HOSPITAL BAG - BABY SKINCARE

Just 7 days to go now before baby is due!! The last two days I’ve shown you what I’ll be bringing with me in terms of makeup, as well as skin, body and haircare. And needless to say that I also need to bring a few essentials for the baby, including of course clothes and also nappies (as for some reason, most hospitals just don’t provide those), but I will also bring a few other skincare items for the baby including:

GAIA Natural Baby Travel Pack

I’ve raved about the baby skincare products from GAIA Natural Baby before, and I still love their products. This travel pack is so convenient, with its handy small bottles containing 50ml each, - and just what you need of the most essential products, Bath & Body Wash, Baby Shampoo and Baby Moisturiser. The products have a beautiful gentle natural scent and I can relax knowing that they are so gentle that they are suitable for use on a newborn too. RRP: $14.95.



Curash Jumbo Fragrance Free Baby Wipes

I remember vividly the very messy first couple of nappies that you have to change on a baby!!! Not an easy task, and hence why decent nappy wipes are an absolute must. These Jumbo wipes from Curash are some of the biggest ones I’ve come across, and as they are also fairly thick too, they are perfect for any ‘messy’ situation. And I love that they are fragrance free and gentle too, so they are suitable for use on a newborn’s sensitive skin. RRP: $4.99 


Curash Multi-Purpose Healing Cream

I’ve been using this cream lately to deal with my 23 year old boy’s dribble rash that seems to come and go all the time. We’ve tried countless of products, including creams on script, and nothing really seems to help – except this healing cream which seems to give him instant relief, as well as it seems help heal his faster too. Lately I’ve also been using the cream as I’ve developed a bad pregnancy rash and the cream seems to soothe my skin a little too – and I will be bringing it along to the hospital as it is suitable for any skin irritation or rash on a newborn’s skin too. RRP: $8.49


Acca Kappa Gentle Hair Brush

This hair brush came in a beautiful gift box along with a gorgeous piece of soap, which I will however keep and use when we get home.

Our first little boy was born with a lot of very dark hair, which he eventually did lose and now he has a head full of very very blonde hair! - so I can only assume that the new baby will also have a head full of hair too, so this beautiful Acca Kappa baby blue brush made from beech wood with a natural rubber cushion with white natural bristles, will help ensure that our little bub will have the best groomed and shiny hair in the hospital, ready to meet family and friends for the first time! RRP: $79.00

*Some products may have been provided for consideration, but would still be reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

So there you go, these are the baby skincare products that I’ve pack to bring with me to hospital.. Hopefully I haven’t forgotten anything!
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BABY AND TODDLER SKINCARE ESSENTIALS

Today on the blog it is all about baby and toddler skincare that we are currently enjoying using on our 19 month old boy..

Billie Baby Soothing Baby Powder and Soothing Bubble Bath

My little boy loves bubbles. He has a bubble maker, and he loves it when he has lots of bubbles in his bath. Sadly bubble bath is often very drying on the sensitive toddler skin, so we have been limiting bubbles to every other bath, where possible.

However, this Billie Baby Soothing Bubble Bath is so gentle on baby skin as it contains a combination of nourishing Goats milk and Aloe Vera to soften skin and cleanse without drying or irritating the skin, as well as scents of Lavender, Lemon and Ylang Ylang essential oils help calm and comfort your baby. The Bubble Bath creates lots of soft bubbles, and it is free from sulphates, parabens, colour and synthetic fragrance, yet it has the most gorgeous natural scent, mainly from the lavender.

RRP: 13.95 (250ml) - Available from Priceline and Select Pharmacies and Billie Goat Soap Online 

We always use baby powder in the nappy area of our 19 month old boy, to make sure that he is dry, and so far he has never had any nappy rash, so I am convinced that it is worth it. The Billie Baby Soothing Baby Powder is made from 100% talc-free corn starch powder that helps to absorb any excess moisture. It also contains lavender that helps to soothe and calm the baby’s skin, while leaving a lovely light lavender scent behind. It powder is very concentrated, so you only need a tiny dusting, so the bottle will last you quite a while.

