Baby Care

Remember –you do not have to bath your baby with soap in the first 7 days of life. Bathing with clean plain water is enough? There is no need to buy medicated soaps or so called “baby” soaps and oils. In fact, they may be harmful. Babies may develop skin rash with their use. Use any good non scented soap.

In oils you can use vegetable oils like coconut oil, sesame oil (Til oil), groundnut oil, mustard oil etc. Olive oil and almond oils are costlier but not better. So do not take pains to procure them. Do not use special baby oils advertised in magazines and newspapers as they contain liquid paraffin which is not recommended.
Avoid the use of talcum powder, including special baby powders, because they may cause allergies and lung disease in the baby. At the most you can use it on moist creases of skin in nappy area, neck etc where there is least air exposure. Do not buy prickly heat powders; they may be harmful to the baby.
You can use any good shampoo but in 1:4 (shampoo: water) dilution. For babies with cradle cap you may use a medicated shampoo advised by your Pediatrician.
In some families grandmas recommend putting oils into nose and ears of babies. Avoid this practice. Oil may be aspirated into the lungs and causes lipoid pneumonia. If baby’s nose is obstructed due to cold or secretions then use saline nasal drops which are quite effective and harmless.