What have you been using on your tummy during pregnancy? I've been using the original Palmer's cocoa butter lotion, but I was curious what others are using. Will you continue to use it for awhile after LO is born?
Thanks for any input!
<Lurking from 2nd Tri> I've been using bio oil, Palmer's belly butter for stretch marks, and Palmer's skin therapy oil. In fact I'm gonna go "butter up" right now!
I switch back and forth between Palmer's (the original, cocoa butter one) and a Jergens Shea Butter one. No stretch marks at 29 weeks- despite my Mom having LOTS of them!
Mother's Special Blend (you can find it at the natural food stores or
Whole Paycheck). I like that I can actually identify all ingredients easily and that it's more like massage oil, so I don't feel like I have to pull on already stretched skin.
It does a whiz-bang job at soothing the fresh-stretched rawness of stretch marks. Also helped a ton with
itchy/rashy skin
I fully intend to use it after LO is born for a little while.
It depends on the day! Most of the time I alternate between Vitamin E Oil (store brand) and Burt's Bees Belly Balm. I also like to use Lush's massage bars but none of these have stopped the stretch marks!
I've been using Palmer's Body Oil twice a day and I really like it because it absorbs quickly...not too sure about it preventing stretch marks. I'm only 29 weeks along and I don't have any, but I understand that this can change.
I'm using the same. Earlier on I used Bio oil but I just couldn't get over the cost of it...too expensive to me! I plan to use the butter anywhere I feel itchy...that stuck rocks!
EDD 1/31/13, MC May 17. EDD 3/31/13, MC July 26. I miss you so much already my angel loves
I switch back and forth between Palmer's (the original, cocoa butter one) and a Jergens Shea Butter one. No stretch marks at 29 weeks- despite my Mom having LOTS of them!
Lurking from 2nd Tri: Keep it up, you're not in the clear yet. My BFF was showing me hers the other day. She didn't have any stretch marks her entire pregnancy... until she delivered. That baby will be 2 at the end of this month and she still looks like she was mauled by a tiger; long, red, and all. I'm using baby oil with shea and cocoa butter in the morning and alternating the belly creams I got for Christmas at night. My mom never got any so here's hoping for good genes!
I found out in a not so super way that I'm allergic to the Palmers stuff (hello rash), so I've been using a combination of Sarna lotion for the itch (also moisturizes) and Lubriderm.
I alternate vitamin E oil and this fantastic homemade hemp butter....All natural (no parabens, chemicals, etc.) it is buttery and soaks right in (plus it is really inexpensive!!!)
Palmers Cocoa Butter, Tummy Butter. It comes in a huge tub, it absorbs well and smells great. I use it on more than just my tummy though, as cocoa butter is great for your skin regardless of pregnancy.
I received an oil (I think its Mamas brand?) as a gift, and HATED how greasy it was. I felt like it was everywhere by the time I was done, and took forever to absorb.
I have been using Palmer's as well. No belly stretch marks after 1 baby and 38 weeks of being pregnant with baby #2 -- despite my mom and sister having tons of them.
I'm using Cocoa Butter Body Butter or Vitamin E Body Butter from the Body Shop. I tried the Palmer's Cocoa Butter, but the smell of it really bothered me for some reason.
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
I use a giant Costco tub of Cetaphil. It's what I used last time, every morning when i get out of the shower. And I put a TON on....
I didn't get any stretch marks last time (i know they're genetic, but it doesn't hurt to try) so I continue to use it religiously this time as well. nothing yet....
My MW the other day said 'Your stomach is always so soft!' so i told her about the massive amounts of Cetaphil cream I put on it every day because i live in fear of stretch marks. She said 'yeah, but stretch marks technically come from the inside out....so lotion really isn't going to help. It's all about genetics and weight gain'. To which I replied 'well, my stomach never itches...so it's still a win in my book'.
The smell of Palmers IGNITED my morning sickness, and now I can't even go near the stuff without feeling slightly nauseous. I was amazed at what coca butter SHOULD smell like since I always assumed that it smelled like Palmers.
Stretch marks are part genetics, but part a few other factors as well, such as diet and how much weight you gain. Taking care of your skin is important in order to decrease your chance of stretch marks, to improve comfort and to reduce itchiness. Not to mention it is nice to pamper yourself while pregnant.
Doula, mama and student prego with number 2. Yay!
www.endeavorsin.com
Re: Recommend your belly lotion.
Mother's Special Blend (you can find it at the natural food stores or Whole Paycheck). I like that I can actually identify all ingredients easily and that it's more like massage oil, so I don't feel like I have to pull on already stretched skin.
It does a whiz-bang job at soothing the fresh-stretched rawness of stretch marks. Also helped a ton with itchy/rashy skin
I fully intend to use it after LO is born for a little while.EDD 1/31/13, MC May 17. EDD 3/31/13, MC July 26. I miss you so much already my angel loves
Aura Cacia Coca Butter
https://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=aura+cocoa+butter&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=7795105531989066165&ei=ooItTaPsKYSq8AamnfiWCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCgQ8wIwAg#
Mother' Special Blend Oil
Origins Perfect World Hydrating Cream
https://www.origins.com/product/3814/10249/Bath-Body/Daily-Essentials/Body-Moisturizers/A-Perfect-World/Intensely-hydrating-body-cream-with-White-Tea/index.tmpl
and I put Vitamin E oil on when I am soaking in the tub or shower.
I have yet to experience any sort of itchiness or stretch marks.
I use an all natural shea butter or cocoa butter from my local health food store - whatever is on sale. It's like greasing up a pig. lol
I don't like using chemicals on my skin, so I prefer something that is 100% natural.
I alternate vitamin E oil and this fantastic homemade hemp butter....All natural (no parabens, chemicals, etc.) it is buttery and soaks right in (plus it is really inexpensive!!!)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/65482471/hemp-seed-butter-2-oz
feels great and I don't see any marks (37 wks tomorrow), but I am so scared to see what I really look like after she comes!!!!
Palmers Cocoa Butter, Tummy Butter. It comes in a huge tub, it absorbs well and smells great. I use it on more than just my tummy though, as cocoa butter is great for your skin regardless of pregnancy.
I received an oil (I think its Mamas brand?) as a gift, and HATED how greasy it was. I felt like it was everywhere by the time I was done, and took forever to absorb.
I use a giant Costco tub of Cetaphil. It's what I used last time, every morning when i get out of the shower. And I put a TON on....
I didn't get any stretch marks last time (i know they're genetic, but it doesn't hurt to try) so I continue to use it religiously this time as well. nothing yet....
My MW the other day said 'Your stomach is always so soft!' so i told her about the massive amounts of Cetaphil cream I put on it every day because i live in fear of stretch marks. She said 'yeah, but stretch marks technically come from the inside out....so lotion really isn't going to help. It's all about genetics and weight gain'. To which I replied 'well, my stomach never itches...so it's still a win in my book'.
I second this! It is a fantastic moisturizer and I'll definitely use it post-baby during the dry winter months.
The smell of Palmers IGNITED my morning sickness, and now I can't even go near the stuff without feeling slightly nauseous. I was amazed at what coca butter SHOULD smell like since I always assumed that it smelled like Palmers.
Stretch marks are part genetics, but part a few other factors as well, such as diet and how much weight you gain. Taking care of your skin is important in order to decrease your chance of stretch marks, to improve comfort and to reduce itchiness. Not to mention it is nice to pamper yourself while pregnant.