RRP: $8.95 (100g) - Available from Priceline and Select Pharmacies and Billie Goat Soap Online 

GAIA Natural Baby Mini Traveller

 I have raved about GAIA before, as their products truly are some of the best baby products I’ve come across and used on my little boy. The products are natural and organic and contain certified organic ingredients including wheat germ oil, evening primrose oil, shea butter, lavender, chamomile, aloe vera leaf extract, calendula and avocado oil. The products are formulated especially for delicate baby skin, and are suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitivities and irritations, making them eczema friendly.

The products are also free from all the chemical nasties such as artificial fragrances, soap, sulphates, petrochemicals, mineral oils, lanolin, paraben preservatives, propylene glycol or phthalates, which I really like as these ingredients can often trigger dryness and irritations in baby skin. They have such a lovely natural scent that is not empowering either, so again perfect for a little baby

The GAIA Mini Traveller Kit contains Baby Shampoo, Baby Bath and Body Wash and Baby Moisturiser, in short, everything you need. The bottles may look small, but don’t be fooled, these products are so concentrated that they will last you a long time. I know that I will putting this small pack away to bring with me to hospital when our little baby arrives in May!

RRP: $16.95 (3 x 50ml) – Available from Priceline, select pharmacies and supermarkets and GAIA Online

Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash and Soothing Relief Moisture Cream

I have been enjoying the Aveeno skincare products on myself, so I am very pleased that there is baby range available too. My little boy hasn’t got particularly dry skin, although it does tend to get a little drier during winter, but sadly he has inherited dad’s sensitive skin.

The Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash is a very concentrated, thick and creamy wash that has been enriched with colloidal oatmeal to care for baby’s sensitive skin. Because the wash is so gentle it can be used as both a body wash, but I have also used it as a shampoo on his fine hair, and I love that it is non-irritating to his eyes, and hence tear-free! I also foams up well, so it can also double as a bubble bath. I also love that it is fragrance free, although it still has a lovely scent that reminds me a little of vanilla, that leaves my son’s skin smell beautiful for long after he is out of his bath. 

RRP: $10.99 (236ml) – Available from Priceline, Pharmacies and Supermarkets

This Soothing Relief Moisture Cream is enriched with colloidal oatmeal to care for baby’s sensitive skin, and t is so gentle that it is suitable for babies (and adults!) with dry skin and eczema. The cream is so thick and creamy, yet it absorbs so quickly into the skin, leaving it so moisturised and soft for hours, yet without leaving behind a greasy feel. My son doesn’t have particularly dry skin, but even so I have noticed that his skin is so much softer now that I am massaging this into his skin after he has had a bath at night. In saying that, occasionally he does have dry skin on his chin from the constant dribbling, but again, just a few applications of the Soothing Relief Moisture Cream and his skin is soft and smooth again. The cream has next to no scent, which I personally also prefer when it comes to baby and toddler skincare products. After massaging the cream into his skin, I’ve been massaging the remaining cream into my hands – they do tend to get a bit dry as I wash them a lot during the day, and the cream has also done wonders here too! The cream is very concentrated, so the large tube is very good value and will last you a while!

RRP: $10.99 (140g) - Available from Priceline, Pharmacies and Supermarkets
*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

So there you go, these are some of the products we currently enjoy using on our little boy.

Have you tried any of these products? Which skincare products do you use on your little ones? Or maybe you use baby skincare yourself??



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MUST-HAVE BABY SKINCARE PRODUCTS

My little baby boy is growing so fast, and turned one last month, so officially no longer a baby, but rather a toddler now weighing over 10kgs, which my poor old back can sure feel when I pick him up and carry him around. . And he is growing and developing so fast, learning new things every day, and his vocabulary is also slowing expanding, and he is now calling one of our dogs, Jazz, for ‘azzzz’, which luckily she understands so she comes when he is calling.


My own skin is feeling the effects of the cold winter – it was a chilling 6 degrees when I went grocery shopping this morning, - and naturally his skin would be feeling it too, although he is rugged up like an eskimo each time we leave the house. So I do my best to use a good selection of skincare products for him, and here are some of the products that we’ve been using lately.

For my first birthday, I got a Jeep....

