Anyone using just regular lotion for belly?

Fergiegal · March 2014

I am using Aveeno's Body Lotion with colloidal oatmeal in it this time around. I used Curel with my first, and towards the end my skin became so itchy and dry bc my skin was stretching so much. Which is why I decided to do the Aveeno this time. The Colloidal oatmeal it has helps the itch. But, it's obviously not maternity lotion. You think it's okay if I use it on my belly? It has such a wonderful lavender scent. Sometimes the maternity lotions have some odd or unpleasant smells...

jbeltran10 · March 2014

I bought this $15.00 Lotion at a store called Motherhood. It's called Sanctuary Spa. It works fantastic! because I'm a first time mom I read about the way my body should be changing apparently I should have stretch marks by now and my body should be itchy. Well I have no stretch marks yet my body doesn't itch and best of all the lotion smells fantastic no gross smells and the scent is not strong. Another thing that lotion looks like it's going to last me trough my whole pregnancy and still have some for the next pregnancy. $15 well spent I think oh and it is also for your breast too not just for your belly.

Cat&S · March 2014

I also think lotion is lotion, and no lotion will stop you from getting stretch marks. I'm using cheapo Target brand lotion that cost $4.

YTLCNURSE · March 2014

I agree with PPs. Lotion is lotion. It's not gonna harm your baby.

marathonmommy82 · March 2014

Whatever is in the bathroom

beccam1230 · March 2014

Yep.. use whatever lotion you can find. Also... I didn't use lotion on a regular basis by any means and I have no stretch marks. Lotion won't prevent them.

boymomstrong · March 2014

I use coconut oil, but i use it not pregnant too... And stretch marks are genitic, so you cant stop them but the itching is annoying... Good luck!

amleona2 · March 2014

I'm using a mix of Almond Oil and Almond lotion on my belly (almonds help restore the elasticity in your skin). It keeps the itching away and at 27 weeks I've yet to see any signs of stretch marks...and it smells yummy. Triple win!

allrightmeow · March 2014

I use Burt's Bees Mama oil or something. I love the smell and it makes my hands super soft.

darkangel42 · March 2014

With my first, I had a bottle of Palmers cocoa butter (the pregnancy specific one) which I haven't seen outside of the UK. More often than not, I forgot it and didn't end up with stretch marks but it's been said already, it's in your genes whether you get them or not.

This time, I'm not doing anything different. I use moisturising bath products (currently using The Body Shop's olive bath and shower range) and rub my belly when I'm in the bathtub but more because it's comforting than for my skin. I did the same with my first (using Lush's butterball bath bombs) and found it relaxing.

You won't do baby any damage using normal lotion but you won't prevent stretch marks either although you'll smell lovely!

khaalid00 · March 2014

Any lotion is good as long as you moisturize your belly and body. I use thick shea butter cream from bath and body and use a generous amount on my belly, breasts, inner and other thigh, and left and right side of belly. The rest of the body I use my regular unscented Lubriderm lotion. The heavy lotion is GREAT for dry stubborn skin especially during the dry winter months here in the East Coast. Helps relieve itching and use lotion after a warm shower....damp skin dry before applying lotion. Drinks lots of water! Stay hydrated helps big time from the inside out.

greeneyed_bride · March 2014

jbeltran10 said:

I bought this $15.00 Lotion at a store called Motherhood. It's called Sanctuary Spa. It works fantastic! because I'm a first time mom I read about the way my body should be changing apparently I should have stretch marks by now and my body should be itchy. Well I have no stretch marks yet my body doesn't itch and best of all the lotion smells fantastic no gross smells and the scent is not strong. Another thing that lotion looks like it's going to last me trough my whole pregnancy and still have some for the next pregnancy. $15 well spent I think oh and it is also for your breast too not just for your belly.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I didn't get stretch marks until 37-ish weeks. Not having them in your second trimester is not proof of anything.

poppyboo483 · March 2014

I agree, lotion is lotion. I just use my regular everyday lotion. Works just fine.

Unknown · March 2014

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coffee89 · March 2014

I use what I can find. Some days it is fancy nice smelling stuff, other days it is coco butter lotion. As long as your skin doesn't get irritated, lotion is lotion. It's for your comfort that you use it. Nothing really will stop stretch marks, some women are very prone to it (first stretch mark at 16 weeks for me) and some won't get them at all.

"maturnity" lotion is a fancy label they slap on to be able to charge you more than you should.

The only thing I've found that even remotely helps with stretch marks is a vitamin-E oil such as bio oil. It doesn't make them go away or stop but they are slightly less noticeable. I only tried it because I had some laying around from trying to fade some scars.

MississippiCatfish · March 2014

I didn't get any stretch marks with my first PG, and I only applied lotion to my belly a handful of times. I'm in the camp that it's mainly genetic and you can't prevent what's destined to happen. With that said, I DO believe that being well-hydrated will encourage skin elasticity, so drink lots of water.

dneeliya · March 2014

I discovered eczema on the side of my belly running from below my breast to near my belly button when I was around 16 weeks pregnant. I showed it to my dr. and he said to just keep applying lotion. I've been using coconut oil in the shower from before I was pregnant and then in addition to the coconut oil, Shea butter all over my belly and thighs from after about 3 weeks. That obviously did not stop the eczema. So as soon as I conferred with the Dr., I went and got myself the Aveeno body wash for sensitive/eczema prone skin and that has helped my itchy skin tremendously.

I am now over 21 weeks pregnant and there's no sign of a stretch mark YET. One can hope!!

Good luck

LucilleAustero · March 2014

I use coconut oil. There is no lotion on the plane that penetrates deep enough into the dermis to prevent stretch mark. You can save yourself a few bucks from buying more expensive lotions that promise no stretch marks.

My belly gets super itchy during pregnancy and coconut oil really helps. I also like smelling coconutty.

CandiMil · March 2014

I always moisturize, pregnant or not. I use baby oil gel after every bath before I dry off and have been using the Motherhood Maternity oil and lotion to lock in the moisture this winter. I also lotion up everyday with cocoa butter lotion...Im never dry.

NerdyMom2 · March 2014

I was using Aveeno but I recently switched to palmers and I love it, I got concerned about the high percentage of dimethicone in Aveeno (but thats just me I worry about everything) and everybody told me its fine, and in case I get strech marks, I dont wanna regret not using a lotion that is specifically for stretch marks.

roxyu · March 2014

I used Palmer's very early in my first pregnancy and developed the WORST rash ever! I use Lubriderm normally, so I went back to that. Stretch marks are definitely genetic. I am petite, had very large babies (9lbs), was absolutely huge and was fortunate not to get any stretch marks, My friend had a 6 pounder and she has a much longer torso and got awful stretch marks.

tealowl · March 2014

I ran out of my dollar store lotion last week, and have been using Ponds cold cream all over me.

jrowan422 · March 2014

I've just been using whatever lotion I happen to have handy. I also use BioOil (you can get it in Walmart in the same spot you'd find Neosporin and Mederma) at night after I shower. It says it can be used for stretch marks and dehydrated skin, though I initially bought it because it's supposed to help reduce the appearance of scars, like the ones I have from my laparoscopy. I don't know if it'll actually do anything about preventing stretch marks, but my skin isn't quite so itchy. I also know some people swear by cocoa butter.