Baby Lotion That Works

Most everyone that has a newborn knows about the peeling skin. And this last week the topic has come up on twitter, I’ve been e-mailed, and it’s come up in real life. So I thought to myself, “Hmm, self, maybe this should be a blog post one day!”.

You see, that crazy pink stuff from Johnson is absolutely horrible on babies skin. Most moms I know don’t use it because it actually makes babies skin worse! And no wonder really. The EWG’s Skin Deep database shows it ranks an 8 out of 10. With 10 being the worst for toxins. And it’s marketed for babies!! It actually contains ingredients known to cause cancer, reproductive problems, and allergies. Not something a baby’s brand new body needs to deal with in my opinion.

So you wanna know how I deal with it and keep my baby from shedding skin all over?

Coconut Oil!

I absolutely love to use coconut oil on skin. It’s all I’ve been using for the last year on my own skin (face included-it helps prevent free radicals) so I figured, why not use it on baby? I don’t have to worry about her eating a bunch of crazy chemicals when I put it on her hands, and absorption isn’t an issue either. Plus she smells super yummy for a little while after I apply it!

If you’ve never bought coconut oil, it’s actually a solid (like butter consistency) but has a melting point of 75 degrees. So once it’s on skin, it spreads really easily. And it doesn’t leave your skin oily like something like olive oil would. As an added benefit, if you choose unrefined virgin coconut oil, it’s full of beneficial nutrients! I happen to buy mine online at Mountain Rose Herbs because they have the best price I’ve seen (a gallon for $37.00!), plus it has a great flavor and scent as well.

And it usually helps my little newborns skin by just the second application, so this totally works for us!

Post Partum Herbal Sitz Bath

There are lots and lots of herbal sitz bath recipes on the web if you do a search for them. Some include only one herb, while others include a whole list of them. I decided to kind of make my own and use what I had on hand (or could easily get my hands on).

Here’s the “recipe” I used to make my post partum sitz baths.

1/2 gallon boiling water
1/2 cup sea salt (or epsom salt, but it doesn’t have the same healing properties)
1/2 cup comfrey leaves
1/4 cup uvi ursi leaves

Mix together and let sit, covered, for at least a few hours to steep. Basically what you’re doing is making a really strong herbal tea. Strain into a clean container and keep in the fridge, or freeze in Ziploc bags if you make it ahead.

It can be used in the bath after delivery: just pour a couple of cups into a warm bath and soak for at least 15 minutes. This is my favorite!! Not only do I get a few minutes of “me time”, it has really helped relax my sore muscles.

Can be used in a squirt bottle to use after going to the bathroom.

Can also be used to make “ice packs”. Just pour a bit onto panty liners and freeze. Then place over a regular pad to help ice your perineum. They don’t stay cold for long though. Oh, and they don’t freeze solid since it’s salt water.

Not only does this sitz bath help promote healing because of the herbs and sea salt, it does wonders for sore and achy muscles. And after hours of contractions, you’re muscles are gonna be sore!

I sure wish I had known about herbal baths after my first delivery, I think it would have made a world of difference in how I felt!

Crunchy Tuesday : Baby Products

Did you see baby products made it into the national news yesterday? If you haven’t heard, researchers are finding phthalates in baby lotions and soaps, which are then absorbed into the skin.

What are phthalates? Phthalates are synthetic chemicals found in many household items, including but not limited to; cosmetics, lotions that soak into the skin, shampoos, toys that babies chew on, fragrances and anything vinyl or pvc. They have been shown to have adverse effects on the growing baby’s reproductive system (especially for boys) endocrine system, and may contribute to allergies and eczema.

Problem is, manufacturers aren’t actually required to disclose if they use phthalates in their products. So how do you stay away from them? Try to use organic or natural soaps and lotions in which you can understand all the ingredients.(Personally I like homemade products) Or use conventional products very rarely. And remember too that these chemicals pass through from mom to the baby while pregnant and nursing.

Some other great links:
Here are two articles on the subject of babies and phthalates- click here and here.
*Plastics to avoid
*Safe bathtime fun