While all of these things can be an important rite of passage and can make parents’ lives easier, newly manufactured products actually expose babies to a significant toxic load. Babies are born with sensitive immature immune systems, organs and detoxification systems.
It’s important to be conscious of this and make an effort to keep the baby’s environment as natural and non-irritating as possible.
Here are some simple DIY recipes for natural baby care products:
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Natural Diaper Cream (cloth diaper-friendly)
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| Prep Time: |
| 3months |
| Cook Time: |
| 30mins |
| Total time: |
Serves:
1
Recipe by:
This is a lovely natural diaper cream that is high in fat-soluble vitamins and gentle antibacterials. It is very protective on the skin and works well with cloth diapers.
Ingredients
- 1/4cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1tablespoon unbleached beeswax pastilles
- 2 tablespoon fermented cod liver oil
- 2tablespoon zinc oxide powder
- 1tablespoon bentonite clay
Servings: baby
Instructions
- Mix shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler or glass bowl over a small saucepan with an inch of water. Bring water to a boil and melt the ingredients.
- Remove from heat and add the fermented cod liver oil, zinc oxide, bentonite clay and essential oil (if using).
- Stir carefully as it starts to cool.
- Pour into the container you are going to use to store it and stir a few more times as it cools.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
- Use as needed for diaper rash.
Recipe Notes
Optional: a few drops of chamomile or lavender essential oil
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Natural Baby Oil
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| Prep Time: |
| 2weeks |
| Cook Time: |
| nocook |
| Total time: |
Serves:
1
Recipe by:
Commercial baby oil is made from mineral oil left over from petroleum manufacturing processes. Mineral oil has been associated with up to 23 different illnesses. This is not something that should be going on a soft little baby’s skin. Try this natural alternative instead!
Ingredients
- 1oz organic olive oil
- 4oz organic sweet almond oil
- 1cup dry organic chamomile flowers
- 1/2cup cup dry calendula petals
Servings: baby
Instructions
- Add herbs into a mason jar, and fill with oil. The jar should contain 1/3 herbs and 2/3 oil. Put on the lid and leave the jar sitting in a cupboard for 2 weeks, inverting the jar each day to keep the herbs well mixed.
- When oil is done infusing, strain oil with a fine mesh strainer, a cheesecloth, or a thin clean T-shirt.
- Using a small funnel add the strained oil into a clean container of your choice.
- If desired add 5 drops of pure chamomile essential oil.
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Natural Body Wash
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| Prep Time: |
| 20minutes |
| Cook Time: |
| nocook |
| Total time: |
Serves:
1
Recipe by:
This is a gentle wash that won’t irritate or dry out baby’s skin.
Ingredients
- 1oz unscented liquid castile soap
- 4oz filtered water
- 3 drops drops lavender essential oil
- 3drops drops orange or lemongrass essential oil
Servings: baby
Instructions
- Simply combine ingredients in a jar or bottle and use a small amount as needed.
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Gentle Baby Wipes
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| Prep Time: |
| 20minutes |
| Cook Time: |
| nocook |
| Total time: |
Serves:
1
Recipe by:
Commercial baby wipes are expensive, and often contain alcohols and perfumes that aren’t great for sensitive skin. Save some cash and try these gentle natural baby wipes.
Ingredients
- 1tablespoon almond, grapeseed, or olive oil
- 1tablespoon liquid unscented castile soap
- 1cup distilled or filtered water
- 2drops chamomile essential oil
- 2drops lavender essential oil
- 1/4teaspoon vitamin E oil as a natural preservative
Servings: baby
Instructions
For the wipes: There are several different ways you can make your own soft, cloth wipes.
- Use baby washcloths.
- Follow a simple tutorial for making flannel one-layer or two-layer cloth wipes that require a little sewing. Save money on fabric by using a pair of old flannel pajamas or receiving blankets
- For a no-sew option, choose a soft material that won’t fray (like fleece) and cut squares with pinking shears
For the wipe solution:
- Combine all ingredients, adding water first to avoid creating lots of bubbles. There are many different ways to use and store homemade baby wipes and solution. Choose the method that works best for you:
- Place cloth wipes in a repurposed baby wipe container and pour solution over wipes until moist, but not drenched. (You may have solution left over.)
- Add solution to a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Spray solution onto cloth wipes before using. You can also spray directly onto child’s diaper area, then wipe with a dry homemade wipe.
Recipe Notes
Add wipe solution to a squirt bottle. Shake before use, and squirt directly onto cloth wipes.
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Teething Tincture
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| Prep Time: |
| 6weeks |
| Cook Time: |
| nocook |
| Total time: |
Serves:
1
Recipe by:
A tincture is similar to a soothing herbal tea, except that it includes vegetable glycerin as an extractor and preservative. This is very gentle and entirely non-toxic.
Ingredients
- 1/2tablespoon cloves
- 2tablespoon catnip
- 2oz filtered water
- 2oz vegetable glycerin
Servings: baby
Instructions
- Place the herbs in a glass jar. Pour in the glycerin and add the water.
- Shake the jar, cover and set in a cool dark cupboard for about 6 weeks. Strain the mixture into a small amber glass vial which can be kept in your purse for on-the-go use.
- Use as needed, a few drops at a time.
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Natural Baby Powder
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| Prep Time: |
| 20mins |
| Cook Time: |
| no cook |
| Total time: |
Serves:
1
Recipe by:
Keep baby’s skin happy with this non-toxic, fragrance-free baby powder that is extremely easy to make. This also makes a great foot or body powder for adults.
Ingredients
- 1/4cup cornstarch
- 1/4cup arrowroot powder
- 1tablespoon white clay
Servings: baby
Instructions
- Mix ingredients together.
- Optionally add some high-quality essential oils:
a. 3 drops sweet orange
b. 2 drops ylang ylang
c. 1 drop geranium
- Store in a jar with a sprinkle top, such as a parmesan cheese dispenser.
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-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://naturallymindful.com/2014/01/homemade-baby-oil-free-label.html
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2011.01594.x/full
http://wellnessmama.com/5062/baby-care-recipes
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-for-baby
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/resources/2012/baby-care-recipes
http://diaperwrecker.com/2013/12/homemade-baby-products-20-recipes