A baby’s skin is even more porous than ours and can take on chemicals that may be in soaps, shampoos and bath washes, so it’s a really good idea to have a bath wash that’s gentle and kind. I invented this natural baby bath wash when our first grandchild arrived 12 years ago.
Ingredients
- 400ml water
- 4 tablespoons grated 100% natural vegetable oil soap (look in your health shop for a good bar such as Dr Bronner’s)
- 80ml rosewater
- 20ml glycerine
Steps
- Bring the water to the boil in a small saucepan and add the grated soap.
- Stir until all the soap is melted, then take off the heat and allow to cool a little until just warm.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and pour into a squeeze bottle. Depending on the soap you use, this may cool into a gel or remain quite liquid.
- To use, simply squeeze into the bath. It will not bubble but cleans and moisturises beautifully.
Other things to try in baby’s bath
- Add a few drops of olive oil to the water and swish around. When baby is older than three months, you can also add one or two drops of lavender oil at night to relax them for sleep.
- Put half an organic lemon in the bathwater. The astringency of the lemon makes it a great cleanser, and it’s also antibacterial.
- Add one teaspoon of baking soda to make the water super soft and soothing – especially good if baby has a nappy rash or heat rash.
- Add 20ml of full-fat milk to the bath. The lactic acid is a great cleanser and leaves baby’s skin smooth and soft.
- Tie a tablespoon of rolled oats into a piece of cloth the size of a small handkerchief and secure at the top with string. Add it to the bath five minutes before bath time. Just before you pop baby in, give the pouch a squeeze. The oats are soothing for skin and you can use the sachet to gently clean baby. It’s also good for skin rashes.
Related article: Makeup Products That Are Naturally Enhancing and Safe for Teens
