If you're looking for the best baby products to cleanse, moisturize, brush, suck, or trim, here are my top picks for the medicine cabinet:
1. OGBaby Organic Moisture Oil and Breathe Free Organic Aroma Rub // OGBaby Moisture Oil is one of the simplest and most natural moisturizers for newborns. It contains only six ingredients and one of them, sunflower oil, has been identified by John Hopkins researchers as the best oil to support early skin development in infants.
The Aroma Rub is an all-natural, petroleum-free vapor rub that's gentle enough to use on infants (and moms). The company also makes a great Breathe Free Gentle Soap that uses the natural aromatherapy of tea tree oil and eucalyptus to help clear congestion in the bath.
2. Jack N' Jill Natural Toothpaste and Green Sprouts Silicone Toothbrush // Jack N' Jill toothpaste is free of fluoride, sugar, dyes, SLS and preservatives. It is rich in non-GMO xylitol, contains organic calendula to soothe gums, and tastes pretty amazing (though I can only vouch for the banana flavor). It also comes in a BPA-free recyclable tube, is made in Australia, and scored a zero safety rating on EWG's Skin Deep Database. I honestly cannot find anything wrong with this toothpaste, maybe with the exception that xylitol is highly toxic to dogs, so be sure to keep this out of reach of your furry friends.
The Green Sprouts toothbrush is made of nitrosamine-free silicone-coated polypropylene and is so dearly loved by M that she rarely lets go when it's time to stop brushing her teeth.
3. Natural Bristle Baby Hairbrush // This German-made hairbrush boasts a natural wooden handle and all natural bristles, making it incredibly soft and gentle on baby's sensitive scalp.
4. Sweetsation Therapy Organic Calendula Butter Cream // Ideal for very dry, distressed baby skin, especially the eczema-prone. This thick, luxurious cream contains hydrating and nurturing ingredients like aloe, avocado oil, and cocoa, shea, and mango butters. It also smells good enough to eat, like apricot-chocolate, if such a thing were to exist.
5. Arm and Hammer Simply Saline Spray + Nosefrida Aspirator // the one-two punch for clearing baby's congestion: spray, then suck. The Nosefrida is far superior to other aspirators, as it is non-invasive, easy to clean, and most importantly: works incredibly well. I know the thought of sucking snot out of your baby's nose with your mouth sounds pretty gross, but don't worry, there is a filter to prevent anything from getting into the mouth piece, plus the chances of snot getting that far through the tube are pretty slim.
6. Unscented Boogie Wipes // Saline wipes that gently dissolve mucus and moisturize the delicate skin around baby's nose. These are quite large and can be easily torn into three smaller wipes.
7. Original Sprout Scrumptious Baby Cream and Sweet Baby Organics Unscented Lotion // Original Sprout Scrumptious Baby Cream is not just an all-natural, vegan moisturizer with a light, beautiful fragrance, it's also infused with non-nano zinc for environmental protection. If that's not enough of a bonus, the cream also contains rosemary, which calms and soothes sensitive skin and is a natural deterrent to lice and insects.
If you're looking for a fragrance-free lotion, Sweet Baby Organics Unscented Lotion is the purest lotion I have come across. The rich, creamy formula absorbs instantly and makes skin feel like silk.
8. Zo-li Baby Nail File // When M was a newborn I was terrified that I was going to accidentally cut her tiny fingers with the nail clippers. In retrospect, it was far easier to trim her nails when she was an stationary blob than it is now that she is mobile and opinionated. But for hesitant, new moms like myself, the Zo-li electric nail file was a life saver: M's nails always looked perfectly manicured and there were no tears or injuries.
9. Pigeon Nail Scissors and Nail Clippers // I did finally graduate to the Pigeon Nail Scissors and Nail Clippers. Both are easy to use as long as M is partially restrained or glued to the television. The scissors are great to use with a younger baby, and the clippers for when they are a bit older. Both use very sharp blades which allows for a clear, precise cut, and the clippers don't have that annoying plastic piece around the blades that makes it hard to see where you're clipping.
10. Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer // I have to admit, I'm still a little squeamish about sticking a thermometer up my baby's you-know-what. I opted for the professional accuracy of this Braun ear thermometer instead.
11. Baby Organic Talc-free Coconut Baby Powder // No talc or chemicals, just all natural arrowroot powder mixed with organic coconut powder.