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When I first became a mom almost a decade ago, I started to question the ingredients in everything I put on my baby. Unfortunately, there were not good answers to most of my questions. One product I was surprised to find had problematic ingredients was baby powder.
The Problem with Baby Powder…
Innocent though it seems, baby powder often has some hidden ingredients. Some regular baby powder contain talc, which is closely related to asbestos and has been linked to various cancers. Please don’t put it on your baby’s tender tushie! There are natural alternatives that are incredibly easy to make and work better without the side of cancer.
I did find a few good store-bought alternatives like Burt’s Bees Baby Powder and Little Twig Unscented Baby Powder but I also wanted to find a good DIY version. I suspected that if I could make it, I’d save money and be able to customize it.
Unlike some beauty recipes that require many attempts before I find a recipe I love, this one was relatively simple and straightforward. Just a natural powder of some kind and optional herbs or essential oils.
Baby Powder Ingredients
I settled on using arrowroot powder or organic cornstarch as the base and added powdered herbs like chamomile and calendula to sooth sore bottoms. I’ve also experimented with adding just a couple drops of chamomile essential oil and it worked really well too.
I found this was easiest to use when I stored it in a powdered sugar shaker. (This is a great price on a set of two) I also package homemade baby powder in these with a recipe card of how to make more when I give this as a baby gift.
If you’re worried about what comes in contact with your baby’s delicate skin, consider making your own baby powder or using an organic option.
Homemade Baby Powder Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tsp chamomile flowers (or calendula flowers, or a few drops of chamomile essential oil)
- ½ cup arrowroot powder
Instructions
- If using chamomile or calendula flowers, powder them in the blender of food processor.
- Mix the powdered flowers, or essential oil if using, with the arrowroot powder and store in a glass jar or sugar shaker (see links above) for easy use.
- Use as you would regular baby powder.
What kind of baby power do you use? Ever made your own?
I just don’t see how this is “soft” enough for a baby. I have all the ingredients because I make soap but I’ve never been able to grind calendula into a powder. Ground, yes. Gentle enough to put on a baby? No way. It would be gritty. Scratchy. Even just minimally is too much for a baby. I adore calendula infused oil (sunflower is best because they work together somehow, I can’t recall how, I just know they do) and I noticed someone mentioned they used olive oil. I think I would try that. But then I also make a wonderful, healing beeswax balm, lol. That would be good as well!
Don’t know much about all this, but I’ve seen in other baby powder making sites they use a coffee grind to mix ingredients. Wonder if this makes more finely ground flowers that may not be so scratchy? I hope this works. I am going to try it and heard that Calendula is a great ingredient for healing and might just be very helpful for some of babies issues.
I really enjoy your posts. Over the years I have took care of everyone making remedies and other things but never really took care of myself. Thanks to post like yours, I’m just about convert using homemade products. I still have a few things to change, but, now at 58, realize I am worthy. Thank you for all you do!
Could I use aloe powder? Wondering if that would help with soothing the skin and if so how much? Thanks!
I’m makibg this baby powder for my husband’s feet. He puts an insane amount on his feet every morning to help with sweating ward off athletes foot. Could oregano oil be added to this to help with the anti-fungal? I? know it’s a pretty potent powder but was wondering if being mixed with the arrowroot powder would dilute it enough.
Hi, how long does the powder last?
Is it possible to make a large supply before the baby is born and how long will it last? I d like to get ahead of schedule as i dont know if ill have time once bubba arrives