What lotions, potions and 'medical stuff'?

[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