New content is added to the site regularly, so visit us frequently or subscribe to our mailing list to catch up with all that we have to tell you!
 Baby Skin Care Myths
- Brought to you by Bepanthen®
As a new parent you're likely to be bombarded with well meaning advice from other parents, family members and friends. How can you separate the myths from the truths?
1. Water is all you need to wash your baby in
In baby's early life, advice from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is to use bath products sparingly, so as not to damage the delicate skin of your baby.(1) It's advisable to only use products that have been dermatologically tested and that have been clinically proven to be gentle on the developing skin of a newborn.
However, all baby care products are tested for safety, even more rigorously than adult products (4), so if you want to use gentle baby products, just avoid fragranced products and preservative laden products or anything containing harsh chemicals. Read labels carefully and always look for a name you trust.
After washing the nappy area, the RCM also advises using a thin layer of barrier ointment or cream to avoid nappy rash - that's one area you shouldn't skimp on. Plain water won't be enough to keep this very active area of a young baby fresh for long!
2. All washing products are bad for baby's skin
There is some controversy about chemicals in cosmetics, and it's a controversy that has been raging for some time. It's true that many parents are concerned about the chemicals there might be in baby products - and baby and child products are not all going to be free from chemical additives just because they are intended for kids.
But any product that's intended for use on babies and children up to the age of three has to pass a more detailed safety assessment - so it should be safe to use on baby's skin.
3. A baby needs bathing every day
It can be tempting to want to wash your baby every day - after all it's a fun bonding exercise and if he seems to enjoy it, what's the harm? Well, the thing is that until they're crawling around all over the place and actually doing things to get dirty, a proper daily bath probably isn't really necessary.(2)
Although you don't need to bathe your baby every day, you should makes sure you wash their face, neck, hands and bottom daily - often called 'Topping and Tailing'.(2)
Be careful which products you choose to use in the bath water when you do bathe them, and use gentle pH neutral cleansers or mild soaps that have been designed just for babies. Don't use perfumed products that might cause irritation.
In between baths, keep their faces clean of any obvious muck and spills, and thoroughly cleanse the genital area after nappy changes, following with a gentle barrier ointment to seal in moisture and help care for this sensitive area.
4. Nappy rash is caused by leaving a nappy on for too long
Nappy rash is very common condition and so you shouldn't blame yourself if your baby develops it. It's not caused by leaving the nappy on for too long - any baby can get it and it's usually caused by baby's skin coming into contact with urine and faeces.(4)
Most cases of nappy rash are mild and can be treated with a basic skincare routine. With mild nappy rash, there's not normally much pain or discomfort,4 but it's still best to try and prevent it by keeping the area clean, and changing their nappy as often as needed. If you're using terry nappies a disposable liner can also help to protect your baby's skin. Use a protective barrier ointment that will keep the delicate skin moisturised and stop the irritating chemicals in urine and faeces from getting through.
References:
1. Neonatal Skincare: Why change is vital (RCM) http://www.tipslimited.com/NeonatalSkincareWhyChangeIsVital.htm#top Last viewed Nov 09
2. NHS Choices: Washing and bathing your baby: www.nhs.uk Last viewed Nov 09
3. Cosmetics, Toiletry and perfumery Association: www.thefactsabout.co.uk. Babycare - is it safe to use cosmetics on young children? Last viewed Oct 09
4. NHS Choices: Nappy Rash Introduction - www.nhs.uk Last viewed Nov 09
|
