That a newborn is very delicate is something that we are clear about. What we should do at the time of common activities with him, such as the bathroom, diaper changes, food, is something that we learn in those long days of pregnancy and by the time of birth we will be teachers, in what to theory refers clear.
And the baby's skin: what products should we avoid? Here are some tips.
Diaper Change
The ideal is wash the baby with warm water and, if necessary, with a suitable soap. Avoid those that carry ingredients like sodium lauryl or laureth sulphate (frequent in gels and shampoos): they can be too aggressive. There are softer cleaners, such as those that have betaines or glycosides (betaine, disodium lauroamphodiacetate or decylglucoside).
Remember that the skin should stay dry Once we finish cleaning it to avoid the appearance of fungi. It is important to do well between the folds of the skin, as well as in the genital area.
In case of redness of the skin, you can apply a cream with zinc oxide (You will find it in the list of ingredients under the name zinc oxide). Most barrier creams or water paste contain it. These creams are quite thick and difficult to spread, do not think they have sold you a dry boat, they are like that. Avoid using the ones that carry petrolatum and paraffinum liquidum, because these ingredients do not let the skin breathe and if you have already used cream in the diaper area a few hours before, remember to wash and remove the remains that may have been left before putting more.
Wet wipes are only for when you are away from home, although they are comfortable and although your advertising proposes to use them at all hours. I recognize that in the end you use them even to clean your boogers, big mistake where there are. The substances in these wipes remain in contact with the skin for a long time, increasing the risk of allergic reactions. The best are the ones without perfume and contain emollients (aloe, chamomile). Must avoid those with ingredients limonene, linalool, citronellol or eugenol. These substances are unnecessary fragrances or perfumes with a fairly high allergenic potential.
Bathroom
To bathe the baby well all it takes is water, being able to add almond oil: just a few drops. It is odorless and edible. Choose a pure oil no added perfumes that only have one ingredient: prunus amygdalus dulcis oil. As we said before, avoid using unsuitable gels and shampoos that can irritate your skin and it is also not necessary to bathe the baby every day.
What else should we avoid?
Colonies with alcohol: Alcohol is present in many baby colonies and is an irritating product that can dry the baby's skin excessively. Hydrating creams: harmful substances can be absorbed for the baby. Talcum powder: very used in my time, the dust has very fine particles that can be inhaled by the baby. Disinfectants: alcohol, antiseptics like triclosan and the benzalkonium chloride (benzalkonium chloride) are also substances that should be avoided in the daily care and hygiene of the baby. Dyes and nail polishes: During pregnancy and lactation it is better to do without them to avoid adverse reactions (these substances are irritating and their ingestion / inhalation can be dangerous). Above all it is important not to use them when the baby begins to develop the denture and spends the day biting everything, our fingers without going any further.
