Madeline’s Beauty Essentials: A Girl’s Gotta Look Good!

• Dreft Baby Detergent. There are lots of different baby detergents out there – I got hooked on the smell of Dreft and haven’t looked back. Basically, you need something hypoallergenic for sensitive baby skin; some babies are more sensitive than others so again, your mileage may vary.
• Baby dryer sheets. Again, a precaution for sensitive skin: I use the Totally Toddler brand from Babies R Us. They last forever – Madeline is a year old, and her first box is just now getting low.
• Shampoo/baby wash. I use the classic Johnson & Johnson brand – it’s the smell. I can’t resist it.
• Baby powder/lotion. Again, I stick with classic Johnson & Johnson here.
• Safety/baby swabs. It may be a ploy to force me to buy a tiny box with “baby” on it, but I liked the assurance that these swabs wouldn’t poke Madeline in the eardrum.
• Vaseline. Good to have on hand for sudden rashes/chapped lips. Some doctors recommend this for post-circumcision care; if you’re planning for that, check with your pediatrician.
• Rubbing alcohol. Again, check with your pediatrician: some recommend this for cleaning the umbilical cord stump (we let Madeline’s dry naturally,  but it depends on what you’re comfortable with).
• Diaper rash cream. Oh, another “try it and see” category. Most moms swear by Desitin, but I can’t stand it – while effective, it’s sticky and hard to clean off, in my opinion. Madeline uses Bordreaux’s Butt Paste, which is easily cleaned and clears her up quickly.

• Thermomether/health kit. This is another area that, for some reason, seems hotly debated in the reviews online. We bought the American Red Cross kit and have no complaints, although I do recommend upgrading to a separate thermomether like this.
• Mylicon Gas Drops. SO helpful.
• Hyland’s Teething Tablets. Can’t hurt, nearly always helps.
• Infant Tylenol.