 

Milk Baby Shampoozle + Conditioner*

 

 

I really love the fact that this shampoo is made in Australia from 95% naturally derived ingredients. The Shampoozle + Conditioner promises to ‘make your washing your bub’s hair the highlight of the evening. No matter what floats your bub’s boat’ in the hair styling department, this naturally derived shampoo + conditioner will leave your bub’s hair silky smooth, tangle free and smelling beautiful. And while he and still only has a little very short and fine blonde hair, and hence doesn’t need a conditioner to detangle his hair, it does leave it super soft and so shiny. And while I would prefer it to be fragrance free, on the other hand, I do love the beautiful gentle vanilla scent, that almost makes me want to eat him when he is out for the bath.

The shampoo is very concentrated so we only need the tiniest drop to wash his hair, so the large 375ml will last for absolutely every, which also makes it very affordable.

RRP: 12.95 (375ml) – Available from Milk, Coles and Woolworths

 

Milk Baby Snotty Grotto Room Spray*

 

 

There is nothing worse than a small baby with a cold. They don’t know how to blow their noses, so it just seems to build up, making it difficult for them to breathe, and consequently everyone’s night sleep is disturbed. Unfortunately our little boy got a bit of a reaction to his 12 months immunisation, and as well as a rash on his body, he also got a head cold. But lucky we had a Snotty Grotty Room Spray at hand as just a few sprays into his room, helped clear his nasal passages making him more relaxed and sleep so much better. The Snotty Grotty spray works  thanks to among others menthol, chamomile oil, tea tree leaf oil, eucalyptus oil, ylang ylang, camphor oil, and orange flower oil, which combined it a beautiful with predominantly a menthol scent with a touch of citrus – strong enough to clearly make a difference, yet gentle enough to be used in a baby’s room! This is definitely a must have item during winter when everyone is prone to colds.

RRP: $12.75 (75ml) – Available from Milk, Coles and Woolworths

 

GAIA Natural Baby Skin Soothing Lotion*

 

 

 

I have previously declared my love for the GAIA Baby products as I love that they are natural and organic and contain certified organic ingredients. The products are formulated especially for delicate baby skin, and are suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitivities and irritations, making them eczema friendly.

The products are also free from all the chemical nasties such as artificial fragrances, soap, sulphates, petrochemicals, mineral oils, lanolin, paraben preservatives, propylene glycol or phthalates, and it contains among others wheat germ oil to keep the skin smooth, chamomile, calendula and lavender  to calm and soothe the skin, and zinc, castor oil and beeswax to provide a protective barrier on the skin.

And it is a true multi-tasking product, suitable for use at nappy changes to keep the baby’s bottom soft and smooth, but it can also can also provide relief and soothe skin irritations, including dribble rash, which apart from using it on Oliver’s bum, is what we’ve mainly been using it for. He had the last lot of teeth come through during the Easter Break, and since then there has been constant dribbling, to the point that his poor little chin is red raw with the worst rash, yet still no new teeth have cut through. We even got a Cortisone prescription at the doctor to try to help, but as that is a steroid hormone, I’d like to minimise using it and much prefer to use the more natural Gaia Skin Soothing Lotion, knowing that it doesn’t contain any chemical nasties.
At the end of the day, after a long day of dribbling, his chin is usually at its worst, as in spite of frequent bib and jumper changes, I just cannot keep up keeping him dry, and it is obviously irritating him so much that he is rubbing the area himself – but as soon as a little Skin Soothing Lotion has been applied, he leaves it alone, so it is clearly helping. I also like that it comes in a handy to use tube, so it is perfect for the nappy bag too.

RRP: $9.99 - Available from Coles, Priceline and select pharmacies

My Eco Sponge Konjac Baby Body Sponge*

Oliver absolutely loves bath time, there is simply nothing better than splashing in the water and playing with his favourite bath squirts, while we wash him. And to make this task easier, we’ve been using the Konjac Baby Sponge from My Eco Sponge. The sponge is made from nothing but 100% natural konjac, which is both sustainable and biodegradable, as well as it contains absolutely no added colourings or additives. The sponge is so gentle, that it is suitable even for those with extremely sensitive skin, or if you have skin irritations, or been sunburnt, so it couldn’t be better to use for washing a baby’s sensitive skin. 

It claims to hold ten times their weight in liquid – and of course I had to test this – so I soaked the sponge, and then tested how much water it held – a massive 40ml, which is a lot for such a small sponge – but it makes it so easy to use when you rinse your little one’s hair, no cup needed, as the sponge simply holds sufficient water. Absolutely brilliant.

