Being a new parent is overwhelming to say the least. There are so many things to remember, so much information to take in, and it can be hard to keep track. When you think about the hundreds of baths they’ll take, all the nappy changes they’ll endure, and the skin irritations they’ll suffer with as a result, it’s obvious that taking care of your baby's skin is an important part of parenthood. Most mums and dads will agree that natural ingredients are better for little ones as well as grown-ups, so we’ve put this guide together to help clean, protect, and care for your baby’s skin naturally.
Nappy changes
Babies’ nappies need changing regularly to keep your baby comfortable and to stay on top of any smells before they get out of hand! There are several ways of making changing time more eco-friendly. Firstly, try replacing wipes with plain water in a spray bottle, and washable cotton wipes. Oils are also great for cleaning babies’ bottoms. Try making a blend of castor oil, camellia seed oil and meadowfoam seed oil at home – it’ll leave your baby’s skin clean and soft!
Baby wipes are the most common choice for parents when it comes to nappy changes, and nothing can beat their practicality especially when you’re out and about. However, some can contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can irritate your baby’s delicate skin. We suggest using gentle, natural wipes such as Water Wipes – made with 99.9% purified water and a drop of grapefruit extract.The final step before putting on a new clean nappy is a nappy balm or cream. We’ve come up with a great, simple and natural nappy balm to help keep your baby’s skin protected.
RECIPE
15% Beeswax
48% Carrier Oils
35% Calendula Oil
1% Amaranth CO2 Extract
1% Vitamin E
METHOD
Simply melt the beeswax gently in a double boiler and add the vegetable oils. When fluid, take off the heat and let the mixture start to cool down. When it starts to go opaque, stir in the Vitamin E and CO2 Extract. Jar and label.
When it comes to nappies, seriously consider using washable nappies. Not only are they much more environmentally friendly, but they also work out to be much cheaper than their disposable counterparts, especially if you have more than one child in nappies at home.
Bath time
Newborns need bathing around two to three times a week, using warm rather than hot water in a tub filled no more than three inches high.
By now, most people are aware that a lot of soaps can be quite harsh even on adult skin. We recommend using a gentle wash such as Green People’s Organic Babies Baby Wash & Shampoo with lavender or Weleda Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash. Add a small amount of baby-friendly soap to the water. Once you've sat your little one in the tub, use a cup or bowl to scoop up water and gently pour it over your baby's shoulders and torso, as this will stop them from getting cold. Make sure you have a clean washcloth on hand to wash your baby's head and body. Softly massage baby shampoo into the scalp and wash clean with your washcloth. Use a moistened cotton ball to gently clean their face.
When lifting your baby out of the tub, use one hand to support their neck and head and put the other on his bottom, placing your fingers carefully around their thigh.Wrap them up so they’re cosy and warm in a soft towel and once they’re nice and dry, massage a baby lotion or oil blend into their skin to help prevent dryness and irritation.
Moisturise, massage, care & protect
The simplest thing to use for baby massage is pure organic coconut butter, it melts into the skin and absorbs slowly, allowing enough slip for a gentle massage and a great opportunity to bond with your baby. The following blend makes a massage oil that is high in Omega 6 (Gamma Linoleic Acid) which is vital to maintaining healthy skin.
If you’re interested in adding essential oils to your oil blends, be careful as most are not suitable for babies and children. Lavender, chamomile and mandarin can all be used safely in products for babies, but be sure not to use too much.
If your baby suffers with cradle cap, a common condition where the skin on the scalp gets dry and flaky, use a blend of oat oil and olive oil, massage it into your baby’s scalp and simply brush away the flakes that come off. Oat oil is very soothing and will help lock in moisture.
RECIPE
58% Evening Primrose Oil
40% Olive Oil
2% Vitamin E
METHOD
Simply blend the following ingredients together at room temperature, bottle and label. When your baby is fresh and dry after a bath, use gentle circular motions to rub the massage oil into the babies skin.
If you’re interested in learning more about making your own products for babies and children, consider taking a course on making natural skin care specially tailored for young and sensitive skin.
Thank you for your enquiry,
Please see the below response from our Research and Development Team;
“As she is so young, I would recommend that you ask your GP for help as it is a medical condition that we cannot offer “treatment” for."
My 4 month old daughter has an eczema on her elbows. It is dry and red. What would you recomment?