Aromababy used in Hospitals and by Health Care Professionals

The hospital system has been monopolised by petro-chemical based product suppliers for decades. Aromababy aims to offer parents in hospital a choice in the type of skincare they use on their newborn. As such, we have been donating products to a select number of hospitals in Australia and overseas for almost ten years. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have embraced the concept of petro-chemical free skincare at a hospital level and invite you to view some of the feedback generated since the launch of Aromababy almost a decade ago.

For more information on how your hospital can offer parents access to Aromababy product, receive an in-service or to find out more, kindly fill in our enquiry form.

AROMABABY® is proud to support the Born Early Appeal. For more details visit www.austprem.org.au

"As a midwife and mother, I have been researching the subject of neonatal skincare and cord care since 1996. The resulting articles have been published in the RCM Midwives Journal (Nov 2002), The RCM Midwives Journal (July 2003) and most recently in the British Journal of Midwifery (March 2004). These are all available to read on my website at www.tipslimited.com Only by using evidence based research can we fully understand how the skin works and how best to treat it, especially in the early weeks of life, when it is so vulnerable to damage from outside irritants such as chemicals, pollutants, allergens and micro- organisms. This is why I recommend the use of water only for the first month of life. This allows the delicate skin a chance to mature and form its protective barrier. At this point it is advisable to use the mildest products available, preferably those that do not contain any artificial colours, perfumes, petro-chemicals or other such additives. Aromababy manufactures the type of products recommended in my articles. Having seen and read their product information, I heartily applaud www.aromababy.com. Their products are clearly in a league of their own and because they are of such high quality, it is important to remember that a small amount goes a long way. By following my evidence-based skincare guidelines to use plain water for the first month of life, Aromababy has shown great foresight and must be congratulated. The fact that this company is also eco-friendly, further adds to its integrity”. Sharon Trotter Midwife, Writer and Breastfeeding Consultant ( UK) www.tipslimited.com	Aromababy Founder, Catherine Cervasio Arfi, visits a hospital in Dubai where her natural baby products are welcomed.
AROMABABY® is proud to be a Sponsor of the MINDD Foundation. Through workshops and educational material, MINDD Foundation offers improved treatments for a range of disorders particularly affecting children including Autism, ADD, asthma, eczema, allergies, food sensitivities. Visit www.mindd.org for information on FREE seminars at Darling Harbour, Sydney on November 17 and 18.

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Are We Harming Our Baby’s Skin?

Bubbling, fragranced and colourful baby toiletries have been enjoyed by staff and parents in the hospital environment for decades. Why then, are a number of select Australian hospitals opting out of petro-chemical based products in favour of more natural offerings which include simple cold pressed vegetable oils for massage and cleansing, and even plain water?

Particularly in special care nurseries, where babies born too early are cared for, the need for skincare product at all remains a topic for discussion amongst some midwives. Prem babies are said to have skin which is only a third the thickness of a full term infants’. But, if left to develop naturally, the skin’s permeability resembles that of a full term infant after a period of only 14 days. In Melbourne’s Mercy Hospital NICU (neonatal intensive care) they have been using bland, unscented offerings periodically over the past number of years from the makers of Aussie brand Aromababy, with great results. Some staff here also choose to buy the product in to on-sell, an unusual practice being adopted by several facilities, in an effort to provide a choice in skincare products and also educate their new Mums about the possible effects of using highly fragranced, synthetic products early on.

According to UK based research, a link does exist between the early introduction of strongly fragranced, chemical-based product and the steady rise in infantile eczema and associated conditions. It is believed that dry, peeling skin of the new baby requires no treatment at all and that water only should be used to clean the newborn’s skin. The skin’s major function is to act as a barrier, against infection, absorption of toxins and to prevent the loss of fluids. The strengthening outer layer of the skin eventually prevents absorption of residues from topically applied substances however if highly chemical based product is used too early on, the risk of a skin reaction does exists according to some studies. As neonatal experts work to provide evidence-based research for health professionals, new brands continue to launch whilst others fail, all vying for their share of an industry estimated at $80m annually in Australia alone.

With the age of the first-time mum now around 30 years plus, most are equipped with information on the vast number of products and services available for themselves and their family. This includes the use of complimentary therapies and natural based product for pregnancy and beyond. Baby Massage, for example, is often taught at ante-natal classes attended by at least first-time parents. Nowadays these classes are more likely to be introducing new parents to the notion of using something from the kitchen cupboard rather than from the supermarket shelf. Natural therapies are fast becoming a way of life as many new parents seek natural alternatives for their own reasons, in search of a cleaner and greener way to live.

As natural therapies have become an ever-increasing market over recent years, skincare manufacturers are working overtime to best utilise catch phrases which pretty much guarantee to sell their products. Labelling and marketing materials often include the clever use of words like ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ or the strategic placement of where pure essential oils appear in an ingredient list and so on. With children’s skin problems on the rise, some newcomers to the baby skincare market even use this as a selling tool, making claims relating to eczema without having proper approvals or product listings through TGA (Australia’s governing body for therapeutic goods and their claims). Some manufacturers may exaggerate hospital use and use the hospital system purely as a marketing tool (we’ll provide free product if you include this list of local stockists and suggest new Mums buy our product). Be certain to equip yourselves with information and suitable product for the newborn at a hospital level and be well-armed for the onslaught of baby products sure to hit retail shelves over the coming years. As the shift toward more natural product grows, your facility will then be sought after as a well-informed and ecobaby-friendly destination for the growing family.

© Catherine Cervasio-Arfi 2003