So yes, my grandnephew is growing way too fast-and before we knew it, turned 3 months old! Seems like just the other day that we were looking at the newborn in wonder, a newborn who had braved it into this world on Sept 11 when we had those Bangalore riots. Sometimes I think that if I went to sleep and woke up, I'll find that my son graduated (3.5 years left for that), my grandnephew turned teenager, and all the kids I know now, would be smart adults talking their heads off while I listen, enchanted.
But nothing holds one's attention like a baby in the house! I mean, life revolves around her/him and our schedules are determined by them. We propose, they simply scrap that plan and make an exciting new one! Sometimes we wish they never grew up, and sometimes . . . Ha ha!
It is true that when we are tuned in, we noticed all the things we're looking for. The management experts call it selective perception. You know, there'll be car ads all over the place and we'll ignore them, until we decide to buy one-and then all we'll see are the car ads. Nice law of life, eh?
I thought I was past going ga-ga over babycare products, (no, I am not. I gush over all the baby ads!), but with new life springing up in our family, naturally we all have to share tips and opinions and what's-best-for-baby. I love it!
And so it was super-exciting when my friend Ghazal launched Mamaearth, Asia's first Made Safe certified brand for babycare products on December 5. I knew she was working overtime to get all the necessary approvals, registrations, and all the activity that goes into creating a world-class toxin-free mum-baby friendly brand done-nevertheless, when D-day arrived, we were thrilled! You can read the story behind why she launched her brand.
I couldn't wait to see the babycare range-and imagine my pleasant surprise when I received a super-cute kit with the following:
- Natural insect repellent (going to give it to my son!)
- Diaper rash cream for babies
- Soothing massage oil for babies (loving it!)
- Moisturizing daily lotion for babies
- mineral based sunscreen for babies
You will agree that in the current scenario for babycare products, Moms are especially careful about what they choose for their little ones. I also wrote a post about reading the label on everything you use, especially baby products, because I was so agitated about something that day.
Why the Mamaearth brand is uniqueMamaearth is a brand by a parent for the parent. When Ghazal and Varun, founders of Mamaearth, were looking for safe babycare products for their little one, they were sad to find that almost every major brand came with toxins as one of their ingredients. So they decided to be the change-and the result?
Mamaearth because #MamaKnowsBest
They've gone to great lengths to ensure that their products are TOXIN FREE - because obviously all parents want the safest, and the best for their precious ones. And all parents want to give their babies a healthy headstart!
The present Mamaearth product range consists of:- Deeply nourishing body wash for babies
- Moisturizing daily lotion for babies
- Natural insect repellent
- Diaper rash cream for babies
- Soothing massage oil for babies
- gentle cleansing shampoo for babies
- mineral based sunscreen for babies
There's more in the pipeline-including a range for moms and moms-to-be.
I was especially interested in the massage oil and insect repellent.
Massage oil-mainly because it is winter and there's nothing like a good massage to keep that baby skin supple and soft and healthy, and insect repellent, because who wants a baby to be kissed by a critter? Also, we have to be very careful about what we use to keep insects away-especially when we live in an area with lots of trees. Since the past week, we've also been having intermittent showers, which means all those creatures will be out dancing in the rain, and looking for a snack. We want neither ourselves or our babies to be that snack, eh?
So before I tried it on baby skin, I decided to use the massage oil and insect repellent on myself first to see how they felt.I am using them, and I find both good. I have super-sensitive skin that is also dry, and am currently fighting an insect bite, so I was glad to try these two first. The products feel light, very gently fragrant-smells great-and yes, it is a pretty pack!
Let me tell you about the massage oil first.
I would be the first to endorse massage time for babies. My son thrived on it and gurgle delightfully when we massaged him. We used sesame oil and coconut oil in alternation. Even now, when he visits, he loves the cuddling and a relaxing head massage. I am happy to see that Mamaearth's soothing massage oil for babies is has a natural blend of pure almond, sesame, jojoba and olive oil-an effective and proven combo for glowing, healthy skin.
The oil is made from 100% natural cold-pressed and essential oils. It does NOT contain mineral oils, toxins, petroleum byproducts, preservatives, colors or fragrances-these have no place in baby products.
Together, sesame, olive, jojoba and sweet almond oil are like a protective armor on baby's skin, promoting bone and muscle health, peaceful sleep and healthy supple skin. Why this combo?
- Sesame oil has vitamin E, and minerals such as copper, zinc, and calcium which help bone growth and development. I know for a fact that sesame oil is beneficial for babies (and you and me).
- Olive oil, with its healthy fats, phenolic anti-oxidant Vitamin E, squalene and oleic acids, is excellent as a skin moisturizer, and keeps the skin healthy, besides promoting bone and muscle health. (I urge you to try it on your skin. Like silk!)
- Jojoba oil moisturizes, relieves itchy skin, maintains the skin's texture, preventing it from becoming too dry or oily. Its anti-bacterial properties soothe irritated skin and prevent inflammation.
- Sweet Almond Oil is a light, natural emollient to soften and nourish skin, without clogging skin pores. It moisturizes, relieves itchy skin and keeps off eczema, psoriasis and other skin infections and allergies.
When my son was an infant, we would keep a dish of water with camphor in it to keep off insects, especially during the rainy season. But when babies grow up, and start going exactly where you tell them not to, they need protection, right? Mosquitoes, gnats and flies co-exist with us.
Mamaearth's natural insect repellent is DEET free, 100% natural and toxin-free. It comes with the power of natural cold-pressed, essential aromatic oils like Citronella, Peppermint & Lemon Eucalyptus. There is no DEET and other toxins such as parabens, sulphates, phthalates, mineral oil, petroleum, synthetic fragrances or dyes which are harmful for the baby.
- Citronella oil is a known insect repellent and classified by the EPA as a non-toxic bio pesticide. It heals insect bites, wounds, and infections, and keeps off bacterial growth in the body-and smells great!
- Lemongrass oil is also repels insects, and its antimicrobial properties protects cuts and wounds from becoming septic.
- Eucalyptus Oil cleanses the body of toxins and is effective for treating respiratory problems, such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and even tuberculosis. Even today, when I have a cold and congestion, it is a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a large bowl of boiling water, which I inhale and feel great relief. Its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties are effective in treating wounds, burns, cuts, abrasions, sores and scrapes. It also heals bug bites and stings.
- Peppermint oil soothes skin inflammations, rashes, and itch, besides relaxing muscles in the nasal passage. It effectively treats infantile colic naturally.
I am also excited to host a giveaway - offering two lucky Mamas one gorgeous premium Mamaearth babycare product kit with the following:
How to win?
Enter via the Rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Contest ends on 24 December 2016
Winners will be announced on 25 December 2016 This contest is open only to those living in India.
Writer, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury
