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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not use bath products MIL has brought for the new baby?

105 replies

MadYoungCatLady · 07/07/2011 12:14

It sounds a bit daft but please hear me out!

MIL-to-be has popped over today with bags of stuff for our new arrival, due at Christmas.

Its my 2nd DC, and I've decided to get on my high horse about bath products, especially those with SLS in. MIL has brought talc, baby wash, barrier cream, and 4 packs of wipes. I'm really touched by her gesture, she's obviously very excited about her new DGC! However, Ive looked the ingredients up, and the wash does contain SLS, and of course theres the advice against talc. DP knew I wanted to get natural stuff for DC, and he's obviously passed the message on because this particular brand (pretty common, but not the 'leading' brand) has on the front
"No harsh ingredients"

I really don't want to use it. DP does because his mum bought it. He seems quite offended that I've looked up the ingredients. I just want whats best for the baby, I dont want to offend anyone!

Its body wash ffs, not some keepsake we will keep for generations! I know when he baths baby he will use it. He will also keep tabs on it to make sure it doesn't get 'lost'.

AIBU?

OP posts:
alemci · 07/07/2011 13:16

could you use the talc yourselves or give it to someone else who will make use of the products.

alemci · 07/07/2011 13:17

i mean on yourselves (adults), I use the baby powder sometimes and baby bath and shampoo could be used on adults as well.

FunnysInTheGarden · 07/07/2011 13:17

actually, thinking about it you could save it for the day when both DC's need a bath and you have forgotton to buy organic stuff. It's prob better than shampoo, which both DS's were bathing in for the last month.............!

starfishmummy · 07/07/2011 13:24

I have sensitive skin and people give me bubble baths and such, so I just use it for handwashing my smalls.

VioletV · 07/07/2011 13:29

Blimey all those who have Johnsons stuff and aren't using it send it my way lol Failing that, give it to charity. I'd love people to give me products and everything that saves me having to buy it! OP YABU

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/07/2011 13:30

Really need to get my eyes tested. Was just wondering how and why you handwash snails.......

KatieWatie · 07/07/2011 13:31

"He will also keep tabs on it to make sure it doesn't get 'lost'."

Seriously??

Presumably he'll also keep tabs on the level of contents. Just use it on yourself when you shower and he'll be none the wiser.

I wish I had your problems!

AmazingBouncingFerret · 07/07/2011 13:32

Erm... What's wrong with talc?
Confused

dutchyoriginal · 07/07/2011 13:34

Personally, I prefer brand A over B for my baby, but did get some stuff from brand B. Some of it is still gathering dust, but I've also used some products on myself or for cleaning. Would you be ok with that? Also, DH only uses the opened bottles right in front of him, so if I keep the other stuff "hidden" in the back of the cupboard, there's no risk of him using it. :)

GetOffOfMyCloud · 07/07/2011 13:35

JiltedJohnsJulie - Me too lol, thought it might be some kind of gardening tip? :)

Can I also ask what the deal is with talc? DC1 due in October and I've never heard of that before, SIL always used it on hers and her youngest is only 15 months so is it new advice? Thanks and sorry if hijacking.

michelleseashell · 07/07/2011 13:41

I'm also confused about talc and about Johnson's? What's wrong with Johnson's? We've been using this stuff for months and our baby has never had so much as a spot!

Anyway, I think you are being a bit unreasonable. But I'd wash my baby in my bubble bath if I didn't think he'd drink the water so I think we're opposite ends of the bath spectrum!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/07/2011 13:41

Don't think its new advice, we've not used it on ours and our eldest is 7. Think ovarian cancer is thought to be a risk. I think there were also a couple of babies who died through talc and that received alot of media coverage at the time. Don't think there is an official line on it though and baby talc is still available in this country but there are lots of alternatives available too.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/07/2011 13:43

Johnsons is a no no with our family as it seems to make everyone itchy and sore and we've got a very big family so its not just one or two. Thats why I chose not to use it.

ilovecrispsandwiches · 07/07/2011 13:47

breathing in talc regularly is supposed to be dangerous, however i love how it feels on a nice peachy bum. even peachier!
i just make sure i put it on my hands first and then pat on the bum, trying not to puff any in baby's face :)

iwanttoseethezoo · 07/07/2011 13:48

i would either refill the bottles with your own preferred brand, or just use them on yourself until they're gone. Then tell MIL you've realised that baby has sensitive skin and can only use insert preferred brand here.

TBH it is a little precious... i just don't have time to worry about every tiny thing - my daughter is 4 and drinks the bath water that her brothers' bottoms have been in... a bit of bubble bath surely can't hurt?!

HelloKlitty · 07/07/2011 13:50

YANBU my MIL got my DD some talc! We told her she coudn't use it as it's dangerous and one day she babysat and when we colected DD she stank of it...DH threw the talc away.

piprabbit · 07/07/2011 13:52

I've just done some digging about talc and can't find any rock solid evidence that it is associated with cancer - the Cancer Research UK site has some useful information which basically seem to say 'not proven', here.

I never used talc on my DCs - but that was because I couldn't see the point of putting something on them that wasn't actually necessary.

People also have concerns about using washing products that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Parabens - I think Johnson's might be one of those products.

FunnysInTheGarden · 07/07/2011 13:54

How can talc used in a normal way kill a baby Confused

SusanneLinder · 07/07/2011 13:59

Jesus wept.More advice to beat parents over the head with.
If a child has a medical condition or prone to eczema or asthma, then I could see the whole point of this, but I am surprised the whole human race has survived for so bloody long. Johnson's baby products-seriously?

bangs head on desk-this sounds like more unproven crap that the paranoid mummy bandwagon has jumped on. Your little darling will be eating the dog, and covering themselves with unsuitable Christ knows what within a couple of years.

In fact I am going to devise bubble suits for babies and children so they aren't exposed to any nasties.

Rolls eyes again

KnitterNotTwitter · 07/07/2011 14:03

FWIW we don't use any soap on DS... he's nearly 3 and basically soap/chemical free... We've always just used water and a cloth/cotton wool for wiping and only washed his hair 2 or 3 times with soap.... He gets lots of comments on how lovely his skin is he isn't smelly! He just splashes around in the bath with no bubbles...

WoTmania · 07/07/2011 14:04

YANBU - but I don't use any soap on my children so I would say that. Water is fine, especially when they are small.

RottenTiming · 07/07/2011 14:06

Well you said in your post that you had decided to get on your high horse about this issue so you would be very unreasonable to do anything to cause offence to others around who don't have such a long legged equine to mount up on.

There have been a range of suggestions on here to satisfy your needs but whatever you do you must must must make sure that no-one is made to feel inadequate or upset by your high horse stance on the matter. That would be totally unreasonable.

hellospoon · 07/07/2011 14:13

in fact I am going to devise bubble suits for babies and children so they aren't exposed to any nasties

Hahahaha! My thoughts exactly. Op your being very ott precious. If you don't like the stuff don't use it, or say it gives dc a rash. Hardly worth a aibu thread and a fall out with family!

winnybella · 07/07/2011 14:16

If you don't want to use them then don't, but do you really think you'll harm your baby by using one bottle of body wash on him and one tube of barrier cream because they contain SLS? Hmm It really is such a non-issue.

HelloKlitty · 07/07/2011 14:16

For the record I'm not a fussy Mum..but theres a histry of Asthma in my family and DD was newborn...I wasn't riskng it...I recently bought some talc for her and DD2 though and they love it. It's ueful after swimming.