Baby shampoo vs head to toe wash?

Ace226 · January 2015

Okay, sorry for what may be a silly question. I tried googling but to no avail!
Is there any significant difference between the Johnson's shampoo and wash? I got the shampoo at our shower, and was considering exchanging for the head to toe, but if there's no significant difference I won't bother!

Angeldcf · January 2015

Not really. You need mild soap- shampoo works just as well as body wash.

With DS 4yr ago, there was an uproar about some chemicals in J&J (many same ones in our cosmetics). I switched to Aveeno and J&J Naturals for awhile as he had sensitive skin, and this helped. I realized he's exposed to so many chemicals in the real world so I'll pick my battles.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/johnson-and-johnson-removes-some-chemicals-from-baby-shampoo-other-products/

Smyers2girls · January 2015

Angeldcf said:
Not really. You need mild soap- shampoo works just as well as body wash.
With DS 4yr ago, there was an uproar about some chemicals in J&J (many same ones in our cosmetics). I switched to Aveeno and J&J Naturals for awhile as he had sensitive skin, and this helped. I realized he's exposed to so many chemicals in the real world so I'll pick my battles.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/johnson-and-johnson-removes-some-chemicals-from-baby-shampoo-other-products/

Yep. There was a lot of controversy about the chemicals in J&J when I had DD2 3 years ago. I bought Burt's bees baby products, and absolutely loved them! I'm using them this time too.

ETA: this is the newscast I saw that freaked me out about thier products. It was all over the news, but I'm still not sure if I believe it.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/chemicals-common-shampoos-soaps-lead-false-thc-results/story?id=16612794

maryxc1 · January 2015

I don't use Johnson's because DS's skin didn't do well with it. As far as shampoo vs an all in one, I use a seperate body wash and shampoo. I find that if I use an all in one on DS's hair, it is all puffy and weird.

chicagojackie · January 2015

Does everything need to be a chemicals debate on here?

It's a soap. Both of the soaps are soap, OP. You will put them on your kid and it will be fine or it won't (cause a rash maybe or you don't like the scent). Some kids are so rashy and rash prone it doesn't matter what soap you use they get all red and flaky.

Angeldcf · January 2015

@chicagojackie - I agree. I was FTM, and it was a blowup on our BMB. A few also freaked out posting to never use the lavender lotion on boys bc it will give them breasts pulled from some obscure "study." I had to imagine how much lotion would equate to the insanely high levels needed for gynecomastia. Regular Oragel would numb the backs of their throats and kill them so only use Oragel Naturals.

I've used J&J on him now along with whatever shampoo we have in the shower. But my kid also plays with bugs then wipes his nose, eats dirt and occasional Chick-fil-A. And I put plastic bowls in the microwave. We're screwed.

chicagojackie · January 2015

Angeldcf said:

@chicagojackie - I agree. I was FTM, and it was a blowup on our BMB. A few also freaked out posting to never use the lavender lotion on boys bc it will give them breasts pulled from some obscure "study." I had to imagine how much lotion would equate to the insanely high levels needed for gynecomastia. Regular Oragel would numb the backs of their throats and kill them so only use Oragel Naturals.
I've used J&J on him now along with whatever shampoo we have in the shower. But my kid also plays with bugs then wipes his nose, eats dirt and occasional Chick-fil-A. And I put plastic bowls in the microwave. We're screwed.

I FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR CHILDREN!!!

My daughter puts whatever in her mouth, eats off other people's plates, plays outside, falls down, and has been known to eat a McNugget. Thank god I make my own baby diapers, my own tampons, my own stuffed knitted anatomical stuffed animals (placenta anyone), my own laundry soap and got DD certified organic by Oregon Tilth at birth. It's okay to admit I'm a better mom than you! I know! Get behind my prius

Smyers2girls · January 2015

Angeldcf said:
@chicagojackie - I agree. I was FTM, and it was a blowup on our BMB. A few also freaked out posting to never use the lavender lotion on boys bc it will give them breasts pulled from some obscure "study." I had to imagine how much lotion would equate to the insanely high levels needed for gynecomastia. Regular Oragel would numb the backs of their throats and kill them so only use Oragel Naturals.
I've used J&J on him now along with whatever shampoo we have in the shower. But my kid also plays with bugs then wipes his nose, eats dirt and occasional Chick-fil-A. And I put plastic bowls in the microwave. We're screwed.

