I am making a list of every little thing we could possibly need for baby, sorting into priorities and trying to find the kost natural and green options for each item. I have done really well so far, even finding some 100% natural and biodegradable disposables for while we try out different cloth nappies.
But I am now stuck on the question of bum creams for baby. Does she really need a barrier cream? I dont like the idea of them to be honest, and would rather find a nice natural, organic, etc etc alternative that helps prevent nappy rash. I dont want to put any chemicals on her skin if its not necassary.
hi,congrats,i didnt like using creams either but sometimes needs must,all mine are out of nappies now but i still buy waitrose’s baby bum butter use it for everything,even wind chapped face cream for me,cheap and no nasties x
I was completely into making lists beforehand, but realised afterwards in fact I needed very little. My other half is old school and insisted we bath babes in only water for ages and ages. Six months..plus? and didn’t use creams unless she was sore. Realised afterwards he was right (he has brought up two little ones already they are now grown up). Don’t be afraid to be very simple in your approach. It was one of those things that if I had known it might have saved me a lot of hassle.
Egg white is very good if sore as a barrier. Clean with warm water, dry (blow on it if necessary) put egg white on and leave to dry.
(Unless you’re vegan, of course). Oil and sugar mixture for cradle cap and wash off.
best
w.w.
no need for creams and the such. i find that wetwipes are also not nessacary. i have a stash of muslins and just use water. i do have some weleda nappy cream amazing stuff use it on all sore skin including my spots and scraps on the older kids. its expensive but a tube usually lasts me at least 6 months. look into reusable sanitary wear too. feels so much better post partum, is better fro the environment and much cheaper int he long run. i also have a pile of flat terry nappies which are great for all sorts of spills and mop ups. great for using as a changing surface when there is lots of poo. i would concider looking at good water bottle for yourself. i have just bought a camelbak one that has a staw lid set up as dehydration is my enemy !!!!!!!!!!! if i knock this over it does not spill and i can drink from it when i am in all sorts of poitions.
I remember when my girls were babies (17 and 14 now…HOW???? lol) there was either cotton wool or horrible chemical wetwipes. I hadn’t thought of using muslin squares - although I did find some organic and degradable cotton wool wipes…I think muslin would be even better!
Weleda nappy cream, is that the Calendula one? Looks good Though I love the sound of baby bum butter too!
I know what you mean wonderwoman about lists…its mainly for my other half really as he likes to be super organised, but its amazing…when I sort it into “essential” (nappies, somewhere to sleep etc) and “would like” (changing station, breast pump etc) the difference in numbers of items is huge…and probably hundreds of pounds! Its definitely a good exercise if only for that, and its keeping me busy while im still signed off work lol
I hardly ever use any cream on my babies bums but have found green people soothe and calm excellent when it is needed. Also definitely recommend that, whatever you decide on cloth/disposable nappies, use cloth wipes and water rather than bought chemical ones. Apart from the environmental issues they work better. I have bought them from nappy sellers (a mixture of flannelette and towelling ones) but you could make your own. Personally I’d find muslins too large, unless you cut them up but then you’d need to sew them - which I did do with an old pair of pyjamas but it took ages!
What disposables have you found that are 100% natural and degradable? I didn’t think such a thing existed! I’m familiar with nature baby, Bambo and Moltex and none of them are fully biodgradeable. We have had extensive discussions on here about which one is the most environmentally friendly but never come to a conclusion and there doesn’t seem to be any independent advice out there to help.
I only used water and olive oil (as both had dry skin) on my babies ‘til they were around 6mths i think; i did start using a little bit of organic shampoo sooner on my daughter about once a week though as she had loads of hair. As for nappy creams I use it only when they are very sore and plain moisturising hasn’t helped, I use the Weleda one - it’s amazing stuff!
I used egg white too, it really is amazing - but you need to use it at the first hint of a nappy rash and it within an hour or so it will be gone. It will help awful nappy rash too; but it’s not as miraculous.
