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

[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.

[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

[LimeSlice]

baby wash - you dont need it. A few drops of olive oil and later essential oil will be sufficient. The purpose of the washes/soaps is not actually to clean the skin, but to allow the dead skin and impurities to come off when rubbed with a cloth. Without a softening agent in the water when you rub you will rub of 'good' skin. The oil provides the necessary lubrication in the water to allow the rubbing to remove the dead or surface cells without drying iritating or removing the new skin cells.
You also dont need to worry about the mountain of chemicals in the washes - which if you read what is actually in them is disgusting

body moisturiser - a plain sorbolene should be fine for this, or again, oil. Again be careful of commercial products as they often contain propelyne glycol which is actually an artificial moisture retention chemical, and will actually have negative effects on the skin.

nappy rash cream - moogoo or calendula ointment you can get form any good health food shop. Tinderbox brand is fabulous and it is all natural and safe. Great for masses of things too. check out he moogoo website for their stockists or you can order online - these are both also safe for use with cloth nappies.

barrier cream for bum - dont need it unless you have a very rashy baby or use disposables. Again though I would simply use the calendula as the constant use is actually beneficial, and there is no build up or retention in the body of chemicals or heavy metals.

talc - NASTY STUFF!! Steer clear of it, it is completely unnecessary. Has been linked to fertility issues in women later in life (the grains have actually been found blocking fallopian tubes). It also actually fosters bacteria - moisture + heat + habitat = bacterial growth

baby panadol - use sparingly!! Very nasty again, especially when taken into consideration the natural alternatives available. Essential oils, rubs and vaporisers, BRAUERS products cover most ailments as well and are again all natural homepathic remedies. The oldies are goodies, so check up on Grandma Wisdom for most baby ailments.


HTH

[farmgirl77]

Hello everyone,

Thanks so much for the responses, it is great to find out that I dont need to be using much - it is very overwhelming - and expensive! Thanks for all the suggestions on the products to use as well - gives me a great start - I love the thought of the moogoo!

It is a worry to read all the issues with J&J - you would think that they should be more responsible!

FG

[MantaRay]

I used Gaia too. You can use the Gaia skin lotion as a nappy cream also, but you might need something extra for very bad nappy rash. We also used baby panadol.

I never used talc and I don't recommend it.

[Curly]

Just wanted to post that I have bizarre children who get skin irritations and eczema from natural products (Gaia, Miessence and Moogoo are prime candidates here) and nappy rash from zinc creams.

I know, I don't get it either. Miessence and Moogoo work fabulously on my own skin.

So I use Cetaphil and Aveeno bodywash and moisturiser (from the chemist) and J&J shampoo . I searched high and low for a no-tears shampoo that wasn't J&J that would stop DS scratching like a dog with fleas. No luck, spent a fortune.

But for bottoms the only thing that reliably worked was Aromababy Barrier Balm. Gorgeous stuff and satisfies my eco sensibilities somewhat!

[alioops]

- 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!

Just quickly, CT's are cloth hun. I suspect you were meaning Nature Babycare ETA: or Baby Love Ecobots? :end ETA:

FG, I use the eco store stuff on the older 2 but for our NB I will be just using warm water until she is crawling and actually getting dirty enough to warrant using a body wash

You should always have some baby paracetamol on hand from 1 month, and baby ibuprofen from 3 months (they can be used together, and the baby ibuprofens dont stain cloth nappies like baby paracetamol). Some wind drops may be useful, but I often found that cycling my babies legs got rid of any wind in no time. Baby gymnastics is great for gas.

If you can find a chemist that does lignocaine gel for teething (over the counter) that is the stuff the dentists use. The dentist warned me against bonjella and a few other similar ones.

I use the aromababy on Em's nappy area after she has recently finished a reaction nappy rash (she reacts to lactose, and only responds with hydrocortizone) but I have some moogoo full cream for the other 2 when needed.

Flannels and water are the best for wipes, but if you prefer to throw them away, nature babycare do some good ones.

That's all I can think of for now, and we are on a low budget so that stuff is in the lower price range, or is used very sparingly, otherwise I would be using the miessence.

[Bathsheba]

This thread has lots of excellent advice! I also only used the bare minimum on my children... by the time my third child came along I was so over all the gimmicky stuff and basically just stuck to:

Ego and MooGoo products... the occasionaly cornflour talc... a drop of lavender essential oil (make sure it's the real thing, not a synthetic "fragrant oil".

I totally agree with avoiding nasty Johnson & Johnson products... ugh!!!! even the so-called "natural/organic range of J&J" it's just the same old stuff with a token amount of essential oil

MiEssence have a new range of baby products which i haven't tried but I trust MiEssence as a brand.

[MummyNaomi]

Lucas Paw Paw ointment - avail from Target for $4.99 (or chemists) has fixed Baileys dry skin, he had a really dry forehead for the first few weeks

[PinkPalace]

Well i use j&j products. i have had no problem with them, moisturers , bath wash.

Bongela i keep it has been wonderful during teething (but you will have a little while until that anyhow).

I keep talc (you find they dont contain aluminium now) and use it during summer to prevent heat rash and excess sweating in bubs (esp if you have no air con or in a hot area).

Panadol and nurofen i have - but note the use by date - esp if you are keeping for when bub is older - you may want to buy later down the track.

I got by for 2 years without a thermometer. i just felt bub to know they have a temp - otherwise a $10 one will do the trick.

Some sorbolene cream for cradle cap.

mmmmmm

i also use zinc cream for nappy rash or bepanthen.
i have paw paw too (simmons) but find it is ok for mild rash but doesnt do the trick for dreadful rash.

HTH

[berrme]

I second not really needing a thermometer. I have a cheap digital one, but have always been able to tell when DS has a temperature with my hand.