What lotions, potions and 'medical stuff'?

[farmgirl77]

Hello all,
I need some advice on what 'stuff' I need to have on hand in terms of babywash, nappy barrier creams, medical supplies for when baby arrives! I'm so confused at the moment!

I dont want to purchase anything with sodium laural sulphate in it (my skin hates it so I figure Tex's will too), so I need suggestions on good stuff that wont harm baby, but I also need advice on what I actually need...

My list is something like this so far...
baby wash
body moisturiser
nappy rash cream (?)
barrier cream for bum (?)
talc ????? (I really dont want to use unless I have too - how do you know if you need to use it?)
baby panadol

What am I missing? What dont I need? And what brands should I be looking for?

Any and all advice much appreciated!

[Arimeh]

Ok I use Gaia products for their bath. Or if I'm out, I use a sorbolene body wash that we buy in a huge bottle, and because its just sorbolene, its very gentle to their skin - well, I've never had an issue.

I use moogoo (google it) for their bum cream, it is absolutely awesome and totally natural, made from cows milk. Main reason we use it though is because its ok to use with cloth nappies - so we can't really use anything else unless we use liners, and we're too lazy to do that so we just whack on the moogoo.... lol

We don't use talc but if we did I would use the gaia one. its not as nasty.

Panadol - yup got that. We just use the chemist's own brand, cheaper and the same stuff. Try to get one with a syringe, not a dropper, cos its easier to measure out.

Ummmm... I also recommend something for wind, cos you don't want to be in the middle of the night with a screaming baby with wind and have nothing for it. Brauers range is really good for that too

[Doodlebug]

Hi,

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to 'plug' a company, but my friend has recently started a business sourcing all organic, chemical friendly and bpa free baby/toddler products.

Even if you don't buy anything from here it will give you a starting point on what to look for.

If I'm not supposed to list other peoples websites can mods please remove this?

Thanks

[suse]

I use either Gaia, or Alchemy wash stuff - although I used mostly warm water only for about the first six months, and only used a cleanser if he was really filthy. It's better for the skin as it disrupts the natural oil balance less, and means that you won't have to use moisturiser. I personally am of the school of thought that advocates least intervention when it comes to baby's skin - if you use only warm water to wash with, you are less likely to require anything else.

I use moo-goo as well as a general bum moisturiser - the skin milk. A lot of people swear by the MSM cream for nappy rash, which has been developed for people with eczema and dermatitis and contains organic sulphur. My DS reacts to either the sulphur or to the synthetic fragrance used in the MSM cream so we can't use it (to the best of my knowledge it is the only moo-goo product to use a synthetic fragrance, it has been specifically chosen as a low allergenic fragrance for sensitive skin - essential oils can be irritating to extremely sensitive or damaged skin).

Moo-goo is not actually a barrier cream though, it is absorbed, but many people find it just as effective because it helps to prevent nappy rash.

For actual barrier creams: Paw paw salve (the Simmons or black packaged Lucas brands are petrochemical free, the red Lucas salve has a petrochemical base) works well, as does generic zinc & castor oil cream from the chemist. Zinc is a highly effective barrier, but if you prefer something that is not mineral based, lanolin is also very effective. Sunspirit do an excellent lanolin based calendula salve (calendula is excellent for nappy rash), or you can use generic anhydrous lanolin from the chemist (which is what Lanisoh is, but about a 1/4 of the price).

It's recommended not to use powders on newborns, the particles can be inhaled and irritate the lungs. Some people find that they contribute to nappy rash by caking on the skin, although others find them effective for nappy rash. Additionally, the mineral talc has been linked to cervical cancers in women, so if you do want to use a powder, it's best to use a cornstarch based powder. I make my own (for myself) by combining seven parts organic cornflour to one part china clay with a small amount of essential oils. You can do the same for a child's powder, using only cornstarch, and fragrance with a drop or two of chamomile oil.

HTH!

[childondaway]

I have Gaia products to use in bath (shampoo, baby wash etc)

Aromababy Barrier Balm I have been told is really good and I have the Aromababy nappy cream in the tube also.

[berrme]

I bought all sorts of products before I had DS1 and most of them are still sitting in a basket in his room.

