Is Ubtan Safe for Babies?

Ubtan, a traditional Indian concoction, holds a rich history of use on babies. However, before applying it to your newborn, it’s crucial to discern its safety, potential risks, and necessary precautions. While many advocate for the benefits of ubtan for babies, caution should be exercised due to potential adverse reactions or sensitivities. Consulting with pediatricians or dermatologists can offer personalized insights. Additionally, ensuring the ingredients are hypoallergenic and suitable for delicate infant skin is paramount. Ultimately, informed decision-making prioritizes the well-being of your little one.

What Is Ubtan?

Ubtan is a mix of natural and herbal ingredients. It is used as a skin cleanser and homemade body scrub for babies as well as adults. Ubtan is often used as a substitute for store-bought soaps. It comprises mainly three ingredients – ground lentils and flour, herb powder, and milk or rose water to form a paste.  Adults use it as a natural face mask to get clear and smooth skin. Ubtan is traditionally used to massage newborns during bath time.

For instance, besan ubtan for babies consists of 4-5 raw almonds, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, ½  tsp red lentil powder, 1 tsp chickpea flour (besan), 1 tbsp almond oil, 1 tbsp milk, and 1 tbsp rose water mixed together to form a thick paste. To use, wet your baby with lukewarm water and massage the ubtan paste over his body gently. Let it remain for 1-2 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.

Masoor dal ubtan for babies is made of 4 tbsp red lentil powder (masoor dal), 2 tbsp turmeric powder, 1 tbsp sandalwood powder, 1 tbsp almond oil and ½ tbsp of milk cream mixed together to make the paste. Masoor dal ubtan is used in the same way as besan ubtan.

Is It Safe to Use Ubtan for Infants?

Although applying ubtan is a practice that has been followed for hundreds of years and is said to be beneficial for the babies’ skin, it is best to exercise caution and know about the risks before trying ubtan on your newborn. The benefits include:

• Nourishes the skin and keeps it healthy, as it contains nutritious ingredients like milk and lentils.
• It can be used instead of soap as an excellent skin cleanser.
• Ubtan is an effective natural exfoliant. It removes dead skin cells and makes the skin clear and smooth.
• Ubtan is believed to be beneficial for skin problems like pigmentation.
• The rose water and milk cream used in ubtan are soothing for the skin and reduce inflammation.

Despite these benefits, it is still wise to consult your baby’s dermatologist before trying ubtan for 1-year-old baby.

When Is It Safe to Use Ubtan on Your Baby?

Ubtan is safe to use on your baby only after at least 15 days of birth. The baby’s umbilical cord stump should have completely dried and fallen off before you start ubtan. You should also talk to your baby’s doctor before trying new things like ubtan on your baby. It is also not safe to use ubtan if she has skin conditions like baby eczema or acne.

Possible Risks of Applying Ubtan on Your Baby’s Skin

Although ubtan is a traditional Ayurvedic practice that is beneficial for your baby’s skin, there are several risks associated with its use:

1. The coarsely ground lentils in the ubtan can be abrasive to her skin if you do not massage it gently.
2. The baby may be allergic to one or more ingredients in the ubtan, causing adverse skin reactions like rashes.
3. If you allow the ubtan paste to dry on your baby’s skin, it can be very hard to remove.

Things to Keep in Mind If You’re Considering Ubtan for Your Baby

Before using ubtan for your baby, do keep in mind the following tips and precautions:

• You can start using ubtan on your infant only two weeks after birth. Also, use it after the belly button has healed completely.
• Consult your paediatrician before using ubtan.
• Do not allow the paste to dry on your baby’s skin as scrubbing it off can be painful for your little one.
• Do not try to use it to remove the baby’s lanugo (the protective, fine hair covering the newborn’s body). It is best if you allow the lanugo to disappear on its own.
• Do not use ubtan more than 2 to 3 times a week as it can cause abrasions on your baby’s sensitive skin.

How to Make Ubtan for Baby?

Introducing your baby to traditional practices like ubtan can be a delightful way to nurture their skin. Here are a few simple baby ubtan recipes that you can prepare at home to pamper your little one:

1. Almond and Turmeric Ubtan

Ingredients

• 4-5 Almonds
• 1 pinch Turmeric powder
• Milk

How to Make

1. Soak a few almonds overnight in water.
2. Peel off the skin the next day and grind them to form a smooth paste.
3. Mix a pinch of turmeric powder with almond paste.
4. Add a little milk to form a smooth consistency.
5. Apply this mixture gently on your baby’s skin, leave it for a few minutes, and then rinse off with lukewarm water.

2. Gram Flour and Rose Water Ubtan

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Gram flour (Besan)
• 1 pinch Turmeric powder
• Rose water

How to Make

1. Take a tablespoon of gram flour in a bowl.
2. Add a pinch of turmeric powder.
3. Pour in enough rose water to make a thick paste.
4. Apply this paste on your baby’s skin in gentle circular motions.
5. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water for soft, glowing skin.

FAQs

1. What are the potential risks of using ubtan on babies?

Ubtan may contain ingredients that could cause allergic reactions or irritation on sensitive baby skin.
Improperly prepared ubtan may harbor bacteria or other harmful microorganisms, leading to infections.

2. At what age can I start using ubtan on my baby?

It’s generally recommended to wait until your baby is at least six months old before introducing ubtan, as their skin is still developing and more sensitive to external substances.

3. How often should I apply ubtan on my baby’s skin?

It’s best to use ubtan on your baby’s skin sparingly, perhaps once or twice a week, to avoid overexposure to its ingredients and potential irritation.

4. Are there any specific precautions I should take when using ubtan on my baby?

Always patch test a small area of your baby’s skin before applying ubtan to check for any adverse reactions.
Use only fresh and natural ingredients in your ubtan mixture to minimize the risk of irritation or allergies.
Ensure the ubtan mixture is properly washed off your baby’s skin to prevent any residue buildup that could lead to skin issues.

This was all about homemade ubtan for babies. Ubtan is beneficial for your baby’s skin if used gently and with caution. Take extra care, use safe ubtan recipes for baby and use this bath time massage to bond with your precious little one.

References/Resources:

1. Newborn Skin 101; Johns Hopkins Medicine; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/newborn-skin-101

2. Biswas. R, Mukherjee. P, Kar. A, Bahadur. S, et. al.; Evaluation of Ubtan – A traditional Indian skin care formulation (Journal of Ethnopharmacology); Science Direct; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874116304585; November 2016

3. Jain. D, UBTAN-Gift from Ayurveda and Natur; ResearchGate; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342231705_UBTAN-Gift_from_Ayurveda_and_Nature; June 2020

4. Mubashsir. N; Formulation And Evaluation Of Ubtan Powder; International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts;  https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2305544.pdf; May 2023

5. How to care for your baby’s skin, hair, and nails; American Academy of Dermatology Association; https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/baby-care-skin-hair-nails

6. Lambert. M, Maddukuri. S, Karanfilian. K, et. al.; The physiology of melanin deposition in health and disease (Clinics in Dermatology); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31896398/

7. Bathing and Skin Care for the Newborn; Stanford Medicine; https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=bathing-and-skin-care-for-the-newborn-90-P02628

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