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