We get a lot of customers who have researched the best diapers and wipes brands for keeping rashes away. Every now and then a customer will write to us to say their baby has still developed a rash while using diapers for sensitive skin. 

One possible cause that is often overlooked is the acidity of baby’s poop.

What Makes a Baby's Poop Acidic?

A baby’s poop becomes acidic when its pH level drops below the neutral range.

This acidity can be caused by the foods the baby consumes, as well as factors related to the baby's diet and digestion. 

Unfortunately, acidic poop can lead to painful diaper rashes for your baby. 

What Causes Acidic Poop in Breastfed Babies?

For breastfed babies, acidic poop is usually due to lactose overload although some theories also suggest that the mother’s diet can be partially responsible. 

Lactose overload occurs when babies consume more breast milk than they can digest, leading to a build-up of lactose in the bowel.  

This can cause the stool to become more acidic as the lactose is fermented by bacteria, creating gas and acidic stools.

Excessive consumption of coffee spicy foods by the mother may contribute to more acidic stools in the baby, and some people even go further thinking that any foods high in acidity could be affecting their breast milk.

What Causes Acidic Poop in Formula-Fed Babies?

Formula-fed babies may experience acidic poop due to the ingredients in their formula. Some formulas are harder for babies to digest, leading to acidic stool. 

What Foods Causes Acidic Poop 

Once your baby starts eating solids, introducing certain foods in the infant's diet can also contribute to acidic poops.

These foods include:

• Strawberries
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Grapes
• Tomatoes
• Pineapple
• Raisins

What Causes a Toddler to Have Acidic Poop?

As toddlers begin to eat a wider range of solid foods, their stool acidity may be affected by their diet. 

Foods listed above such as strawberries, citrus fruits, grapes, tomatoes, and raisins are known to cause acidic stool in toddlers.

If toddlers are consuming a high amount of these foods or drinking acidic beverages, it can result in more acidic stools. 

What Does Acidic Poop Look Like?

Acidic poop can appear as very soft or even liquid stools, often accompanied by a foul odor. It may also be slightly green or yellow in color, depending on the cause of the acidity.

In some cases, the stool may contain undigested food particles, as the body struggles to break down certain substances due to the imbalance in the digestive system. 

What Does Acidic Poop Diaper Rash Look Like?

To identify whether it is acidic poop diaper rash you can look to see exactly where the rash is occurring. If the rash doesn’t affect skin folds or creases (where stools are not in contact with skin) then this is usually a sign of an acidic poop diaper rash.

The skin may appear raw or tender. This type of rash can be more persistent, even when using high-quality diapers and wipes, as the acidity in the stool continues to irritate the delicate skin.

If you’ve been searching for allergy certified diapers that are gentle on your baby’s skin, Joonya’s Danish made, ultra comfortable and super absorbent sustainable diapers are a great option. 

How to Stop Acidic Poop in Babies

To rule out acidic poop as a cause of rash, a diet journal should be kept where you monitor what is being fed to your baby and observe any changes in their poop.

For breastfed babies, consider tracking what the mother eats to identify any acidic foods that may be affecting the baby’s stool. In cases of lactose overload in breastfed babies, it’s essential to ensure that the baby is not overfeeding. Consider reading up on lactose overload on trusted websites like the Australian Breastfeeding Association. 

For formula-fed babies, switching to a gentler formula or adjusting feeding schedules may help reduce acidity.

For toddlers, reducing acidic foods and ensuring proper hydration can also alleviate the problem.

If all of the above can be ruled out, and you’ve been changing diapers quickly after poops yet rash persists for unknown reasons, consult a doctor for expert advice on what to do next.