There are dozens of different baby care products available. Let's see which of these will be most useful during the first three months.
Cleansing wipes
These will definitely come in handy from birth. Wipes make changing diapers easier [1]. It is important that these baby wipes do not contain alcohol, perfumes, essential oils, or soap.
Baby lotions and creams
Lotions work better in the summer and creams in the winter. They should be applied after bathing to restore the skin's protective barrier. Read the ingredients thoroughly. Avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). In Europe, SLS in children's emollients is prohibited because it destroys an infant's skin's lipid barrier and can cause the development of atopic dermatitis [1].
It is important to ensure that creams and lotions do not accumulate in the skin folds, as this can slow thermoregulation in newborns [1].
Baby oil
No clear evidence of its benefits has been found. Mineral oils can be considered to be relatively safe. However, pediatricians do not recommend applying natural oils to the skin of infants [1].
Foams and bath gels
Not the most urgent purchase. Newborns do not sweat and have nowhere to get dirty, so clean water is enough to cleanse their skin [1]. They won't be able to enjoy playing with foam and bubbles until they can sit up. Soap dries out the baby skin. If soap is required for particularly dirty areas, such as diaper region, American and European pediatricians recommend using synthetic pH-neutral gels without additives [1, 2].
Shampoos
If a baby's head needs to be washed, use pH-neutral shampoos made from additive-free synthetic gels. Water alone is sufficient for regular hygiene two or three times per week [3].
Baby powder
In 2020, the world's largest manufacturer of children's toiletries refused to release this product [4]. There is evidence that talc, the base of most powders, causes ovarian cancer, particularly if used during infancy [5]. Although no study has been found to be sufficiently convincing, demand for powders has decreased to the point where manufacturers are discontinuing production. Powders are unnecessary, objectively speaking. Allowing the baby to go naked from time to time is much better for their skin.
Diaper cream
Diaper cream is necessary as it serves as a protective layer between the baby's skin and their poop, lowering the risk of diaper dermatitis (diaper rash) [6].
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