What’s Really in Your Baby’s Skincare? A Midwife’s Guide to Choosing Baby Soap

When you welcome a new baby into the world, every choice suddenly feels more important—especially the ones that touch their skin.

As a UK midwife and mother, I know how confusing it can be to find truly gentle, safe baby skincare. Many products on the shelves look baby-friendly—but take a closer look at the label, and you might find harsh detergents, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that can irritate or dry your baby’s sensitive skin.

At Madebyamidwife, I create simple, honest alternatives—starting with our handmade baby soaps, made with natural ingredients and wrapped in plastic-free packaging. Here’s what to watch out for—and what to choose instead.

🚫 Common Ingredients to Avoid in Baby Soap

Many mainstream baby washes and soaps contain ingredients like:

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) – A foaming agent that can dry and strip delicate skin
Artificial fragrance – Often linked to skin irritation and sensitivity
Parabens and preservatives – Used to extend shelf life, but unnecessary for babies
Synthetic colours – Used for appearance, not care

Even soaps labelled “gentle” or “baby-friendly” can contain a cocktail of synthetic ingredients. When your baby’s skin is still developing, less is more.

🌿 What Makes a Good Baby Soap?

At Madebyamidwife, I handcraft each bar of soap using:

Natural oils and butters like olive, coconut, shea & cocoa
Pure essential oils (only in soaps suitable from 3 months+)
Goat’s milk
No artificial colours, fragrances, or sulphates
Plastic-free, eco-friendly packaging

These bars are gentle, calming, and safe—made with real families and real newborn skin in mind.

👶 Which Soap Should I Use for My Baby?

Here’s a quick guide to help:

✔️From Birth –Natures Embrace - Unscented Baby Soap with Goats Milk, Oats & Honey – This unscented soap is incredibly gentle and nourishing. Perfect for first baths and newborn skin.

✔️ From 3 Months+
🟣 Lavender Lullaby Baby Soap – madebyamidwife– Calming with lavender essential oil
🟠Sweet Orange Glow Baby Soap – madebyamidwife – Uplifting with sweet orange essential oil
🌼Chamomile Calm Baby Soap – madebyamidwife – Soothing for sensitive skin with chamomile essential oil

💗 Designed by a Midwife, Loved by Families

Every product I make is created with the same care I would give to a family I support as a midwife. No fillers, no fluff—just honest, handmade skincare for your baby’s first days and beyond.

Explore the baby soap range today at madebyamidwife.com and feel confident knowing what’s touching your baby’s skin.