RRP: $12.30 – Available from My Eco Sponge
 

So there you have it, these are the products that we are so far enjoying using.

*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and it has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

What about you, have you tried any of these products? And can you recommend others worth trying?

 

Event: Support Cancer Research with GAIA Skin Naturals on a Girls Night In

Love catching up with your girlfriends and the ladies in your family? Then why not bring everyone together for a very special event, and raise much-needed funds to help beat women's cancers at the same time?  It's all about bringing women together, celebrating, and raising money to help Cancer Council fight against breast and gynaecological cancers.   When a group of women come together for a girl’s night-in to raise money for cancer research, it’s a powerful example of the great things a local community of caring women can achieve.

On Friday, October 18th, the third annual Emerald Community Girls Night In will be held at the Emerald Performing Arts Centre, once again giving local women the chance to enjoy a great night out with friends while raising money for the Cancer Council of Victoria.

 

 

Proudly supported each year by GAIA Skin Naturals, last year’s event was attended by 260 women and raised approx. $12,000. The efforts of the organising committee were honoured by a research award being named after them: "The Emerald Community Research Award", as well as the opportunity to nominate which clinical trial was to receive the grant.

Head organiser, Stephanie Cox, explains she decided to hold the event after her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. "I felt so helpless and wanted to do something. I saw the campaign for the Girls Night In and realised that this was something I could do to help," she said. "I originally planned to have a few of girlfriends over at my place, but my little idea had wings and with the help of friends and the support of companies like GAIA it has grown to into a major community event."

Local Resident and Managing Director of GAIA Skin Naturals, Michelle Vogrinec, is proud of the company’s long-standing support of the evening. "For us this is all about supporting the local community and all the families who have been touched by cancer," said Michelle. "One of our staff members has been directly affected by breast cancer which has made us even more aware and really brought the issue closer to home."

 

Tickets are available from Ritchies IGA in Emerald or online

Tickets are $10 which includes a glass of champagne or juice and finger food on arrival.

The night will be hosted by Warwick Merry with entertainment from Mood Swings Choir and local artists and there will be refreshments throughout the night, plus the opportunity for a massage and professional beauty treatments provided by HUSH Cosmetics Beauty Studio for a small donation.

There will be raffles, door prizes, heaps of new, second hand items, vouchers and services available in a silent auction that will go on throughout the evening and more donations are welcome. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Cancer Council’s women’s cancer projects. The first 200 ticket holders will also receive a GAIA gift bag.

All sales of GAIA products on the night will be donated to cancer research.

"As wives, mothers, sisters and friends we can turn our compassion from feeling powerless to doing something really powerful by focusing our efforts on funding research," said Michelle.

For further information about the event, please visit the Facebook page or www.emeraldcommunitygirlsnightin.org or phone Stephanie on 0458 995 504.

 

 

And in case you are new to GAIA – the GAIA Natural Baby was born out of a need by Melbourne mum, Michelle Vogrinec, when she couldn’t find suitable skincare products to care for her baby’s skin, who suffered from eczema and sensitivities - so she created them.

Designed to keep baby skin care simple, GAIA Natural Baby provides the basic items to gently care for baby’s everyday needs, without too much fuss. The products are also free from harsh soaps, sulphates, petrochemicals, phthalates, lanolin, talc, mineral oil, propylene glycol, paraben preservatives and artificial fragrance, making them eczema friendly. Not only are the products tailored for sensitive skin, they are made using certified organic ingredients to minimise dryness, calm sensitivities and provide gentle care for your little one’s skin at bath time and beyond.

Other GAIA brands include pure pregnancy, made for men and Skin+Body. And Let me tell you, the products are amazing, the GAIA Belly Butter and Belly Oil saw me though my recent pregnancy without a single stretchmark, and I am loving using the GAIA Baby products on my little baby boy, and the Grapefruit & JasmineBody Wash and Body Moisturiser smells absolutely divine.   

Do you live in the area, and going to attend the event and support this great cause? And please do share the details of this event with your friends.

Have you tried any of the products from GAIA?

Our Must-Have Baby Skincare Products

I can’t believe it, but it has now been six weeks since we welcomed our little boy into this world. Six weeks. How time has flown. And I cannot believe how much he has grown already, already weighing over 5 kilos, and that was in spite of being sick with the jaundice as well as spending a night in hospital with an infection. He is now too big for his newborn clothes and has jumped up a clothes size!

