Shampoo
Of all the baby care products shampoos tend to have the most ingredients. Use a shampoo that has natural herbal ingredients, preferably organic. Products by Aubrey Organics, California Baby, Dr. Bronner, and others are safer than commercial shampoos. Two of the most problematic ingredients in shampoo are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and propylene glycol. SLS is a wetting and foaming agent frequently used in shampoos and toothpastes. It can cause skin irritation, mucus membrane irritation and urinary tract infections, drying of the skin, and it is a mutagen capable of causing changes in genetic material in cells. Propylene glycol is a wetting agent or solvent. It is a common component of anti-freeze and brake fluid. It has been linked with kidney damage and liver abnormalities as well as rashes and dry skin.

Other common ingredients are not much better. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a degreaser used in spray-on oven cleaners. PEG dries the skin and has been identified as a potential carcinogen. DEA, MEA, and TEA, the ethanolamines, are hormone disrupting chemicals known to form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines. These foaming agents have been associated with liver and kidney cancer. The synthetic paraben preservatives methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben are also hormone disrupters with toxic properties. Some preservatives added to skin and hair products release formaldehyde (Urea and DMDM hydantoin). The word “fragrance” denotes synthetic compounds with up to 4,000 separate ingredients, many of which are carcinogenic, toxic, and capable of producing a wide range of symptoms including hyperactivity, irritability, headaches, and skin irritation.

Chemicals to avoid in shampoo and lotions Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Ethenolamines (DEA, MEA, TEA) Alcohol Fragrance Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, ethyl-)

Lotions and creams

Some excellent products exist for moisturizing and protecting your baby’s skin. Products with essential oils can be especially soothing. It is probably best to avoid lavender, since it has been implicated as an estrogenic substance. Avoid lotions, ointments, and creams that contain petroleum or petrolatum and alcohol. Many of the same harmful chemicals found in shampoos will also show up in lotions. Companies that make an effort to use only natural ingredients include Weleda, Mustela, and California Baby, as well as the organic products by Aubrey, Avalon, and Jason. Several of these companies make diaper creams and baby lotions that are soothing and nontoxic. Natural moisturizers such as premium shea butter (www.sheainstitute.com) and virgin coconut oil work very well and have no added frangrances or chemicals. Shea butter contains vitamin A and the fatty acids in virgin coconut oil discourage free-radical production and bacterial growth in the skin.

In her excellent book, Natural Child Care, Maribeth Riggs suggestsa well formulated ointment. I am quoting her directions for DiaperRash Skin Ointment partly because they are good, but also as an example of how such useful information can be presented for home use:

This ointment is made from ingredients that will help keep the surface of an infant’s skin dry, nourish the skin, and fight bacteria.Comfrey Root, Chickweed, and Marshmallow Root all have one thing in common:they contain large amounts of calcium, which can help stimulate tissue growth.Comfrey Root, in particular, is noted for its healing powers, sporting common folk names like knitbone and bruisewort. These three herbs combined with Goldenseal powder, which serves as a topical antiseptic, are an excellent combination for combating diaper rash. Beeswax and sweet almond oil both have skin nourishing and soothing qualities. This ointment is also good for mild abrasions, sunburns and hives.

1 Tbl. Chickweed

1 Tbl. Marshmallow Root

1 Tbl. Comfrey Root

¹/8 tsp. Golden Seal Root powder

1 cup sweet almond oil

¹/4 cup beeswax

1. Combine the Chickweed, Marshmallow Root, Comfrey Root and GoldensealRoot powder in a cast-iron frying pan with the sweet almond oil.

2. Gently fry the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to let the herbs burn.

3. When the mixture is hot, add the beeswax and melt it down.

4. When the beeswax is completely melted, strain the mixture through a cheese cloth into a small, labeled jar with a tight-fitting lid.

5. Refrigerate the ointment until it solidifies. The final ointment isan opaque tan color and smells of beeswax and Comfrey Root. Keep the ointment in a convenient place near the infant’s changing table, away from heat.Discard any used portion after 2 months.

Application: Apply the ointment by gently rubbing it on the diaperarea each time the diaper is changed. This ointment is very soothing toa rashy infant. Three or 4 applications are usually enough to get rid ofdiaper rash. If the infant’s diaper rash does not respond to this treatment, or if it keeps reappearing, investigate factors such as the proper disinfection of diapers, changes in diet, or other skin disorders.

Herbs will not usually be enough to clear this problem, unless used in thecontext of appropriate care being taken with such issues as:

• Change wet diapers promptly and frequently. Switch types of diapers disposable to cloth or reverse. Use protective ointment (bees wax, zincoxide, calendula, Diaper Rash Skin Ointment).
  

• Avoid or reduce the use of occlusive rubber pants over the diaper.
  

• Allow baby to go without diaper, and air and sun dry the area.
  

• Do not use talcum powder or corn starch. If you must powder, use a clay product.