We love stroking her soft hair. Your skin smells so good! But not all that glitters is gold, and some of the products you are using in your ...
We love stroking her soft hair. Your skin smells so good! But not all that glitters is gold, and some of the products you are using in your child's daily hygiene can have serious consequences for their health.
We read the labels but we don't always understand what that endless list of ingredients says. As long as it says hypoallergenic, or that it is a product for babies, we already trust that it will not harm our child's skin. However, sometimes we get a surprise.
5 products you should use very carefully (or avoid)
1. Wet wipes
For many of us, wet wipes are one of the best inventions. My children are grown up and I still have a packet in my bag, to remove the ice cream globs and stuff. However, some brands of wipes have been removed from the market for being harmful and dangerous.
Apparently, some of them contain toxic substances for the baby's skin, which cause allergies or problems in the vulva of girls. The cause could be the combination of preservatives, so if you notice an allergic reaction on your baby's skin, discontinue use immediately.
What to wear
Old fashioned, my mother would say, "soap and water." Or, failing that, cotton soaked with calcareous oil, a substance that does not affect the PH of the skin.
2. Talc
It is one of the most popular products, however, it is already falling into disuse thanks to information about how dangerous its use can be for babies. It is true that it softens the skin and helps keep it dry, but the danger lies in the proliferation of its particles, which can enter the baby's airways.
In children under one year old, volatile particles can cause lung problems, so it is preferable to discard this product if we want to avoid risks, at least when babies are very young.
What to wear
Cornstarch is a good replacement option. It has worked for me, and let's agree that it feels wonderful to the touch.
3. Colonies and fragrances
Many of the perfumes that they gave me when my daughter was born were kept for a while. The truth is that, in addition to the fragrance and alcohol that some perfumes may contain, there are dozens of substances that will end up on the baby's skin and that are not healthy at all. Chloromethanes, musks, butanes, phthalates, and other even rarer names are deposited in your child's body.
Many of the substances cause dermatitis, allergies, and even some of them cause hormonal and development problems, as well as the risk of cancer, kidney, and respiratory problems, among others.
What to wear
Keep your baby clean and you won't need to put perfume on him. Your baby's skin naturally smells good. And if you still want to put some kind of fragrance on it, try to find a certified company that guarantees that its fragrances are natural, although you should still be alert to the possibility of an allergy.
4. Essential oils
Many of us have a habit of putting a few drops of essence in the baby's bathtub. Either because we like its fragrance or because we have been promised that this way, the little one would sleep more peacefully.
The truth is that when a few months ago I put a few drops of lavender essence in my children's bathtub, I had to rinse their skin quickly. They both had red welts all over their skin and it took a long time for them to go away. The scent had triggered an allergic reaction, and I only realized it when my children were covered in reddish spots.
What to wear
Never put essential oil directly on your baby's skin. Ask your doctor if you can place it in the humidifier or on a stove if you want to obtain the benefits of its properties.
Natural is always the best. It is essential that as parents we make a critical reading of the products that we are using daily with our children, to avoid the consequences.
And do not forget to always consult your doctor, to maintain the optimal health of your baby.
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