Rye is 3 and I only tend to shampoo his hair once a month, fi that; rest of the time, wet with a flannel and give his scalp a scrub. I’ve just bought some organic baby bubble bath from the ethical superstore (although, I don’t recommend them as so many people on here have had problems, although my order was ok…well, they gave me 24 rolls of baking parchment but I guess it will get used up agt some point.. perhaps by the grandkids? lol). The shampoo I use is the halo and horns stuff you can get just about anywhere; I bought a couple of tubes when on special offer in Morrisons..ohhh gosh, about year and half, two years ago.
I’m not that big a fan of the fake scents either.. much prefer sniffing my gorgeous boy’s own scent when having a cuddle
And if you’re not looked into it.. I thoroughly, thoroughly recommend a stretch wrap to carry the baby in.. don’t bother with prams and suchlike.
just water with mine and only weleda bum cream if a rash comes, we call it “the magic cream” cause it really works fast, never really had a problem with nappy rash
What disposables have you found that are 100% natural and degradable? I didn’t think such a thing existed! I’m familiar with nature baby, Bambo and Moltex and none of them are fully biodgradeable. We have had extensive discussions on here about which one is the most environmentally friendly but never come to a conclusion and there doesn’t seem to be any independent advice out there to help.
Asdas do a brand called Go-Eco….the description says “100% biodegradable backsheet. Contains some natural super absorbent particles. Made with over 60% natural materials. “ I’m wondering now if thats mis-leading as it only says the back sheet is 100%? More research needed me thinks, but atleast its better than the usual nappies for emergencies as we get used to cloth nappies
beth - 26 February 2010 02:08 PM
Hi,
tell u what - pm me and i’ll send you our Baby’s Bottom Balm - see what u think yourself!
Thank you, I will do that! I really appreciate it
Sephora - 26 February 2010 02:59 PM
I only used water and olive oil (as both had dry skin) on my babies ‘til they were around 6mths i think; i did start using a little bit of organic shampoo sooner on my daughter about once a week though as she had loads of hair. As for nappy creams I use it only when they are very sore and plain moisturising hasn’t helped, I use the Weleda one - it’s amazing stuff!
That sounds like exactly what i’m aiming for…just to use water and something natural to keep ehr skin nice and clean and soft without the chemicals, and then something for IF she gets nappy rash…thanks to all the brilliant advice in this thread I will do it!
Joxy - 26 February 2010 03:27 PM
And if you’re not looked into it.. I thoroughly, thoroughly recommend a stretch wrap to carry the baby in.. don’t bother with prams and suchlike.
Joxy.
I am getting a 3 wheeler/jogger pram so I can go jogging with baby twice a week, but I am also looking at making a sling for the rest of the time. I used slings with my girls and loved it!
I used water for wees and a mix of witch hazel and sesame oil for poos, all on old flannels or cloths. Saved me a fortune, no landfill waste and no nasty chemicals.
no rashes or problems either - ever!
Asdas do a brand called Go-Eco….the description says “100% biodegradable backsheet. Contains some natural super absorbent particles. Made with over 60% natural materials. “ I’m wondering now if thats mis-leading as it only says the back sheet is 100%? More research needed me thinks, but atleast its better than the usual nappies for emergencies as we get used to cloth nappies
beth - 26 February 2010 02:08 PM
Hi,
Hi, this is definitely misleading! As you have already spotted its only the backsheet that is biodegradeable and that is a very small fraction of the complete nappy. Personally I would avoid any supermarket own-brand eco nappies as, ime, they are particularly misleadding and untrustworthy and I think they are just jumping on the bandwagon but not really working very hard. If they cared about the environment all their own-brand stuff would be eco, rather than launching separate eco brands. The phrase ‘natural materials’ sounds particularly suspicous to me - when you think about it it doesn’t really mean anything. When we have used disposables we have always used Bambo, Moltex or Naturebaby all of which have some sort of independent eco certification.
In that case I’m glad I posted here! I’ll have a look at those ones you mentioned, thank you. I guess no nappy is going to be 100% right? Hopefully we will find the right cloth nappies for baby pretty quickly so wont have to use them atall
