Baby Lotion?

[Kelly1101]

Was going through her bag of "toiletries" and came across some Johnson's Baby Lotion, which got me to thinking... should I be using this now? My baby is 7 months, and she's done fine without the lotion so far, but now that it's winter, there's a lot of dry heat, it might feel good to her when she gets out of the bath... I mean, I put lotion on myself this time of year... but then again I don't want to gunk up her skin...

Anyone use baby lotion, like it, don't like it?

[Auraji]

I didnt use to put her any, but her skin has been getting so dry. I just got the Burt's Bees buttermilk lotion and Ill try it after her bath later.

I guess Ill let you know how I like it after a couple of days

[sunshynbaby]

I use pure olive oil or coconut oil so he isn't exposed to all those chemicals. My FIL lathered him up with baby lotion without my permission, though, and he was fine (thank goodness no allergies).

[April Dawn]

Do I use baby lotion? Yes. Johnson and Johnson? No.

I use the Burt's Bees lotion on my son's very dry scalp and I love it. I won't use Johnson and Johnson since tests earlier this year showed formaldehyde in their baby shampoo and lotion - yuck!

[MsVyky]

we dont use lotion, but I massage my LO after a bath with sweet almond oil. its very cold and dry up here- she definitely needs the moisture

[lifeguard]

I use a locally made organic lotion on ds. On me - Johnson & Johnson - I LOVE the smell of that stuff & it is one of my guilty indulgences!

[basje]

I would really suggest you check out what's in your lotion before deciding to continue. That lotion has has ingredients linked to neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), occupational hazards, biochemical or cellular level changes. Its weird that goverments don't regulate personal care products. But you might care what your covering your baby in once you realize what's in there.

Check out the risk for yourself at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com (funded by the enviromental working group). They have a whole section on baby care items, and it's really easy to use and free.

And, FYI the Burt's Bees Buttermilk lotion also uses ingredients that have risks of neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and organ system toxicity. It's rated a moderate hazard at 4 (better than the Johnsons that's rated a 6) but you could still do a lot better. Like the L'OCCITANE MOM & BABY BALM (rated a 0), BADGER BABY BALM (also 0), or CALIFORNIA BABY EVERYDAY LOTION SUPER SENSITIVE (rated a 1).

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I was just going to recommend the Skin Deep Database. Johnson and Johnson baby lotion is rated a 6 out of 10 on their toxicity scale.

Here's the link.

[DCMama01]

I needed to read this.

I don't put most commercial lotions on my skin and use shea butter (or whatever butter/oil is nearby) normally on my own skin. I was wondering what to use on DD and duh! Natural butters and oils too, of course!

Thanks!

[fruitfulmomma]

I wouldn't go near J&J. It makes me ill just smelling it.

I also don't use BB's. They sold out to Clorox a few years back and their ingredients changed considerably.

We use California Baby Super Sensitive. Made from natural ingredients, free of several major allergens, and fragrance and dye-free.

[April Dawn]

That link is really helpful, thanks for posting, basje. I didn't know about Burts Bees.

I've tried the California Baby because I've heard people say they like it, and I don't really care for the smell. I like the Burts Bees smell, but it looks like I should try something else...

[sunnygir1]

Man, I can't stand the Burt's Bees smell...it's so strong!

I only put anything on my baby or toddler if his or her skin looks dry or red, and then I use olive oil or vitamin E oil on the baby and a fragrance free all natural lotion (can't remember the brand right now) on my toddler.

California Baby bubble bath is the only one that doesn't make my dd break out, and I generally trust their products to be clean.

I would never put a commercial lotion on anyone in my family, especially Johnson and Johnson. Baby oil is made from PETROLEUM! I would not put that kind of product on human skin...yuck!

[Straggletag]

We used aloe gel on our babies' dry skin in their first week of life, cocoa butter on any really cracked spots (an ankle once), and we've used a wheat germ balm on diaper rash after some witch hazel. That's about we use on ourselves, as well.

[noobmom]

I never used lotion regularly on DS. Only when/where he needed it and I used the California Baby Sensitive Skin Lotion. Now that he's 3 yo and very opinionated, he doesn't like it! I'm not sure why, but he runs away from me if I try to put it on him.

Last night I got some California Baby Calendula Cream and DS approves of that one. It's also a "1" in the cosmetics database, so I guess we'll try that one for while. With #2 coming I'm not sure which I'll use on her.

[major_mama11]

Good info! I'm bookmarking that site. That explains why J&J breaks my kids out and Aveeno doesn't (6/10 vs 1/10 for the product I use).

nak...

[midnightmommy]

We started buying California Baby first for diaper rash and then cradle cap. We are not looking back! It does of course cost more than J&J, but it works well. Doesn't smell like artificial fragrance (which I can no longer stand), and is much more natural.

[DaughterOfKali]

We use California Baby Sensitive lotion (unscented.)

[Auraji]

Well no more Burt's Bees, Im switching to the good ol' Jojoba oil.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by sunshynbaby

I use pure olive oil or coconut oil so he isn't exposed to all those chemicals.

Works great, and absorbs quickly with no sliminess when you wet the skin later.

[wombatclay]

We use Aveeno (dd1 has eczema and it's the only lotion that helps during a flare so it's what we keep around) and coconut oil.

We live in a very "real winter" region and without some sort of serious barrier lotion we all (DH and I as well as the kids) find that our skin cracks and rips. Not fun! We also run a humidifier in the living area and have an indoor thermometer that includes a humidity sensor so we can keep things in a good range.