What lotions, potions and 'medical stuff'?

[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.