18 Mth Old Cries When Putting Lotion on Back

So stop putting it on.
I never put lotion (other than sunscreen, or anti itch stuff, if they had bug bites) on any of my kids.
What's the point? Children have beautiful, supple skin, they don't need cosmetics.

Why do you put lotion on her at all? Does she actually have really dry skin or is it just habit? I have 4 kids and rarely used lotion, just for the occasional chapped cheeks from winter colds or sometimes on their hands or feet if they were dry due to indoor heat. Unless her skin is dry and cracking, can you just skip the lotion? It's not something that most kids actually need, especially on their trunk.

could be that she's allergic to something in it, but it might just be cold. i'm flinching just thinking about cold lotion being slapped between my shoulder blades! have you tried floating the lotion bottle in the bathwater with her before you put it on?
she may just not need lotion at all.
khairete
S.

Silly question...but my kids hate this part...is it cold?
The lotion...warm it in your hands. And my kids are always cold right after we put it on, so make sure she has a towel or robe handy to warm her up while it absorbs...

Could be something that simple.

Try doing without the lotion.
We never used any.
If her skin is dry she needs to stay hydrated (drink more water).
If you feel you must rub something in, try a little coconut oil.
Skin loves it and it never stings.
It's solid at room temperature but melts at body temperature.
Rub a little on you hands then rub your hands on her back.

Does she need lotion? Is her skin dry, or is this just something you do? If there's no real reason for it, stop. She doesn't like it, and if her skin isn't dry, she doesn't need it.

Baby skin is naturally healthy, it's the marketing companies and the companies that sell lotion that make moms think they're doing something wrong by not using something.

Applying lotion is not a pleasant sensation for everybody. I find it cold, wet and uncomfortable and only use lotion on myself (or my daughter) when absolutely necessary.
If it's just something that you do for no good reason (such as dry skin or eczema), I would just skip the lotion.
If she needs it, try warming it between your palms first and use a lotion that absorbs fast. I personally prefer some almond oil rubbed into wet skin after a bath/shower - works like magic on dry skin and eczema.
Good luck.

I don't know about your daughter, but I can't stand the feel of lotions on my torso or limbs. Using sunblock in the summer is necessary, but I grit my teeth when applying it.

Unless there is a medical need for the lotion, the easy solution is to simply stop using it. Post-bath lotion is not something I did with my kids.

My grandson became sensitive to certain creams and lotions around a year of age, so his mom just stopped greasing him up after baths. He didn't need it, anyway. He, too, seemed irritated by the lotion, flinched and scrunched shoulders. And his skin would turn noticeably red.

The skin is the largest organ, and absorbs many substances easily. Sensitivities and allergies can develop (or go away) at any age. Most children do not need the various chemicals in most skin products. A little almond or olive oil patted on after toweling off is enough to soothe dry skin.

Incidentally, I have sensitive skin, and can't use anything Dove.

I'm with everyone else here who says skip it. She doesn't like it and it's not necessary.

If your daughter has dry skin don't skip the lotion. My daughter has dry skin and if she is not lotioned she will breakout with spots of ezcema. Try cetaphil. We use the bath and lotion. When it's cold I mix the lotion with aquaphor. You could also try Aveeno. That worked for us for a while.

It also could be that that lotion is cold when you put it on her. I usually rub the lotion in my hands to warm it up before putting it on my daughter. Good luck!!

When my oldest was a baby I was told that they really didn't need lotion. I'm sure there are some kids that do, but for the most part kids don't need lotion.

We use lotion on their hands in the winter, but that's because the soap at my kids school is rather harsh and they are encouraged to wash their hands often. We only use it as needed.

If she really needs lotion, I would talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about some good, sensitive lotions. I showed a pharmacist my son's hand (from that harsh soap), and without hesitating he had a recommendation for me (that really worked).

If it's just out of habit, I would stop using the lotion.

I attempted to use eucerin and cetaphil eczema lotion on my 3 year old and he screams bloody burn and yells "it burns. It hurts!" I would stop using it on your baby because there is clearly something in it that can bother some kids.

Instead the pediatrician gave us a prescription oil and that doesn't hurt him.

My guess would be that it's cold. Have you tried warming it in your hands before applying it?

We don't habitually use lotion on our DS and never have. If his cheecks were looking chapped or windburned, then a little bit.

Best,
F. B.

Then don't put lotion on her back.
I have never put lotion on my kids.
They don't need it.

Just because your 6 year old has sensitive skin, it does NOT mean your 18 month old is the SAME.
Each child is... different.

Lotion is cold and icky and gooey. And it can still feel oily on the skin way after it was put on. And then it just sticks to clothing.
I wouldn't want lotion put on my own back either.

At 18 months old, a child is also developing more and in their senses and everything. So now at this age, maybe... she is just protesting the lotion on her back, because she does not like it.
Simple.
Babies, cry, when something is not liked or they are unhappy or when they are uncomfortable or tired. That is how they communicate. They don't have the verbal skills to say "I don't like lotion."

Do you think the lotion is cold on her back? Maybe you could try warming it up in your hands. Also, if you lay her down to do it, you could try sitting her up while you do it... She may just not like it period!

Could it just be that the lotion is really cold? We put lotion on my son after his baths and he often says it's too cold. I'm not really sure how you would get around that, but it's certainly a possible reason.

Cerave lotion works well for my son, who has eczema and very sensitive skin.

You know, I can't stand to stand on a hard floor with wet feet. To have the water between these two surfaces just...YUCK! Maybe the feeling of lotion between her back and your hand is yucky for her. Maybe if you use it in tiny amounts it'll feel different for her.

Does she respond the same when it's just your hand on her back?

Like somebody else mentioned, maybe it's cold.

I have a toddler with dry skin and we use Cetaphil cleanser in the bathtub and Cetaphil lotion twice a day. From what we've been told, it is the mildest cleanser & soap on the market. Best of luck! :)

Stop putting lotion on at all! If its eczema, I get it... But then obviously use an eczema friendly product to treat that. Otherwise your forcing an unpleasant waste of time and money. If it's some kind of after bath tradition of yours, then try replacing it with singing a night time song. It's free and more comforting then an uncomfortable unwanted cream.

Baby shampoo isn't good for kids hair. I'd try to find regular shampoo that she can tolerate. Otherwise her hair may get too damaged to do much. Sometimes it dries it out so much it can't even grow in well.

Sounds like she doesn't like being touched there. Does she do it when it's just your hand?

It could be she just absolutely hates the feel of lotion on her back. Its the same as being okay with prune-y feet but hate prune-y hands....it's a preference

This is assuming nothing is wrong but it doesn't sound like there is.

maybe it's just too cold???