I agree with Suse in regards to minimal product use. I rarely used any wash or shampoo, just warm water, and as a result didn't need body lotions. I used alot of QV cream as DS1 had eczema on his cheeks but the rest of him got little attention. I also found sorbolene was good to remove cradle cap but I think olive oil is supposed to do the same thing. I used zinc cream for nappy rash.
Don't bother with talc, just dry them properly. I did use curash powder when he was bigger and we went to Cairns and he got terrible heat rash. Worked wonders, but it isn't something you would need for a tiny baby.
Definietly get paracetamol! and as Arimeh said, go the syringe.

[Lolli]

I use cornflour talc (any thing 'wet' or oily just makes the nappy rash worse). And that's it. My ds's skin is so sensitve we can't use wash, cream, even shampoo in winter (that's when his exzema flares up) so i don't bother with it the rest of the year. We did use sorbelene when he was born because his skin was so dry and peely, but nothing else.

Keep it really simple and save your $$. If you're having a baby shower (or even if your not) people will give you heaps of it anyway- I have a good couple of years worth of body washes and body creams for me because ds can't use them and i wouldn't want themto go to waste

[Muffy]

I have been told not to use johnsons..... also i have had bad experienes both times, both bubs ended up with REALLY dry skin.
So i have just started using the new baby range from the body shop - i love it its fantastic.

Arimeh has made an excellent list!!

[Megan]

So far we have used nothing on DS and he is almost 8 weeks. No need to and I dont want to dry his skin out as it can mess with the balance of natural oils.
We use MCN's, so moogoo is our bum cream of choice but so far he has had no redness. I havent used powder yet, but I have some organic powder that I may use later.
We were given so many lotions and potions as presents before and after he was born that I'm glad we didn't buy anything extra.

[lilima]

I really like the Gaia products. I have some here FG - I will give you some of them when I see you next. I also use QV as J has eczema, so I use that on him. Generally I just was E with plain water.
I don't use talc. I also use paw paw vream for a barrier cream, but if you are going to use cloth, you may have to post in there about whic barrier creams you can use.
Yep - some sort of paracetamol is a must. DH will give you some spare syringes when we see you next, oh and I will also get him to get you some saline. Great for sticky eyes. (as is breastmilk)

[AliBaby]

I had a similar thread going when I was pregnant as I like to be organised.

We had our fair share of skin probs with DD and now keep it very simple:

Bath- QV bath oil (we dont shampoo her hair, it justs gets a rinse in the bath daily with the QV bah oil.
Barrier cream- bepanthen works for us (no nappy rash)
Moisturiser- plain sorborlene
Talc- we dont use it (not so good for girls apparently)
Medicinal- we have baby panadol on hand with syringes and also some infacol wind drops (we havent used yet butgood to have)
Other items: J&J cotton buds for baby (you know with the funny round thing on the end), We used these to clean around DD's umbilical chord stump with plain water.

Also if you have a baby shower, try and politely tell your guests not to buy J&J bath products, etc as people just seem to buy this as a standard gift thinking that you always need it when it is crap! I got about 8 bottles of the stuff. Selling it on ebay now!

[BellyBelly]

This thread was started about the bonjella warning but have a read about J&J products, there are loads of threads on not using J&J, most toxic baby products, they are petrochemical/petroleum product based.

http://forums.bellybelly.com.au/foru...a-warning.html

[Inanna]

Yes I agree about the J & J thing. I have never used any of their products for any of my babies.

I too used Gai - and there is a store on the sunshine coast in Qld called Eco Child - all of their products are certified organic and are just sensational.

They have a product called " Bottom Balm" that is wonderful for nappy rash - they also have the moo goo...

I would get some homeopathic remedies for colic - all babies have a transition with the beginning of digestion and these can really help.

I would hold back on the panadol - but it's handy to have in older babies if there is a fever.

Cotton tips, cotton balls, loads of cloths to wipe up up chucks!, restful music to soothe baby to sleep, Mamas arms, Mamas boobies!

[Winter]

Woolies stocks a New Zealand brand called "Eco Store" - they have no nasty chemicals, smell like lavender and feel great on bubs skin.

For everyday bum cleaning, I use pump pack sorbolene and reusable terry toweling wipes that I wash with the nappies.

For bum cream, I use a WA brand called "Nappy Mate" that was developed by the childrens hospital here in Perth - Princess Margret. I put it on with a trowel, well almost , but its super thick and protects sensitive skin.

I use cloth nappies and I made liners out of micro polar fleece that I also wash & reuse.

Baby Panadol, a thermometre, Daktozin fungal cream are my other must haves. Saves going out for them when bub needs them.

