Baby Lotion
Although majority of babies are born with perfectly smooth and supple skin, there are a few others who are not as lucky. The use of baby lotion addresses the need to moisturize and protect dry skin. However, babies with smooth skin will also benefit from it as it helps maintain the skin’s texture.
Baby lotion is commonly used as an alternative to baby wipes. During nappy change, baby lotion on cotton wool can be made to wipe the baby’s bottom. Most commercial baby wipes are considered unsafe because of their alcohol content. Alcohol is a potential skin irritant, and will only work to strip the baby’s skin of its moisture.
Massaging the baby is one of the most effective ways for the mother and child to bond. Also, giving the baby a regular massage will assist in rehydrating the baby’s skin. However, newborns, as well as young infants, are better off massaged or wiped with water on cotton wool instead of baby lotion, since their skin is not “fully-developed” yet.
Generally, baby lotion mainly consists of oil and water, along with certain additives, which provide it its fragrance and color. Although baby lotion serves as a cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting agent of the baby’s skin, not all are safe to use on babies. There are some brands of baby lotions that contain a whole lot more additives than others. These chemicals may have the most pleasing colors and scents, but are also likely to do more harm than good.
We all know that baby’s skin is very delicate and sensitive. Thus, when they are exposed to foreign elements, such as chemicals in baby products, their skin will react against it. Unrecognized elements can possibly damage the skin, sometimes in the form of dry skin, rashes, or acne. There are also studies which showed the occurrence of more serious medical conditions brought about by the use of chemical-laden baby products.
When choosing a good baby lotion, make sure that you don’t single out a particular product which contains the heaviest scent. Scent, in fact, should never be a selection factor. A safer option is to go for the one that does not have any fragrance at all. Unscented or fragrance-free products are most beneficial, especially to babies who possess very sensitive skin.
An even better alternative is to buy the natural or organic baby lotion. With such products, the baby is assured of a reduced exposure to the harsh chemicals contained in chemical-based ones. Since these are all-natural, these come unscented. Meaning, you get to enjoy the natural, sweet smell of your baby. Moreover, majority of organic products are believed to have therapeutic effects as well. Hence, giving your baby a massage does a lot more than just moisturizing.
Some experts also recommend the use of olive oil in place of the widely-used baby lotion. For newborns, soothing massages are the best de-stressing and calming techniques. However, the use of natural products has to be ensured. Parents should do away with baby oils or baby lotions which contain strong fragrances as these can trigger their allergies and cause skin irritation.
When shopping for a baby lotion, make sure that your choice satisfies more than just your nostrils. Read the labels and know what each ingredient does. Make your way to the all-natural products section, and take a closer look at your options. If you want to ensure that your baby’s skin does not react positively to any of them, you can ask for baby lotion samples and do skin tests. If they’re what they claim to be, they won’t likely harm his skin. But then again, you can never be too sure.