Waterless Baby Bath

Johnson and Johnson won't like this "Old Wives Tale Tuesday" post...it's all about taking care of babies skin naturally, with bare bones products.  Many new parents are cautious about what they put on their perfect new baby.  Some people only want to use doctor recommended products because they believe that their doctor has done the research and knows best, and others want to go all natural...well, this old wives tale has withstood the test of time. 

"Rubbing coconut or olive oil on your baby morning and night will beautify their skin and boost their immunity."  We called it the olive oil bath, growing up (we used olive oil because coconut oil wasn't as readily available, but now I use coconut oil).  Many parents have a nighttime bath routine...this is a good alternative, which saves time, laundry and water.  It does not replace baths all together, but spreads it out so that you can easily go a week between.  Let's face it, babies aren't sweating and smelly and don't play around in anything that would cause them to get dirty enough to merit a daily bath, but if that is what you use to train them for good hygiene later, or to calm them for bed...then keep doing what you are doing.

Babies are born with a natural skin protectant called vernix (I actually know people who hang out in delivery rooms and rub the vernix all over their own dry hands and elbows to heal cracks and rashes).  Society tells us that we must wash it all off immediately, but instinct tells me to keep it on as long as possible (wipe away any blood or meconium, of course).  The theory with this old wives tale is that rubbing the baby with the oil will help the body naturally absorb this coating, giving the skin a really good foundation.  Coconut oil is a natural antibiotic and helps boost the babies immunity.  I love the smell, but if the oil is a bit rancid be prepared for a baby that smells like sour milk.  I have found that as you gently massage in the oil it calms the baby and helps it to naturally bond to the caregiver giving the bath.  I haven't been as consistent as some of my siblings, but I humbly say that I am impressed with the clarity and natural glow of my children's skin.  I love it because I don't spend a lot of money on products that I can't explain all the ingredients, and my babies all love to get their clothes changed. 

So...wives tale or not, I believe that giving a quick coconut or olive oil bath as I change my children's clothes in the morning and night saves me time and creates beautiful results.