Exploring skincare for babies has been a complete new ballgame for me. Where do you start with so many different things and brands to choose from, what do you need, and what is just not necessary! Here are some of the baby skincare products that we’ve enjoyed using for the past six weeks;

Gaia Natural Baby Starter Kit

This Gaia Baby Starter Kit contains absolutely everything you need, with a 50ml bottle of each of the Baby Bath & Body Wash, Baby Shampoo, Baby Moisturiser, Skin Soothing Lotion and Baby Massage Oil.

 

I brought this pack with me to hospital when he was born, knowing I then wouldn’t have to worry about anything else in terms of skincare for our little boy. (Maybe I’ve been living under a rock, but I am still so surprised that you have to bring your own baby skincare products, baby wipes and nappies for the few days you are in hospital after birth – even at a private hospital!!) But on the positive, at least I felt confident that only the best products were being used on our little boy.

The Gaia products are natural and organic and contain certified organic ingredients including wheat germ oil, evening primrose oil, shea butter, lavender, camomile, aloe vera leaf extract, calendula and avocado oil. The products are formulated especially for delicate baby skin, and are suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitivities and irritations, making them eczema friendly.

The products are free from all the chemical nasties such as artificial fragrances, soap, sulphates, petrochemicals, mineral oils, lanolin, paraben preservatives, propylene glycol or phthalates, which I really like as these ingredients can often trigger dryness and irritations in baby skin.

And due to all the natural ingredients the products smell absolutely amazing, yet so gentle and far from overpowering.

At $19.95 for the small pack, you may think that it is a little expensive for such small bottles –but we have been using nothing but these products for 6 weeks now, and you can hardly see that the products have been used, that’s how concentrated they are, so definitely worth the money. I will definitely be buying these in full sized products when we run out.

While we love all the products, we particularly love the massage oil, which has a nice calming lavender scent, and the Bath and Body Wash which has the most gorgeous scent of orange.

RRP: $19.95 (5 x 50ml) – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies, supermarkets and health stores.

 

WotNot Biodegradable Baby Wipes

These baby wipes are natural and organic and contain Australian certified organic aloe vera to soothe delicate baby skin, as well as vitamin E to help heal and protect. The wipes have a generous large size and has just the right amount of wetness, not too dry and not too wet, and they are slightly thicker than most other wipes too. They are unscented, so perfect for the sensitive baby skin, as well as they are free from chlorine, sulphates, petrochemicals, parabens, caustics, glycols and artificial fragrances. The wipes come in a plastic pack with a resealable lid to ensure the wipes do not dry out.

 

I love the fact that these wipes are so gentle on my little boy’s bottom, and that they are not filled with chemical nasties. They are a little more expensive than other baby wipes available, and considering how many nappy changes you do during a day with a newborn, you do go through a pack of wipes rather quickly. But while he is still so little and his skin so sensitive, they are worth every cent.

RRP: $7.95 (80 wipes) – available from Eco Direct, select health stores and pharmacies

Sudocrem

Being pregnant you get a so-called Bounty Bag which is full of samples, magazines and helpful brochures. And when you have given birth, you get a second one tailored to a new parent. Trying the samples in these bags is a great way of trying new products without having to buy them all. One of the samples in the Bounty Bags was a small tub of Sudocrem, which is a cream to help nappy rash. Being admitted to hospital and having antibiotics intravenously, and following having antibiotics at home three times a day, clearly affected our little boy’s tummy, but still he never developed nappy rash, and I am convinced that it is due to the Sudacrem, which simply creates an invisible layer on the skin protecting it. This thick white cream has next to no scent, and in spite of being so thick is actually quite easy to rub in. It is very concentrated so only a little is used. Ok, I was lucky to get a few of these tiny tubs, but we’ve only just started using the second tub, which proves just how concentrated it is. Definitely a must have on the change table. I’ve already put it on the shopping list, definitely don’t want to run out of this stuff!!

RRP: $4.95 (30g), $8.53 (125g), $18.15 (250g) – Available from pharmacies and supermarkets

 

So there you have it, these are the products that we are so far enjoying using.

What about you, have you tried any of these products? And can you recommend others worth trying?