The phrase softer than a baby’s bottom” is often easier said than done – especially if newborns are suffering from common skin conditions such as eczema and nappy rash. A newborn’s skin is so sensitive as it has not been exposed to external factors and is still building up protection and immunity, explains Celeste Lutrario, vice president research and development at Burt's Bees. This is why babies can suffer from skin irritation and conditions such as eczema, but as they get older will no longer get the condition.”
For this reason, parents need to be educated on what ingredients are gentle enough for use on babies’ skin. Lutrario says that parents should avoid cleansers that can strip too much of the lipid layer of a baby’s skin, as well as fragrances that may contain a large amount of allergens. It is also important that when cleansing and bathing, the products used should be very gentle,” Lutrario adds.
Ingredients
Most experts will agree that irritating surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are too harsh for babies’ skin. Instead look for ingredients such as decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside, which are derived from sugars and are much gentler on skin,” advises Lutrario.
Steering clear of sulfate, Burt’s Bees Baby Bee range instead utilises ingredients including coconut oil, found in , and sweet almond oil, which soothes baby’s skin via the .
The Aromatherapy Company’s Baby Therapy Range combines natural Manuka Honey blended with 100 per cent pure and natural lavender oil. Not just cute packaging, the range is popular with mums looking for a gentle and safe range for their bub’s skin.
Similarly, Milk Baby by Lindy Klim boasts premium quality natural and organic ingredients and is just as good for your baby’s skin as it is for the appearance of your bathroom. The simple packaging reflects the philosophy of the brand. I have always been surrounded by a therapeutic, clean, green and organic lifestyle after growing up and living in Bali and Tasmania,” explains founder Lindy Klim. I wanted to extend this love of all things natural to a range of baby skin care that I felt confident using on my young family, hence Milk Baby was born.”
As with all their products, Egozite range prides itself on the ingredients it leaves out, including nasty sulfates. The brand’s Egozite Cradle Cap Lotion is the perfect accompaniment to baby’s bathtime to keep skin moisturised, while is ideal for treating nappy rash.
Treating skin conditions
For problematic skin conditions such as eczema and nappy rash, it’s important to use targeted yet gentle products. The Avado Organics range harnesses the power of avocado oil, a known treatment of eczema. The brand’s Baby Naturals range has a whole host of products gentle enough for sensitive babies’ skin. Another good range for babies suffering from eczema is , which uses natural colloidal oatmeal in its baby range to relieve symptoms of dry skin, dermatitis and nappy rash.
And when it comes to nappy rash, it’s hard to go past one of Australia’s leading babycare brands, , whose has been a favourite amongst mums since it was developed by a pediatric doctor in Sydney’s St. George Hospital more than 30 years ago.
Sleeping
Lack of sleep and a newborn baby seem to go hand-in-hand. Independent infant sleep expert Dr Alex Bartle reveals parents lose between 400-750 hours of sleep during baby’s first year of life, which is the equivalent of losing 50-94 full eight-hour nights’ of sleep. For this reason, many brands have invested heavily in developing products specifically designed to help babies develop regular sleep patterns.
Bedtime three-step routine, developed in conjunction with pediatric sleep expert Dr Jodi A Mindell PhD, has been clinically proven to help babies sleep better. The routine involves a warm bath using , which releases soothing aromas when added to a warm bath. This should be followed by , a soothing moisturiser to be used as an after-bath lotion or for a massage as part of a nightly routine. Finally, Johnson’s and Dr Mindell advise quiet activities before sleep.
For mum
Of course, we couldn’t write about babycare products without thinking of mum! Stretchmarks are a common skin condition felt by women during pregnancy and following childbirth. Daily use of body oils or moisturisers has been proven to help reduce the appearance of stretchmarks. A new one to hit the Australian market is from Shiffa Dubai, an all-natural skincare brand. Founded by Dubai-native Dr Lamees Hamdan, the range is built on its Pregnancy Body Oil, which saw Dr Hamdan herself through four pregnancies without a stretchmark.
For a slightly cheaper option, is a solid favourrite, having maintained its No.1 selling skincare product status in Australia for more than four years. Its blend of vitamins A and E, plant extracts and PurCellin Oil ensures the formula is light and non-greasy.
During pregnancy, increased levels of oestrogen prolong the growing stage of a hair’s life, which is why pregnant women are often associated with having luscious, thick locks. Unfortunately, once the birth is over, the level of oestrogen falls, causing hair to stop growing so rapidly and then eventually fall out. A good way to combat this trend is by using Foltene’s Hair Supplement, which encourages natural hair growth. It’s best used in conjunction with the brand’s Thinning Hair Shampoo, which restores the scalp’s natural pH and gently removes excess sebum. Because the last thing a new mum needs is to worry about hair loss!