Oh and I use the J&J stuff people gave me as hand wash for me. You wash your hands a million times a day with a newborn so I would rather use it on me than on DD's sensitive skin!

[Lulu]

I used nothing but warm water and olive oil in the first few weeks.
Did my own powder by putting cornflour in a shaker, I do like to make sure the little folds are dry (back of neck, under arms etc).
Body Shop products after that.
Zinc and castor oil cream from supermarket for sore bums - you can't go past zinc for healing, although I'm not sure if its any good if you are using cloth nappies.

I got cranky with Gaia cos I wasn't going to pay $8 for cornflour with a drop of lavender in it, you can do that yourself at home....

[JellyBean]

I agree with alot of what the ladies above have said.

Babies really don't need all the stuff that is marketed for them. Clean warm water is good enough to wash a newborn in most cases.
Definitely avoid heavily commercialised brands like J&J's like the plague - they are indeed very toxic, and some of the ingredients used in them are listed carcinogens (cancer causing) and are banned in overseas countries.
Miessence is by far the purest babycare range on the market, being certified organic, although it is not cheap (check it out in the bellybelly store).
Gaia is a more affordable brand which is free of the worst chemical toxins.
There are other brands such as Nature's Child, available online or in health food stores.

Here is an example of what is in my babycare range;
- Baby Wash (this is for hair & body- you don't need both): by Baby Organics.
- Bottom Balm, by Natures Child (this serves as both a barrier balm, nappy rash cream, moisturiser etc). I cannot say enough good things about this cream!!
- Baby Calm Oil - By Cherub Rubs. (Certified Organic massage oil to 'calm & soothe irritable cherubs!'
- We use reusable cloth wipes for baby's bottom, but nature babycare does a less toxic variety (avail in big supermarkets), otherwise health food stores sell chemical-free varieties.
- I have the Miessence 'Talc-free' powder (talc is toxic in itself)- but I use it very sparingly. Better just to let baby's bottom to air and dry naturally.
- Brauers Colic Relief (Natural Homeopathic remedy avail from chemists)
- Baby Probiotics ('Friendly' digestive bacteria, received via breastmilk, but diminshed through exposure to antibiotics, chemical additives present in breastmilk etc). Can be bought at Health Food stores and selected pharamcies - needs to be kept in fridge.
- Natural Homeopathic remedies for teething, colds & immunity to specific viruses (chicken pox, whooping cough etc) - avail from a registered Homeopath/Naturopath. Some health food stores & chemists may sell the homeopathic teething remedies as they are more generic.
- Eco-friendly chemical-free washing powder, whitener, and fabric softener. Harsh chemicals in conventional washing detergents etc can cause bubs skin to become irritated.
- If you are going to use disposable nappies, I recommend going for a chlorine & bleach-free brand such as Nature Babycare, Cushie Tushies, Moltex Eco etc. These chemicals (amoung many others used in conventional commercialised brands), can irritate babies skin, not to mention are just plain toxic to us & the environment!

We do not use pharmaceutical medication of any kind on our bub, but that is your personal choice. I generally stay away from supermarket brands as they are full of harsh chemicals, and shop for bub at health food stores, eco-friendly outlets etc.

Hope this helps.

XX

[sweetpea678]

I use alpa-keri oil in the bath, which keeps skin soft etc, and a Zinc and castaoil cream only if and when her bum gets red. Also have panadol and rose water for wind.

[Michelle71]

Firstly I am sooooooo excited to see this (sorry - very behind the times ) As for the products - I am a minimalist in most of them.

baby wash - water for DD (5m), QV bath oil and bath wash for DS 2yo (and DD now if they share a bath) because he has some small excema areas

body moisturiser - mostly none. QV moisturiser for DS, Aromababy moisturiser for DS and DD and Aromababy massage oil as well (so then they don't need moisturising)

nappy rash cream - mostly nothing. Sudocream for DS's nappy rash with teething, Lucas's pawpaw ointment for DD. Also Aromababy barrier cream is really good!! Now we are back using cloth full time I may need to branch into moogoo or use liners
barrier cream for bum - often nothing. Occasionally bepanthen. Aromababy - has calendula for healing. I use it on their excema spots too.

talc - nope. Don't use it.

baby panadol - yep, but it can be any brand of paracetamol and then I have nurofen for when they are older. DD (5m) has only just had nurofen (ibuprofen)

Wishing you a wonderful birth and a healthy new addition