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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Organic products to bath newborn or nothing?

15 replies

tilda0 · 20/01/2018 20:19

Hi all,
I am going to welcome a little one very soon. I was doing tons of research to pick the right organic one, trying to understand which one smells the best but won't cover the natural baby smell, etc. Then I saw an article saying 'no soap and cream on newborns before the age of 4 weeks'.
So, a few questions:
-How is baby going to smell if I don't use any soap?
-Is there any cream that is a must have?
-Can I use coconut oil? (instead of olive oil)

Thanks for your help!

OP posts:
EssentialHummus · 20/01/2018 20:22

I wouldn't use anything on a newborn, they smell heavenly as is.

No must-haves from me at the outset. If they suffer from dry skin a bit later on, Aveeno is super. And if they have cradle cap, slather on the coconut oil. Otherwise leave well alone.

Bellamuerte · 20/01/2018 20:28

I believe you're only supposed to wash them with water and nothing else for the first month or so.

seafooodplatter · 20/01/2018 20:34

Water doesn't do much when they have shit up their back or if they have dribbled milk under their chin and it's dried up. That can stink and get sore if it's not cleaned properly.

I don't believe a drop of gentle soap does any harm at all. Ensures the area is clean and removes any traces.

My newborn got very red and sore without a barrier cream. A thin layer of sudocrem prevents poo and wee sitting on their skin. And if they do get a bit of a rash or soreness metanium clears it up. If they are asleep and it isn't noticed right away that they need a clean nappy it can get sore with nothing on the skin.

DailyMaileatmyshit · 20/01/2018 23:12

I didn't use anything but water on DS until he was about 15months.

I never got the 'gorgeous newborn' smell thing though. Other people thought he smelt like a lovely newborn, I thought he smelt like my insides!

ToftheB · 21/01/2018 04:44

I’ve not used any soap on my 4 week old yet, just regular baths with a nice soft flannel. I have used a bit of sudocrem to protect his bum though when it’s looked a bit pink and some fragrance free Aveno moisturiser on his head as his skin was looking a bit dry.
He doesn’t smell of much, just a warm soft skin smell, which is lovely but subtle.
I think you’d be fine to use coconut oil, I use it on myself but haven’t used it on him yet.,

tealandteal · 21/01/2018 05:39

We didn't use anything on DS until he was 4 weeks old apart from a barrier cream on his bum. Wipes got rid of anything when doing nappy changes. I add a bit of Childs Farm bubble both to his bath now and use their moisturiser on him sometimes. DH has excema so I choose something for sensitive skin just in case although he seems OK

putputput · 21/01/2018 05:46

Just use water. Coconut oil is fine to moisturise, better than olive oil actually. You can use a bum barrier cream if bottom appears red.
Be prepared that all newborn skin will start peeling/going spotty/looking blotchy. It's just your baby's skin getting used to the outside world

MagicMoneyTree · 21/01/2018 07:43

Another one here who didn’t use anything but water till DC was well over 1. Didn’t need it.

Prusik · 21/01/2018 07:47

We were in hospital for a fair while but didn't even bath Ds until he was about 6 weeks. You don't need any products necessarily. Their skins are so porous that really just water is probably best

Hairgician · 21/01/2018 08:50

Yea I noticed ds1 little face got spotty/red and blotchy day or so after he was born. Midwife said it's because their skin is sensitive and not used to blsnkets/ cloth etc. Cleared up in few days.
He had his first bath the day we left hospital on day 5. We found he liked the bath as relaxed him.
Currently using child's farm cream on him after baths (hes 4) as hes a bit sensitive. It smells lovely. Will prob stock up on bath wash and cream for after this one is born .

mindutopia · 22/01/2018 09:26

Agreed, I wouldn't use anything for the first month or so, maybe even longer. You won't need to. Water will be plenty. Babies don't get 'dirty.' They don't produce sweat or have an odor like we would. Water is really all you need. I honestly can't remember using any soap with my first before at least like 8-12 weeks. They have a lovely natural smell when they're first born and not washing that away helps with bonding and your milk supply if you want to bf. I remember actually feeling sad the first time we used any soap because she no longer smelled 'right.'

Original poster
tilda0 · 25/01/2018 14:59

Thanks all for your replies! I decided to use mainly water, have a nappy cream and a liquid soap from Weleda in case a mini drop is needed (sticky milk), coconut oil if there is sticky poop. Not sure yet if I should have a body moisturiser anyway...?

OP posts:
EssentialHummus · 25/01/2018 16:02

WAter Wipes for meconium/sticky poo?

silkpyjamasallday · 25/01/2018 16:13

We used nothing but water and coconut oil until DD was one, didn't use wipes until she was four months old, she has never had a rash of any kind. While I don't think using products is harmful to most babies, I was cautious as my younger DB had an awful time with skin reactions to just about everything. She has a bubble bath occasionally now and it's done no harm to her skin, I think the brand was Child's Farm, you can get it in boots, subtle natural scents.

actino · 27/01/2018 08:51

Dd is almost 3 months old and this is what we use:

  • water only for baths
  • weleda barrier cream
  • sudocrem on nappy rash
  • huggies pure 99% water wipes (cotton wool and water for changes for the first 8/9 weeks)

She's a puker but warm water has been fine for getting puke our of neck folds.

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