For the first two January’s of Pea’s life, she suffered from horrible eczema. We took her to a dermatologist who specialized in children and she, of course, prescribed steroid creams. We didn’t use them. It was just a personal decision based on what we knew that they would do to her skin, after prolonged use. But the doctor also gave us a very long list of creams and lotions to try and I went out and bought them all. No kidding, about $150 in creams and lotions from the drugstore. How’s that for anxious first-time parenting? Anyway, I was so desperate to make her skin healthy and soft and smooth and was determined that if one cream didn’t work, there was going to be a stable of others to try.
Pea outgrew the eczema. I think that’s pretty common. But now Coco is suffering with some rough patches on her back. I’m sure it’s from having the heat on in the house, coupled with the cold and dry air outside. We made the switch, temporarily, to a fragrance-free shampoo by California Baby so that after I wash her hair (bathing is a nightly ritual for both girls in our home), she’s not soaking in a tub of fragranced suds. But the real quest for me was to find a cream that would soothe her skin. Once eczema really sets in, it’s just so difficult to tame and I’m really determined to find an alternative to those topical steroid creams. I’ve been using Baby Balm on those rough patches, but now I’m also noticing the dryness on the backs of her arms and legs. About one week ago, I found a bottle of Burt’s Bees Apricot Oil, and have been using that religiously, every night after her bath and before bed, as the oil for her baby massage, making certain to rub it in especially well on the dry areas. It smells incredible and more importantly, I think it’s doing the trick. I noticed this morning that her skin wasn’t as scratchy as it’s been the past few days. I know it’s futile to obsess about perfect baby skin, but I’m a mama…
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Have you heard about shielding lotion? It’s a new kind of lotion on the market that is getting some pretty amazing results with eczema. It is recommended by dermatologists. Take a look at the before and after pics on their website .http://www.skinmdnatural.com. I use if on my elbows and it has cleared up the eczema.
Once he had the death of celebrities smack into her, he seamed it into place. One evening, partner after I had finished a shower, celebrity fit club 4 winner molded me to her room.
I know this is a bit after the fact, but if the eczema pops back up, a good thing to try is chamomile essential oil in mineral (or coconut) oil. Mix one drop of chamomile oil per tablespoon of mineral or coconut oil, and apply the mix before bed. The chamomile will soothe the area, and the other oil will provide intense moisturizing. I use this stuff on everyone, from myself, to my niece, to my dog, even. It’s fabulous, and completely natural.
My daughter had eczema from the time she was born (like both her parents!) and after trying every natural product out there, I finally caved and put Curel (which is the only thing that ever worked on either of us) on her. In two days it had almost completely cleared up. Now I put it on twice a week, after her bath and it is totally under control. A tiny bit rubbed into damp skin goes a long way. The cradle cap is WAY better too. Hope this helps someone!
I love the Burts Bees apricot oil. My son had a horrible, flaky scalp when he was a baby & into toddlerhood. The apricot oil really helped! His older sister also had the same problem, and that was before Burts Bees was around. So I used olive oil on her head. It also worked very well, but I always wanted to toss her with pasta.
My little boy has dry skin issues as well. We live in the north east and it’s really cold and dry here in the winter. My Dr. recommended (as a non steriod option) using
100% Lanolin cream/ointment. I got some at our natural foods store and it’s excellent! Good luck.
My children also suffered from eczema as babies. My first born was the worst case of all of them. Our doctor also suggested the steroid creams at the time and I also had issues with using that on the baby so he suggested using Eucerin cream and not bathing her every night. The bathing dries out the skin even more. So, I would bathe her every other night and I would apply the Eucerin cream and it really helped her. They did end up growing out of the eczema as well but there is nothing you can do to make the dry skin go away. They still have dry skin to this day.
Thanks for the apricot oil tip! We will try it! My sons both get red, dry, wind-burned cheeks after being outside for just minutes in the winter…Aquaphor has worked for us but I hear you on the petroleum thing. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Donna,
I LOVE AQUAPHOR! It is a miracle salve. It does have petroleum in it, so we’re trying to phase it out in an effort to be “gentler on the environement,” but I have huge tubs and tubes of it all over the house and figure it would be kinder to finish them than just throw them away.
I have a little girl from China who has HORRIBLE dry patches. The only thing we have found that works is that ultra thick Acquaphor. I don’t know if it has petroleum. I am definitely going to try some of the Burt’s Bee’s.
Donna
Hi there! The Little Dude has experience some very minor skin issues, and we’ve used Cetaphil cream – it seems to work pretty well, but I don’t know about the ingredients in it! Maybe I should be better about that.
And just to torture myself, how balmy is it down there today?
Chelsea –
The Curel actually has petrolatum in it, which is on my list of no-no ingredients right now. It’s a shame because I really think it’s the best for anyone with super-dry skin. I’m hoping this oil will do the trick, otherwise it’s back to the drawing board for me… and maybe even back to the Curel.
The Burt’s Bees apricot oil is the BEST! I’ve been using it for about 10 years on my own skin (and I shave with it as well!!) and I started using it on the dry patches that my kids get as well. It’s really wonderful and smells SO yummy!
Hope you’re doing well!!
=)
Meredith
I remember you saying that you used Curel…Did it not work as well this time around? Does it have non-green ingredients? That Apricot Oil sounds fantastic, though!