As a new parent you want to make sure you do the best for your baby and one of the most important things to consider is their skin. A newborn baby has very delicate skin that needs extra gentle care. However, many common baby products can harm your baby’s sensitive skin and can have a negative impact on the environment.
This article will show you some of the best natural products you can use that are kind to your baby’s skin and are better for the environment. So if you are looking for safe baby products that don't contain nasty chemicals and are eco-friendly then read on.
Newborn products: which to choose and which to avoid
There are many baby products on the market that can actually damage the sensitive barrier of your baby’s skin. This can lead to rashes and irritable babies which is not ideal.
One ingredient to avoid is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS. This ingredient is in many soap-based products and is what makes your soap lather. However, it is a very drying ingredient and strips away the skin's natural oils. When choosing a product for your baby avoid SLS and choose natural ingredients where possible. Below are some great eco-friendly baby products that are gentle on your baby’s skin:
- Neals Yard Organic Baby Balm is a great all-over baby body balm
- Child’s Farm - Their range of hair care and bath products is responsibly sourced and includes natural origin ingredients.
- Kit&Kin Magic Salve - great for nappy rash and made with natural ingredients.
Keep it simple
The best way to look after your baby’s delicate skin is to keep things simple. When washing your baby in the first few weeks you only need to use warm water without soap. Making sure your baby’s skin is fully dry after a nappy change will help to reduce the chance of nappy rash, and you only need to use nappy cream if the skin is suffering.
Reusable nappies and wipes
With my own daughter, I used reusable nappies and used cloth wipes with warm water to clean during a nappy change. I made this choice to avoid the synthetic chemicals found in disposable nappies, and as a way to help reduce waste and to protect the environment. There are many reusable nappies and cloth wipe options available which are usually made in sustainable natural cotton or bamboo materials.
Here are some great reusable nappy brands, however, you can also buy reusable nappies secondhand.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a natural and versatile product that is great for newborn baby skin. Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that help to hydrate and protect the skin and it also is hypoallergenic. Coconut oil has a variety of uses when it comes to babies and is safe to use as a nappy cream, a moisturiser, and even as toothpaste as it has antibacterial properties. To use coconut oil on your baby simply warm up the oil in your hands and apply it.
You can use organic coconut oil found in supermarkets or Kokoso is a great coconut oil specifically for baby care.
Organic cotton clothing
Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilisers. It's a great choice for baby clothing because it's soft, breathable, and gentle on the skin. Many baby brands use organic cotton fabric, which is long-lasting and easy to clean. Borro only stocks organic cotton, and washes clothes with gentle detergents to make sure there are never any nasty chemicals against your baby's skin.
