There are moments from those early days of motherhood that I’ll never forget. Good and bad. I’ll never forget the sleepless nights. The constant “shooshing”. The bouncing. Trying to get my head around how I’d feed a baby every two hours day and night. The tears. But then there were the other moments – the magical ones which make me so nostalgic for those days it makes my heart hurt. The closeness I felt. The squeaky mouse noises my girls would make while they fed or slept. The way the world just stopped when they’d smile. And then bathtime. The way they’d splash and giggle in the water and the baby massages we used to do afterwards...
Whenever I smell the baby wash we used when they were first born, it takes me back instantly – gentle scents help parents and baby bond, as they create a direct connection to memory and emotion. Scents will always take you back (every time I smell my mother’s body cream which she still uses, it reminds me of my childhood). We all have our own rituals too. Routines which are unique and personal to a mother and her child. With rituals in mind, we were thrilled to recently collaborate with Petite Planet by JOHNSON’S to launch their new globally-curated baby skincare collection (wait until you see how gorgeous the packaging is – you’ll be proud to have this range sitting on your bathroom cabinet). The inspiration? The wisdom of mothers from all over the world (and that’s a lot of wisdom). They’ve focused on the different rituals practised and ingredients trusted locally around the globe. They looked at the different baby care rituals, which parents develop to calm, protect and bathe their babies using local ingredients known to care for their skin. The result? Each of the four products in the heavenly new Petite Planet line is inspired by a unique local ingredient from parts of the world which have strong baby care traditions. All formulas are specially designed for baby’s delicate skin – they’re hypoallergenic, not formulated with parabens, phthalates or dyes, dermatologist tested and clinically proven mildness. We loved learning about each of these traditions and thought you would too. Imagery: Emmy Etie | In association with Petite Planet by JOHNSON’S
MOTHERS IN WESTERN AFRICA LATHER KARATE ON BABY DURING THE DRIEST MONTHS TO PROTECT SKIN
Ritual: In the heart of the Savannah, mothers treasure Karité (Shea Butter), an ingredient extracted from the nut of a Shea Tree. Karité is rich in skin-boosting vitamins known for its ability to keep baby’s skin soft and smooth. Try: Petite Planet Nourishing Everyday Body Lotion, with Karité, helps gently moisturise your baby’s skin, keeping it soft and nourished (hint: it’s the one with the adorable giraffe motif).
JAPANESE MOTHERS BELIEVE IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF "SKINSHIP" (BONDING THROUGH TOUCH)
Ritual: Across the islands of Japan, mothers call the special bond that forms through touch “skinship” and treasure the bath time ritual for strengthening this bond. Women in Asia have long relied on rice water, the water remaining in the pot of boiled rice, for glowing skin. This ancient beauty secret water is rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamin E. Try: With traditional lotus flower and rice water, Petite Planet Balancing Shampoo & Body Wash is pH balanced to cleanse without drying to reveal soft, healthy-looking, perfectly touchable hair and skin.
NORDIC MOTHERS LEAVE BABIES OUTSIDE IN COLD WEATHER TO STRENGTHEN IMMUNITY
Ritual: In Nordic countries, mothers frequently allow their babies time outside as it is good for baby development. They rely on the Nordic berry, a local “superfruit” and vitamin E to ensure baby’s delicate skin remains protected from the dry weather. The Nordic berry, found widely in high mountains of the Arctic Zone, can survive in extremely cold temperatures where few other crops can. Because they are scarce and not easy to propagate, they are not commercially farmed and must be picked from the wild. As such, they are considered a delicacy to Nordic cultures. Try: Petite Planet Wind & Weather Comfort Cream contains Nordic berry and Vitamin E to protect baby’s delicate skin while maintaining its natural moisture balance.
MOTHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA CALL ROOIBOS TEA "NATURE'S HEALING HAND" DUE TO ITS VERSATILITY
Ritual: For generations, mother’s from the Western Cape have known the versatility of Rooibos Tea. Grown and harvested from the Western Cape, Rooibos Tea has the remarkable ability to soothe and comfort skin. Mothers in South Africa brew and apply Rooibos Tea directly to baby’s skin to soothe and relieve a variety of ailments, including chapping, sunburn, and itchiness. Mothers feed their babies Rooibos Tea as a milk substitute when they are prone to colic. Try: Petite Planet Multipurpose Barrier Balm contains Rooibos Tea, to help provide soothing protection for a wide variety of baby’s skin needs, such as dry skin, chafing and chapped skin.
Guests at the launch of the new Petite Planet by JOHNSON’S range