| A surprising number of mothers will buy expensive | | | | course you should also stay away from artificial colors |
| lotions and soaps for their sensitive skins, and yet | | | | and fragrances. |
| bathe and shampoo their baby in cheaper, | | | | Baby powders are one of the most common |
| chemical-ridden products. | | | | treatments for diaper rash. Many moms use |
| Even those moms who believe they are being very | | | | cornstarch, and treat rash with whipped-up egg white |
| careful about the products they use on their baby are | | | | that's allowed to dry and form a protective barrier. |
| likely not being careful enough. | | | | Lotions and oils that contain petrochemicals, artificial |
| An article in Clinical Pediatrics reports that over three | | | | colors, or artificial fragrances should never be used on |
| out of four infants suffer rashes within the first few | | | | a baby. |
| months of births. Sadly, the reason for such frequent | | | | Natural Skin Care Products |
| breakouts appears to be the skin care products | | | | Although most of the skin problems that babies face |
| parents use to keep their babies' skin moisturized. A | | | | are due to dangerous ingredients in mass-produced |
| baby's skin, like all organs, is not fully developed and | | | | skin care products, this is not the only concern. Even |
| isn't as effective a barrier against toxic substances. | | | | organic skin care products can cause problems if used |
| Natural skin care products are much, much safer than | | | | excessively. |
| the chemical-heavy conventional ones. | | | | During the first year, babies do not need to be bathed |
| The Danger of Over-The-Counter Products | | | | frequently or even at all. An occasional wipe of the |
| Many products supposedly designed for infants' | | | | genitals and buttocks with a damp cloth is usually all |
| sensitive skin are the same harsh cleansers for adults, | | | | that is needed. If a bath is needed, a small amount of |
| just put in a cute package with a higher price. Reading | | | | warm water should suffice. Babies don't sweat like |
| labels to see what is really in the bottle is even more | | | | children and adults so don't need soap most of the |
| critical for your baby than for yourself. | | | | time. If necessary, use a mild soap containing palm, |
| Many bubble baths destroy beneficial bacteria on the | | | | coconut, or olive oil and use as little as possible. Never |
| baby's skin. In fact the problem is so bad that infant | | | | use antibacterial soap. |
| bubble bath carries an FDA warning against excessive | | | | Shampoo is also seldom, if ever, needed during the |
| bathing. These products often contain known | | | | first year. If needed, use a very mild organic shampoo. |
| carcinogens and irritants such as formaldehyde and | | | | Lotions that contain soothing or healing natural skin |
| 1,4-dioxane. | | | | care ingredients such as chamomile or aloe can be |
| Shampoos are no better. Ingredients to avoid include | | | | beneficial. They moisturize well and a gentle massage |
| quaternium 15, imidazolidinyl urea, and parabens. Of | | | | can help a fussy baby sleep. |