There are many cosmetic products at your fingertips in any supermarket, specific for babies: colognes, creams, shampoos, creams ... But do we really know what they contain? How to be sure that they will not affect the delicate skin of the baby?
These products usually contain chemical agents that can cause allergies, rashes, granites, dryness ... Therefore, we must remember that the baby's skin has its own "defenses" and that if we fill it with external substances we can be damaging it. Because many of those baby-specific products contain almost as many irritants as adults.
Even an excessive bath without using soaps or shampoos can irritate the baby's skin that it was healthy and dry it out, so if we add non-specific and unnatural products to that, the process can increase. Lotions, shampoos and talc have risks for the baby. In fact, and we will return to it below, talcum powder is not recommended.
Also, if we stop to think, why use shampoo on a baby who has hardly any hair? It makes no sense, we can use the same neutral soap as for the rest of the body.
That is why we have to opt for natural products, without chemical agents and still, try it with a small amount and on a small piece of the baby's skin before applying it generously (read oils or moisturizers ...) and not do it if we really see that Baby skin is fine. There are many components that we should avoid in babies, check that the product you are going to buy or use does not have it.
If it gives us the impression that your skin is dry, the most recommended is a natural specific oil (and apply it with a gentle passage) and for bath products we can also choose neutral and odorless soaps for the newborn.
Once the baby is growing and his skin is "hardening", accustomed to being outdoors, we can try less neutral products, but we still remember that it is necessary to check the components and run away from the chemicals, although it is not easy to find something that Do not contain them in your composition.
About baby coloniesAlthough they are soft, it is better not to apply them directly on your skin but rather on clothing, so it does not alter the ph of the dermis. Anyway, is there something that smells better than a newborn, without additives? It seems that this aroma is as addictive as the drug ...
What concerns to sunscreen creamsRemember that for small babies, physical filters (not chemical filters) are more recommended since they are more skin-friendly. But there are other ways to protect the baby if you see that the cream does not suit your skin, such as physical barriers (umbrellas, caps, clothes ...) and, in any case, avoid the sun stronger and more direct in the central hours of the day
The diaper area does need protection
Of course, the baby smells of glory when there are no pockets in between. And at this point we arrive at another specific product for babies and that it is useful whenever it is applied well and we find one that suits the little one: protective creams for the diaper area.
Because the droppings are very irritating and with excess moisture there is a high risk that the baby's ass will redden, granites come out and there is even diaper rash ... To avoid this, there are adequate protective creams to isolate the skin from contact with feces and thus prevent the skin from suffering.
Remember that talcum powder is no longer used for this purpose, which is not suitable for the baby, as research has shown to dry the baby's skin excessively, preventing him from breathing through the pores, and can also cause problems in case of inhalation or accidental intake.
Other things we can do to avoid irritation is to change the baby's diaper with some frequency and whenever there is poop. Use wet disposable baby wipes (although some studies indicate that they may involve risks) to clean the area, so it may be better to use them only outside the home).
If you do not want to give up the wipes, remember that the best ones are those that do not have perfume and contain emollients such as aloe, chamomile ... Another option at home is to use a gauze moistened simply with water to clean the area, affecting the folds. And the ass in the air whenever possible.
Definitely, When talking about cosmetic products for baby's skin, we recommend the essential ones, especially when they are still very small. Very few are necessary and what we do is protect the baby's skin, still very delicate. There will be time to throw "potingues" when they grow up ...
Photos | Thinkstock
In Babies and more | Baby's skin: what products we should avoid, Newborn care: the skin, Tips for caring for the baby's sensitive skin
