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Baby smell?

JenLeanoJenLeano member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Today, the MIL that I live with just 'lectured' me on what my baby is supposed to "smell" like. She said, "A baby is supposed to smell like a baby all the time." She went on to mention bathing him twice a day.

I have a 2 month old and he bathes 2-3 times a week. MIL actually thinks he bathes daily like she wants. I pretend to bathe him before she actually gets a chance to do so -- i've tried talking to her about it already & that only caused problems so this was my solution to avoid any further conflict. Anyways, her ideal "baby scent" is that of those heavily scented baby products (ie: detergents, soap, lotions, & powder). I'm currently using California Baby's Super Sensitive Shampoo & Body Wash on my son, it's unscented and organic. It doesn't leave my son with that "baby scent" but it leaves him smelling like him. You know, before all his nasties come out. (:

So what's everyone else's ideal "baby scent"? do you guys like your babies natural or covered in scented products? 

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Re: Baby smell?

  • CilleyCilley
    Um...if a baby is suppose to smell like a baby, you don't give them a bath! To me, a baby smell is like cheese! The milk that they drink makes them smell that way no matter how much you bathe them, IMO.
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  • JenLeanoJenLeano member
    I agree with that. I like the way my baby smells on his own.
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  • JUSTBEYOURSELFJUSTBEYOURSELF member

    I would tell your mil that a baby per most Pediatricians tell you to only give a baby a bath every other day. yes as they get older more to the toddler stage then every night would be more okay. 

    Babies smell all different. I am not so sure of babies supposed to smell like cheese?... Mine you might smell her hair of her jj shampoo. I too use CA baby products but I like the way jj shampoo smells so her hair is the only product that is not CA baby for her bath/lotions. the only ca baby product that I have that has a scent is the calming bubble bath.

    I think my baby smells like the fresh scent of the pampers wipes we use. also the thick ones smell like suntan lotion.  

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  • SarahRae812SarahRae812

    Tell her that most artificial fragrances and perfumes contain toxic chemicals that are linked to cancer.

    I like my baby to smell healthy. We use California Baby & Burt's Bees. 

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  • Kvitale87Kvitale87
    That is ridiculous! If it will help pacify her I would just sprinkle his outfit with a little baby powder for scent. That is if you wish to avoid harsh words but if you are willing to have a fight you might have to raise your voice and lay down the law. I think all of the grandparents anymore think they know best for us and out LOs and really need to be reminded of their role to help us and not make our lives harder.
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  • aichandaichaichandaich member

    Yeah such backwards thinking... we are a natural family too. Agree with PPs print out the toxic reports for the baby products your MIL likes best.

    Argument ender for sure.

    ETA: natural family... and by this my brain meant to say we use as much natural products as possible... natural family - oh the joys of having a newborn.

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  • meg1974meg1974 member
    I like the way DD smells all on her own. I don't use scented products on the advice of my pedi (and the hospital, and everything I've read) b/c they can cause irritation. I bathe every 2 or 3 days, also on the advice of the pedi and the hospital. If you bathe more often it will dry out their skin. You don't need to bathe daily until they are crawling and getting dirty.


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  • daisytoaddaisytoad
    We use the Burt's Bees unfragranced and I love the smell!  It smells like almond oil and other yummy things.  A bit of the lotion on her back keeps her smelling wonderful all day.Wink
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  • LPJB717LPJB717

    I love the way my babies smell, mostly like milk and...well, milk I guess.  No need to cover that up, especially with products that could be irritating at best and toxic at worst.

    Why would a BABY need to bathe twice a day?  Does MIL bathe twice a day??

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  • JenLeanoJenLeano member

    YUP, from everything i've learn in nursing school, from doctors and nurses, and other mothers, they all say the same thing... that babies don't need to bathe daily because they aren't dirty and any lotions, powders, etc, (scented or not) can irritate baby's sensitive skin. but well, she's a difficult person to talk to when you're telling her she's wrong. she likes to believe she knows more than you.

    i'll look up those toxic reports and show her one day. thanks for that advice.

    about the bathing, she wants him to bathe daily and even suggests twice a day so that he will "feel fresh." honestly, a wipe down with a washcloth can do the same -- not that it's necessary. when i told her that i'd bathe my son every other day at most, she got my FIL (who already agreed that every other day was good enough) to have a long talk with me about bathing my son daily. his excuse was the same, to "feel fresh."

    reason why i can't exactly argue with her about this right now is coz we've moved into her home. she's planning on retiring soon so she'll be leaving the country when she does and we'll be taking over her business. in the end everything works out. it's just the NOW that makes living together difficult. 

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  • SarahRae812SarahRae812

    Great resource to help evaluate the personal care products you bring into your house. 

    https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

     

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  • Jake Ian's MommyJake Ian's Mommy member
    I only give my daughter a bath once a week...unless she pukes all over herself. Babies don't need a lot of baths, they smell good without them! I love the milky baby smell. :] And I use the same soap for her too!


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  • BryelleSullivanBryelleSullivan member
    Geez she needs to leave you alone, I cant believe she would go as far as bathing your child! what nerve!!
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  • bethybjj2bethybjj2
    imageSarahRae812:

    Tell her that most artificial fragrances and perfumes contain toxic chemicals that are linked to cancer.

    I like my baby to smell healthy. We use California Baby & Burt's Bees. 

     

    We use CA-Baby products too. I switched to paraben-free lauryl-sulfate free etc. beauty products when I became pregnant. 

    This is just one link on the not so great ingredients of JJ baby products:

     https://www.natural-soap-making.com/johnson-and-johnson-baby-soap.html

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