Bath time with baby creates a special atmosphere for bonding. You need to be gentle with your baby and that includes considering the products used on the baby's skin. A baby's skin and scalp are highly sensitive, especially since the skull, which protects the brain, has not fully closed in young infants. If you read the labels carefully, you'll see that commercial products have chemical ingredients that can be harsh on your baby's skin. Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS)and Formaldehyde are common chemicals found in baby shampoo. SLS is used to prevent stinging to the eye if shampoo gets in your baby's eye. If you use natural products made from organic materials that do not disrupt the natural balance of saline in the eye, you can achieve the same outcome without exposing your baby to chemicals that may have side effects and are a potential for health risks.
What to Look for
Organic products that do not use harsh chemicals are worth considering for washing your baby's hair. Newborn babies have a hydrolipidic film layer of skin that is highly sensitive and needs protection. Even products with essential oils need to be used with caution, as not all essential oils are safe for babies. Lavender and chamomile have long been used safely with baby, but everything is best in moderation. Your baby's lungs are also developing, so be careful not to overload and tax their respiratory system with intense scents. Fragrance and paraben-free products are a good choice. Aloe juice, coconut milk and organic honey are ingredients used in some natural baby shampoo products that can be gentle for baby's delicate skin. Even with these products, you can always do a skin patch test to a small region and determine if the baby exhibits any sensitivity. These products may cost a little more, but your baby's health is worth it.
Common Pitfalls
Organic products for baby are easily found online or at your local health food store, so availability is less of a pitfall than in the past. You may have to experiment with a few different product lines to find the best shampoo if you are trying to not go with a traditional commercial brand. The shelf life on natural products can be a little less, but this truly isn't a major consideration when compared to the health benefits for your baby. Overall, there aren't a lot of pitfalls in using a natural product with the baby and commercial brands are still used in most households, so it is really a matter of choice as to whether or not to go green or stay with the familiar store-bought brands.
