathechecker]

ok, so i just spet $400 on cloth diapers for my baby. i thought id help out the environment and save a couple bucks (they grow to fit kids up to 35lbs!) but i was just looking at what the diapers are made out of and the inner liner (which doesnt actually touch the baby) contains latex. its called PLU (poly-latex something or other) and now im worried that i just wasted a bunch of money. so what im wondering is: how allergic are most kids with sb? is it usually pretty severe? like to the point that latex on the inside of a diaper would irritate her? its the inside of the outer lining. it doesnt actually touch the skin, but im still worried.:confused: any insight?

[Michelle]

I could be wrong, but I think customarily the latex is "natural rubber latex" and there are other kinds...I think that are man made (like the ones in latex paint) and these don't usually pose a problem...but don't take my word because I'm not sure. You might try to google the type it is and see. Could you return them if you need to? Also, the Spina Bifida Assoc. website has info on it regarding latex allergy.

[Dodger67]

Well seeing as your baby is not yet born she is not allergic to latex.
Allergies are aquired, not congenital - nobody is ever born with an allergy. Kids with SB and other conditions requiring frequent internal exposure to latex surgical gloves (surgery and internal examinations) may or may not become allergic. There is no way to predict if she will ever develop a latex allergy. I didn't and neither did any of the other 5 kids with SB that were at school with me.
So don't worry about it - you'll deal with it if it happens.

[lolathechecker]

Well seeing as your baby is not yet born she is not allergic to latex.
Allergies are aquired, not congenital - nobody is ever born with an allergy. Kids with SB and other conditions requiring frequent internal exposure to latex surgical gloves (surgery and internal examinations) may or may not become allergic. There is no way to predict if she will ever develop a latex allergy. I didn't and neither did any of the other 5 kids with SB that were at school with me.
So don't worry about it - you'll deal with it if it happens.

thats my plan, i guess ill just see what happens and go from there. i guess maybe it would help if i told the doctors to use non-latex gloves, just to be safe?

[mommy2cnj]

thats my plan, i guess ill just see what happens and go from there. i guess maybe it would help if i told the doctors to use non-latex gloves, just to be safe?

Due to the babe having SB, normally, doctors tend to take the safe route and put the child on latex precautions. Basically, stay away from it, as Dodger said, because it's not something the babe is born with; it's something that she may/may not acquire.

Also, Michelle is correct in stating that there are different forms of latex....there's the natural rubber latex, as well as synthetic.
Myself, I can never tell which is which; therefore, I just tend to play it safe and we avoid any of it at all cost! Just what works best for us.

We tend to do a lot of letter writing to companies to inquire whether their product contains latex. We've even had some places send us back 'no' responses, and include coupons to try their product for free.

When in doubt, we tend to write a letter, call an 800# or avoid it all together.

[lolathechecker]

We tend to do a lot of letter writing to companies to inquire whether their product contains latex. We've even had some places send us back 'no' responses, and include coupons to try their product for free.

When in doubt, we tend to write a letter, call an 800# or avoid it all together.

hey free stuff! i'll have to try the 800 number on the package. maybe i'll get a sample!:D

[mommy2cnj]

I had to laugh when you said free stuff! Sounds like my significant other, here!

I had sent a letter to a diaper company, who'd replied with a coupon for a free package.....the diapers containing no latex *whew*!!

It turned out to be a great deal because the brand worked well.......no leaks, etc., that is until one of the kids decided they wanted to see mom REALLY work for her keep! *plugs nose* :D

There are truly a lot of companies who are willing to work with you regarding the latex issue. I've also, unfortunately, called companies that have been unable to tell me whether their product contains latex or not (more dollar store toy products than anything). However, it never hurts to make that call - especially when the call is free, too!! :D

[Dodger67]

Dollar toy store products almost all come from China - they sometimes contain worse substances than latex! LOL