What lotions, potions and 'medical stuff'?

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!

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 :)

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

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!

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.

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.

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 ;)

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!!

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.

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)

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!

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

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!

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!

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....

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

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.

Firstly :dance: I am sooooooo excited to see this (sorry - very behind the times :redface:) 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 :dunno:
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 :hug:

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 :)

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

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.

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.:dunno: 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 :redface:. 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!

:

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- 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.

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 :rolleyes:

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

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

Wow awesome thread , lots of useful info especially for first timers.

Just wondering how do you ask for people to NOT buy you J&J stuff and convert to a different product like Gaia for example? do you create a wish list of sorts with a small request at the bottom?

Nae x

I have just quickly skimmed through what the others ladies have said - great suggestions of course !

Just wanted to add incase it hasnt been mentioned ;)
Baby Panadol/Paracetemol - can only be used from 4 weeks of age ( just incase you werent aware )
Also i am not sure if you know what sex you are having but my neice had a little girl a few months ago and the hospital told her not to use powder - they dont recommend it for little girls because it has been linked back to cervical cancer. So it may be best to avoid that just incase.

I have always loved lotions and potions but DS#1 and DS#2 had ezcema so they had basically Sorbolene and QV products from the chemist used on them. For some reason DS#3 hasnt had any skin issues - yet !

Good luck with it all -

xxoo

Just bumping this up

We had cornstarch powder, instead of talc. Talc is evil!

QV lotion - Claire gets dry skin and QV doesnt have all the purfumes and other additives that can make irritations worse.

Bum cream - she gets bad nappy rash sometimes. But if its really bad, we just let her go nappy-less for a bit. I used to let her go nappy-less when she was really little too, just put a towel under her bum.

Gaia wash. We use it because she has always loved bubbles.

Brauer products. We've used the teething one and it worked really well for our little girl.

Homebrand sorbelene creme has become my new favourite moisturiser - Bailey has the most beautiful skin because of it. I also like the GAIA baby moisturiser, the lavender smell is yummy and if definately helps with the sleep routine

With the moo goo - which cream is the best one for nappy rash? Is it the full cream udder cream or the MSM soothing cream? I have just been checking out their website and am not sure which cream is the one everybody uses.

Also, I want to get a cream for my body/belly and am thinking the skin milk by moogoo would be good? Or should I go the full cream version? Would either of these be suitable for my face too? TIA

thermometer- a cheap digital is fine for the first few months and tends to be more accurate than a tympanic when their ears are soo tiny, but as they get older they squirm so then invest in a good tympanic, I have seen some new forehead scanners but Im not sure how accurate they are

we use gaia products, cetaphil is a good gentle cleanser that I use and can be used or bubs

Panadol- I would buy so I have some there for later if needed but its not reccommended in the first 4 or is it 6 weeks (if baby has a temp or you think they need panadol at this age you really should have them seen by a doctor or take them to the local emergency hospital)

talc- dont get it, you dont need it and it has been reported to be 'possibly' carcinogenic so why risk it

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

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.

Feeling by hand is not actually that accurate - I know I have felt my kids before and thought for sure that they had a temp, only to check it with a thermometer and it is normal. If you are going to give medicine to lower a temp, you should always check first with a thermometer to make sure they are actually running a fever.

To be technical. Reducing a fever is not always necessary.
I find that if the fever is uncomfortable and high enough to require pharmacetual measures then touch is all i need.

you will get to know your child over time
xx

My husband's side of the family has history of eczema so DD has only used QV wash, QV moisturiser and Gaia baby shampoo. Sudocrem gave her real bad nappy rash. Tried pawpaw cream and it has worked wonders.