Oh baby! Keeping young skin clean and healthy - bodycare - Brief Article

Taking care of your baby's sensitive skin is more than child's play.

A baby's skin is more fragile and holds less moisture than an adult's, plus it produces less melanin, the substance that helps prevent sunburn. It's also more susceptible to irritants, especially those found in soaps, creams and shampoos.

"Chemical preservatives and strong fragrances can cause irritation, dryness and allergies," says Susan Hussey, vice president of Aubrey Organics. "And they're just not necessary to include in baby products."

Your safest bet: Opt for natural products designed especially for infants, and follow a regular, simple skin-care routine. The following three-step program will keep your little one calm, comfy and beautifully baby-fresh.

Step 1. Bathing. How often you bathe your baby depends on the baby's age and the time of year. Newborns need to be bathed every two to three days, especially in the winter. Bathing more often than that can dry and irritate delicate skin. After the first few weeks, bathe your baby every other day in a sink or an infant tub filled with lukewarm water. Use an extra-gentle soap designed exclusively for infants, and rinse your baby thoroughly with clean water. Some to try: Aubrey Organics Natural Baby Bath Soap, Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap from Burt's Bees, Healthy Times Sunflower Baby Bar and Weleda Cab endula Baby Soap.

If your baby has a full head of hair, you can shampoo it at every bath. "No-tears" shampoos seem the logical choice, but they may contain ingredients that numb the eye, says Teresa Busillo, senior account director for Burt's Bees. And since infants have thin hair and sensitive scalps, strong cleansers aren't appropriate. Instead, use a natural baby shampoo with a coconut or other plant-oil base. And consider using a bar shampoo--it's easier to negotiate when you're bathing a slippery little body. Some to try: Aubrey Organics Natural Baby Shampoo, Baby Bee No-spill Shampoo Bar, Healthy Times Pansy Flower Shampoo.

Step 2. Moisturizing. It's essential to moisturize baby's delicate skin to protect it and prevent chapping, especially in cold, dry weather. And lotion or oil helps retain body heat. After bathing, gently pat your baby dry with a soft towel--rubbing can cause irritation--and apply a baby lotion, cream or oil while skin is still damp to seal in moislure. Look for one made with natural plant oils such as jojoba, wheat germ, almond or sesame. Some to try: Aubrey Organics Natural Baby Body Lotion, Weleda Calendula Baby Cream, Baby Bee Apricot Baby Oil from Burt's Bees.

And make moisturizing a special time for your baby and you. "Rubbing oil into your baby's skin is a wonderful, caring interaction," says Finbarr Murphy, president of Weleda, a natural products manufacturer based in Arlesheim, Switzerland.

Step 3. Diapering. To prevent diaper rash, change diapers frequently and use a diaper cream to create a protective barrier that seals out wetness. Petroleum jelly has long been the standard, but it's heavy and it inhibits the skin's ability to re-moisturize itself. Better choices: shea butter, beeswax and rose wax, which provide a natural barrier against wetness and are free of petroleum derivatives. If your baby's already sporting a rash, look for a product containing zinc and gentle, healing botanicals--such as calendula, chamomile and comfrey--to soothe irritated skin. Some to try: Baby Bee Diaper Cream from Burt's Bees, Dr. Hauschka's Rose Creme, Weleda Diaper Care Cream, Un-petroleum Jelly from Avalon.

Powdering your baby's bottom after diaper changes can also absorb moisture and lessen the chances of diaper rash. But avoid talc-based powders--they're thought to cause allergies and asthma. To be on the safe side, look for natural powders made with cornstarch, which has the same absorbant, smooth qualities as traditional talcum powders. Other talc alternatives include slippery elm bark, kaolin clay and bentonite clay. Some to try: Jason's Chamomile Body Powder, Baby Bee Talc-free Buttermilk Powder from Burt's Bees and California Baby Non-talc Powder.

A clean, healthy baby is a happy baby. And that makes happy parents.

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