Which soap is best for baby
Soap for newborn babies should be gentle and mild as a newborn baby’s skin is delicate. While choosing a soap for newborns, parents must choose the one which has natural ingredients and is safe for baby’s skin.
Skin of newborn babies is extremely sensitive. Hence it requires to be washed with utmost care. To keep the infant healthy it is important to keep the skin clean. Soaps containing harsh chemicals can harm the baby’s skin and may not be good for the baby’s overall health.
Most of the time, cleaning a baby’s skin with plain water will suffice. However, there is no harm in making use of mild soaps that contain natural oils like that of coconut, palm and olive. Soaps rich in herbs like Calendula can also be used for babies. The category of soap which must be avoided at all cost are the antibacterial ones.
Gentle Baby Soaps - Go in for a baby soap which is not toxic and is gentle.
Avoid Extra Lather Soaps - Washing a baby’s skin is not the same as washing an adult’s skin. There is absolutely no point in going in for extra lather soaps which look good only in television commercials.
Baby Soaps with Mild Fragrances -Although there are a wide variety of baby soaps available with different scents it is advisable to go in for the soaps which do not have a smell. Infants, if they dislike the scent of the soap will end up crying since there is no other way in which they can express their displeasure. Also such soaps contain chemicals which can cause adverse reaction on the baby skin. Hence, odorless soaps are the best for babies.
How to Find if Soap is Harmful for Baby:
To ensure that the soap is non-toxic and hypoallergenic you must carefully analyze the ingredients of the soap. Check out each of the ingredients mentioned on the package on the internet to ensure that it is not capable of causing any allergic reaction. If you notice rashes or any other form of skin irritation immediately discontinue the use of the baby soap. In case of any doubt double check with your doctor.
Soaps made of natural ingredients are ideal for sensitive baby skin. Soaps with such ingredients soothe the baby’s skin. Ingredients like almond oil, olive oil and milk are completely natural moisturizing agents which are suitable for the infant skin.
Many new parents get enamored by the concept of bubble bath for small babies. However, bubble bath products normally contain detergents which are capable of destroying beneficial bacteria and harming the infant skin’s natural acid mantle. Research has indicated that bubble bath is one of the most common causes of vaginitis and urinary tract infections in infants. Instead of bubble bath add a few drops of lavender oil to the baby’s bath water which will produce a very pleasant scent. This natural oil will not cause any adverse effect on the infant skin.
Although it is essential to keep a baby clean, it is not necessary to bathe her every day. Giving bath on alternate days are enough for the first few months. Sponging the baby’s face, hands, necks and bottom everyday will ensure that she stays clean most of the time.
Soaps made of natural ingredients are ideal for sensitive baby skin. Soaps with such ingredients soothe the baby’s skin. Ingredients like almond oil, olive oil and milk are completely natural moisturizing agents which are suitable for the infant skin.
Many new parents get enamored by the concept of bubble bath for small babies. However, bubble bath products normally contain detergents which are capable of destroying beneficial bacteria and harming the infant skin’s natural acid mantle. Research has indicated that bubble bath is one of the most common causes of vaginitis and urinary tract infections in infants. Instead of bubble bath add a few drops of lavender oil to the baby’s bath water which will produce a very pleasant scent. This natural oil will not cause any adverse effect on the infant skin.
Although it is essential to keep a baby clean, it is not necessary to bathe her every day. Giving bath on alternate days are enough for the first few months. Sponging the baby’s face, hands, necks and bottom everyday will ensure that she stays clean most of the time.
Today the market is flooded with skin care products for newborn babies. In the good old days to bathe infants gram flour was believed to be the best. While most of the baby soaps are alright for the majority of infants here are a few things which must be avoided:
- Perfumed soaps, lotions, and shampoos
- Laundry soaps with perfumes and dyes
- Deodorant soaps
When can I start using regular soap on my baby?
Use baby wash or very mild soap – the kind that doesn't really lather up – to clean your child for the first 12 months. Skincare products formulated for babies are gentler and less likely to irritate the skin, and babies just don't need the deep lathering effects of regular soap.
"Regular soap is designed to dissolve oily body odor, and babies don't have a problem with that," says Mary Spraker, a pediatric dermatologist at Emory University and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology.
She adds that you don't really need to use soap or cleanser at all, except to clean a baby's bottom and the folds of skin around his arms and legs. Until your baby is about 1 year old, use products designed for babies or very mild soap only on the parts of his body that really need it. (Once he's eating solid food, you may have a few more areas to clean.)
Keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends bathing babies no more than three times a week for the first year. Frequent baths can dry out a baby's skin, especially during winter. Soaking in a tub of sudsy water can also irritate the urethra, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections (especially in girls).
If your baby has eczema (patches of red, dry, scaly skin, especially on the face and in the bends of the elbows and knees), ask your pediatrician to recommend a bathing and skincare regimen as part of his treatment. Children with eczema can be particularly sensitive to the ingredients in lotion and soap.
But even children who don't have eczema can be sensitive to the ingredients in bath products, so call your baby's doctor if he develops a rash or feels itchy.
It's best to stick with baby soaps and washes for a while. Regular soap contains heavy surfactants, which create that soapy lather; deodorants, which eliminate body odor; and fragrances. Babies and young children don't need these things, and they can actually irritate their skin. Using a regular adult soap on your baby's silky skin will likely leave it dry, red, or splotchy. In fact, your child's better off using baby or children's soap or mild moisturizing soap until puberty, especially if he has sensitive skin.
Remember, most pediatricians say you don't need to wash your baby daily only about three times a week until he turns. And during bathtime, you don't need to lather your baby from head to toe; just use soap on the areas that actually get dirty and sweaty, like his bottom and privates, armpits, and knees (you can rinse the rest of him with only warm water).
Of course, if using one type of bar soap is more practical and economical for the whole family, then switch everybody to a gentle, unscented soap, like Dove, that's safe for the youngest members.
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