When I immigrated to Canada a couple of years ago, I was happy to leave the busy world of The Netherlands behind. In that country, everything is arranged for and everything is taxed. Shortly after my arrival in Canada, my wife became pregnant. We were very excited about adding a new member to our family. And with pregnancy comes the joy of buying all kinds of baby furniture, toys, clothing and baby care products.
One of the biggest differences I have seen so far is the way babies get delivered. In Canada, most women give birth in a hospital, whereas in Holland special trained nurses visit your house. After you have given birth, the nurse visits you twice a day and teaches you how to take care of your newborn. In Canada, most women are on their own.
One day my wife came home with a big box of essential baby care products. As always, the first thing we did when a new products enters our home is to look at the list of ingredients. The first products (Penatal Creme, a very common baby skin care cream) had as its first listed ingredient Petroleum. Petroleum based creams are another example of how a commonly used baby product may actually create problems in some case. Petroleum can block pores and that can lead to a build of sebum and oils in a babies skin. This can lead to irritation, inflammation and the possible build up of the bacteria responsible for acne. Normally I am quite willing to negotiate about almost everything, but this time I said: NO, we are not using gasoline related products on our newborn.
A new study suggests that baby lotion, baby powder, and baby shampoo may be exposing babies to potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates. Phthalates are used to make plastics flexible and stabilize fragrances, and are found in a plethora of consumer products including toys, personal care products and medical equipment.
“At this time, we do not know what the potential long-term health effects might be, but there is a large body of animal studies to suggest developmental and reproductive toxicity (from phthalates) and a few human studies with changes in health outcomes as well,” Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana told Reuters Health (February 2008)”.
Why are so many care givers concerned about only using natural baby skin care? There is evidence that suggests some commonly used infant products may actually do more harm than good for baby skin leading or aggravating skin conditions like cradle cap, rashes and infant acne. The differences between adult skin and baby skin can help to illustrate why some baby products can be so damaging. When a new born comes into the world their skin develops a protective barrier. This barrier keeps out many harsh environmental elements like allergens and bacteria. Harsh detergents may strip a babies skin of much of that protection and may increase the likelihood that damage can occur. Very young infants and premature babies may be at a higher risk.
By: Chris De Feijter
A Primer for New Mothers
One of the most often asked questions asked by new mothers is “what is the best way to care for my baby’s skin?” Newborn skin can be very delicate and is prone to all kinds of different issues and reactions. The guide below will provide general advice about how to properly care for your newborn baby’s skin.
Cord Care
How you care for your baby’s umbilical cord will ultimately impact how his or her belly button will look later in life. It is important to care for this area carefully in order to avoid infection. Swab the base of the umbilical cord with alcohol twice a day. Make sure you fold diapers down at the waist so the cord can be exposed to air. This helps it dry up and fall off faster.
Bath Time
Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off, stick to sponge baths only. When it falls off completely, you can move on to baby baths. In the first couple of months, babies only need to be bathed two or three times a week. Bathing more frequently at this early stage can dry out your baby’s skin. Keep your newborn clean on days he or she won’t be getting a bath by using a warm, damp washcloth on his or her face, hands, diaper area and neck.
When bathing your baby, use warm tap water, testing the temperature on the inside of your wrist. Make sure you use only water or water along with non-drying baby soap.
Baby Lotion, Baby Oil, Baby Powder
Unless your baby has unusually dry skin, lotions and ointments won’t be necessary. Avoid putting baby oil or any type of greasy compound on your baby’s skin, as this can lead to clogged sweat glands and rashes. If you notice that your newborn’s skin is dry and scaly, you may consider using a moisturizing baby lotion. The best moisturizing technique is to apply the baby lotion right after the bath. In terms of baby powder, opt for powders made from cornstarch rather than talcum. Cornstarch is all natural, and talcum contains chemicals that can cause a severe form of pneumonia if inhaled.
Diapers & Wipes
Every time you change a diaper, use a baby wipe to clean the entire diaper area. If your baby had a bowel movement, you may require more than one baby wipe. If you have a girl, be careful not to wipe any feces into the genital opening by wiping front to back. If you have a boy, make sure you wipe carefully under the scrotum as stool can hide there.
A Final Word
Bringing home a new baby is without a doubt a very special and exciting occasion. It can also be very daunting for first-time parents who aren’t exactly sure how to care for their new bundle of joy. With these tips on caring for your newborn’s skin, you’ll be well on your way to learning the ropes of parenthood.
By: Amy Nutt