This post is a part of a series coming next month! We will be teaching in-person classes to pregnant & postpartum families during our doula training to help collaborate family centered doula training with hands on learning for families. Please visit our classes page and complete the community training form if interested!
There is a lot to be said about the chemicals we dump everyday into the earth that our in our environment everyday used for cleaning and self-care. These chemicals are dangerous and more information will be provided in this series on how to do things yourself more naturally and less expensive, to lessen the chemicals in your home, on your skin, and on your baby’s skin.
This is just a start if you want to dive deeper, visit this site here: https://talkintrashwithuhn.com/2015/10/02/the-baby-product-environmental-conundrum/
This is a short and sweet post to provide you with what you showed up for – natural family and baby care! The list below is used for the adults, children, and baby – or anyone who maybe holding your child or caring for your child. Our series will include laundry detergent which effects everyone’s skin if using harmful products. Anyone holding your baby or child is exposing them to the harsh chemicals and fragrances. Additionally, personal care products such as soaps, lotions, shampoo, baby wipes and so on.
Moisturizer
Seldom do babies “need” lotion or moisturizer, but their skin can become dry or irritated during certain times of the year. Their skin is new and the skin is the largest organ on the body and therefore absorbing whatever you put on their skin. Their skin is more sensitive and therefore whatever you and your family uses, will end up on their skin and in their lungs. The least expensive and environmentally safe thing do do is…nothing.
If needed, below is a combination of what can be used as a natural moisturizer. It is important to blend different oils at different times in order to prevent sensitivity. Using the same thing consistently just like eating the same foods consistently can cause sensitivities. Switch it up – but always use vegetable-based oils.
Least expensive expensive options:
- 1 cup of grapeseed oil (anti-fungal, neutral properties)
- Recycled glass bottle or jar (Kombucha bottles or others are great and without leaking plastics into your baby’s products)
- 1/3 cup of olive oil or wheatgerm oil or coconut oil (switch things up periodically)
More expensive options to add if desired (some or all):
- 1/2 cup beeswax (melted first very slowly or already blended)
- 1/2 TBSP spoon shea butter
- 1/4 cup of jojoba oil
- pure essential oils such as lavender or others that are gentle on the skin – research first and test on the skin first! Additionally know that not all oils can be applied to the skin and need a carrier oil and some will even burn the skin!
Warm the oils on very low on the stovetop or in a crock pot and stir once warm. Too high will damage the properties and cause toxic chemicals
Body Wash DIY
Ingredients:
You can make your own castile soap as part of the ingredients by shaving (with a cheese grader) a bar of natural castile soap such as Dr. Bronner’s all natural ingredient soap (unscented or one for babies) and let the soap shavings sit in filtered or distilled water overnight to turn into a liquid soap.
- Add more water if needed to loosen or thin to your desired soapiness or amount desired – this soap tends to go a long way
- 6-12 drops of pure essential oils (optional – research and test the skin as babies can be sensitive and others to them)
- 1/2 spoon of vitamin E or wheatgerm oil (high in vitamin E) – every time you make more, use a different vegetable-based oil to prevent sensitivities. Even natural oils have properties and latex that can cause allergies.
- Recycled glass bottle or jar (Kombucha bottles or others are great and without leaking plastics into your baby’s products)