Baby washes are made with ingredients that are gentler on skin and hair than adult products. They’re sold in packaging that’s easy to operate one-handed, since you’ll need to keep one hand on your baby for safety while in the bath, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
There are washes made with natural, plant-based ingredients, as well as washes formulated to handle eczema or dry skin. Consider trying a few different products before settling on one to be sure that your baby’s skin doesn’t react adversely.
Although baby hair doesn’t require separate shampoos, you may want to look into products made for curly hair if your baby has curls.
You should also be careful of fragrances, which Dr. Maguiness says can be irritating and can even be allergenic.
“In the vast majority of cases, a little bit [of fragrance] is fine,” says Dr. Maguiness. “But at the end of the day, we have to take stock of who the scent is pleasing.”
As noted earlier, Dr. Maguiness recommends avoiding ingredients like cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium lauryl sulfate, opting instead for sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate (an ingredient derived from coconut) or decyl glucoside. But if you’re struggling to read the miniscule ingredient lists on bottles, consider this: The foamiest, sweetest-smelling formulas are usually the ones you want to avoid, says Dr. Maguiness.
If you notice a product causing any irritation, your pediatrician can help you choose a product that’s more suitable for your baby. If your baby has eczema, Dr. Maguiness says the most important thing is to “soak and smear” — cleanse with a super gentle formula and then use a quality emollient to lock in hydration. (Dr. Maguiness recommends Vaseline.)
How often should you use baby shampoo and body wash on your newborn?
Though some parents bathe their babies daily, most babies don’t need to be bathed more than three times a week in the first year (some experts say it’s fine to bathe your baby daily as part of your routine). Bathing your baby too often can irritate and dry out their sensitive skin, says the AAP. Make sure to rinse baby wash off thoroughly to help prevent dry and irritated skin, and that bathwater is warm to the inside of your wrist instead of hot: 90 degrees Fahrenheit is about right.
You can begin bathing your baby as soon as they come home from the hospital, says Dr. Maguiness. (Chances are they’ll have a bath within six to 24 hours of birth in the hospital, too!)
Brigitt Earley contributed to this story
Stay Ahead, Stay Informed: justbabyshop.com Exclusive