I was basically saying the same thing. Not debating anything. If you read the link that I posted from the out roar that started right before I had DD2, you'd see how ridiculous it is. I also said I really don't believe it. I just started using a different kind of soap when that came out and I ended up liking it better. I still use J&J on my two year old when I'm out of the expensive crap.

jknallen · January 2015

I'd just use the head to toe wash and take back the shampoo. (Which was your question I'm assuming. Not if you should use either or not).

That's what I've been using on my kids for the past 8 years.

You can also get the target brand and it is pretty much exactly the same thing. I do when they have it.

Another tip: get it in a pump bottle not a squeeze bottle. It's much easier to give them a bath when you don't need both hands to get out the soap.

Ace226 · January 2015

Thank you everyone for your help!

dreemkin84 · January 2015

Pump bottle all the way!

srcr2011 · January 2015

I use whatever, shampoo for body, bodywash for hair....as long as it doesn't burn his eyes, we are fine.

jennjilljo · January 2015

I used baby shampoo with DS. FTM mistake because the body wash works just as well and you can just buy a twin pack of the giant ones at Sam's or where ever.

kerrigrooves · January 2015

I have sensitive skin so I started DD with Aveeno gentle to be on the safe side and once she got older, I buy head to toe in whatever brand is on sale - but I try to stick to fragrance free. love the pump bottles too...

Dannylion24 · January 2015

I use the J&J premoistened disposable washcloths when the littles are just born bc I find it easiest not to have to struggle w a slippery bottle and a slippery bitty baby. Later I usually buy the J&J head to toe body wash in the pump bottle, but never noticed much difference shampoo v body wash, it's just a preference. My son has bad eczema so for a bit I used Aveeno, but it didn't really help. I stay away from anything w too much fragrance. Also, with my last baby i used to give her a bath almost every night as a newborn, but only used soaps every few nights. She loved the warm water and it calmed her down before bed, but the pediatrician said using soap every night would dry out her skin too much and too much lotion while so little wasn't good either. Just thought I'd share.

Not a stupid question, OP!

Edit; fat fingers hit send on mobile mid sentence

Beth.1212 · January 2015

chicagojackie said:

Does everything need to be a chemicals debate on here?
It's a soap. Both of the soaps are soap, OP. You will put them on your kid and it will be fine or it won't (cause a rash maybe or you don't like the scent). Some kids are so rashy and rash prone it doesn't matter what soap you use they get all red and flaky.

I agree that either would be fine, but there's nothing wrong with looking into the chemicals in the products that you use. Personally, I like to consider what EWG has to say.

Mommalawyer · January 2015

I really don't know. I'm incredibly OCD, so I buy both.....

cls78 · January 2015

I have only J & J products right now and will be trying that first.

I have both shampoo and the head to toe body wash.

flyster · January 2015

The nice thing about some of the chemical debates, is that if they get big enough some companies will change...J+J is actually working on reformulating (or already has) their baby stuff because of that controversy. So hopefully wins all around. Although we have to hope that doesn't mean something else/worse is in there....I was working in an import business when the government passed a law forbidding lead and a few other harmful chemicals in any products marketing to children under the age of 12. Good idea, except a number of Chinese manufacturers started using Cadmium instead, which was not outlawed. Always a loop hole

agm04 · January 2015

I plan to use unscented dr. bronners on body and hair, not because i'm scared of chemicals, but because it's the only inexpensive thing my sensitive skin tolerates in the winter so it's what we have and DD may have the same sensitivities anyway.

Want a personalized experience?

Baby shampoo vs head to toe wash?

Re: Baby shampoo vs head to toe wash?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards