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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?
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Hi,
I was wondering if there is an alternative for arrowroot powder, since I can’t find it in my country?
Cornstarch works too!
I use cornstarch with a couple drops of tea tree oil and peppermint oil for my daughter. She has numerous allergies which leaves her with hives and itchy skin all over. It has certainly helped her.
Hello,
I absolutely love your ideas and recipes! I am 22 weeks and I want to start making stuff for my baby girl before she arrives however I am very new to it all so I know little.
Are the recipes for body care able to be made this early in my pregnancy or will I have to wait closer to the time ???
I want to start preparing my house and would love helpful tips/ideas to what I can start making this early.
Thanks
😀
I”d wait until closer. Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Where do you find the chamomile and calendula flowers?
Hi Katie! Thanks you so much for all these recipes! Tryin to get all the baby products made before my baby arrives.
How do you get the flowers to a powder?? Does my food processor just suck? The chamomile flowers are ground a bit but the calendula just fly around in there with the blade. What can I do? Maybe add a bit of water to the processor to weigh down the flowers then allow the powder to dry…?
Or what if I just put the whole flowers in with the arrowroot powder. I have a shaker with a mess lid so the flowers can’t get through. Would that have any effect or just be pointless?
Please help! Thanks! Otherwise I’m just goin with plain arrowroot power.
Hi there. I made this just adding essential oil, not the flowers, but it doesn’t come out of the shaker very well. Frustrating. Any suggestions? Thank you!
You could try sifting it, or allowing it to dry out more… It sounds like it may be too moist and is clumping.
Do u prefer chamomile or calendula? Also I got some lavender laying around can I throw it in the mix or is it a waste?
Calendula is better for skin…
What about Sandlewood? I have chamomile, Calendula & Sandlewood, and I know sandlewood is good for skin and smells great, I just don’t know if it is ok for babies??
I made this the other day for my grandmother (she likes baby powder instead of using deodorant) and it has become clumpy. It won’t come out of the powder bottle so she takes the lid off to get it out. It comes out in balls (that turn to powder when you touh them). Any suggestions? My mom suggested putting rice in it to help soak up some of the moisture. Thanks!
Any powder alternatives if you can’t get calendula or chamomile?
You can leave them out… they just improve smell and offer some additional benefits but plain arrowroot will work
So i put my flowers in a food processor but could not get it super fine. Transferred to a mortar and pestle and continued to crush it, but cannot quite get it to a fine powder. Does it need to be as fine as the arrowroot or is it ok if there are flakes? Don’t know if I love the idea of the flakes on my baby’s bottom. What can I do?
I think I will use a coffee grinder?? I use one for spices so I thought I will buy one that is another color and use for herbals.
How long does this last for? I am a new mom and would like to start making some of these recipes before my little baby arrives in April. Is this baby powder something I could do in advance and it would still be good?
The powder can be made ahead of time. 🙂 Congrats on your pregnancy!
Katie can adults use this powder also? My husband and I work outside and sweat alot can we use it everyday? And should I add different oils for us?
Love this recipe. We have used Redmond Clay in powder form for years as our baby powder. It is AMAZING!!!
Hi Kimberly! I have been trying to find a shaker that is a good price, and is not metal so I can use the Redmond Clay… What did you find was best for applying/shaking out the powder onto baby bums??