Basic Bath Products For our Babies

When it comes to babies, we reach an extra mile in thinking of what we can give him and provide something which is sometimes of no use. We want our baby's skin to be soft and supple forever which is difficult or sometimes impossible. But we should try our best to provide adequate nourishment to their skin so that it remains hydrated. When we are handling a newborn's skin, tiniest amount of body wash and lotion is required. But when a baby starts to grow, his or her skin tends to lose moisture and appear drier and tend to develop rashes and other skin irritations.


Newborns require products which are free of colours and fragrance. If possible, products which are free of harmful chemicals should be used. I know, it is a task which is somehow beyond the bounds of possibility but there is nothing wrong with reading the labels before applying it to your baby's skin. Certain terms such as 'hypoallergenic' can be ambiguous. It means that the product is relatively unlikely to cause any reactions to the baby's skin but doesn't mean it will suit the baby's skin for sure.

                   

Here are the skincare products required for our little angels:

• Baby Massage Oil: Massage helps to soothe the baby. It helps to relieve the baby from indigestion and regularises the sleeping pattern. Massage oils help to moisturise the baby's skin and create a slippery surface for easy hand movement. It is better to avoid such oils which are highly perfumed because it may irritate the baby's sense organs. Mineral oils are best to be avoided because the baby's skin becomes drier within an hour or two of application. Coconut oil and olive oil suits my baby's skin very well. Some mothers heat mustard oil with garlic and fenugreek seeds and apply it to the baby's chest while it's still warm to relieve him or her from cold and cough. With the passage of time, one will know what suits their baby. Always start using a little bit and check how it reacts to your baby's skin. Then continue using it if the results are positive.

• Baby Wash or Soap: Newborns don't require much soap as they don't get dirty that often. When they start crawling, they tend to get much dirtier and the saga continues. Body washes or cleansers are milder as compared to soaps. They are considered to be much hygienic in comparison. There are various reasons involved. The liquid cleansers are stored in a bottle so the product inside isn't touched by hands unless we use the mechanism to take out the product. The liquid cleansers are not left open which doesn't attract germs, unlike soaps. Also, now there are certain cleansers available in the market which is SLS free which isn't in the case of soaps. Choose the product you like using for your baby be it soap or body wash.

• Shampoo: Babies don't require hair wash that often. But if your baby has thick hair and accumulates sweat and dirt, once or twice a week is more than enough. Choose a tear-free formula so that their beautiful eyes don't hurt and try to use a milder product which is free of SLS and parabens. Nowadays hair and body washes are available in the market which fulfils both the tasks very well. Try the one which suits your baby.

• Body Lotion: Baby's skin tends to lose moisture rapidly. Dry skin causes rashes and itchiness. Use a good hydrating body lotion or cream for your baby which will allow locking in moisture and provide them with a healthy and supple skin.

• Diaper Rash Cream: Babies tend to get diaper rashes due to various factors. Their skin might react to urine and stool. Sometimes it can also be caused by reactions to the diaper itself. Diaper rash creams soothe the baby's skin and maintain a protective layer on the skin. Doctors also recommend using petroleum jelly instead. Choose the one recommended by the doctor.

• Baby Wipes: Baby wipes become handy when we are travelling with a baby. We didn't use baby wipes until the baby turned a month old as my doctor didn't recommend using them till then. Choose the variant which is free of alcohol and avoid any fragrance if your baby is sensitive to it.

When it comes to babies, always consider that less is more. There are certain products available in the market which are attractive but of no use. Some brands even sell baby perfumes which are unnecessary. Babies naturally smell divine. Using artificial scents actually ruins the matter. Don't be attracted to products because they look attractive and are new in the market. Buy only those which your baby actually needs. Also, read the labels carefully and ask a paediatrician before applying the products to your little one's skin.

All you need to know about bottle sterilizers

When you are feeding formula to your baby, it is very important to sterilize the bottles which you are using to prepare the feed as the newborns have an immature immune system. This makes them prone to many waterborne diseases. Although it is somewhat impossible to create a germ-free environment for the baby, sterilizing bottles help kill microorganisms that harm the baby's health. There are many ways to sterilize the baby bottles be it boiling, chemical sterilization or using a bottle sterilizer. Among all, steaming using an electric bottle sterilizer is something I prefer the most. I have been using this bottle sterilizer every day for 2 years and it does its job efficiently. You might use any sterilizer you wish to. All of them provide an equal amount of sterilization because they create steam through a heating coil. An adequate amount of water is poured into the heating coil and when the power is switched on, the water creates high-temperature steam which sterilizes the bottle efficiently. Make sure you place the opening of the bottles facing downwards.

Here I present you the benefits of using an electric bottle sterilizer:

1. Effective Sterilization: Steaming the bottles causes sterilization rather than boiling which leads to disinfection only. Sterilizing kills many bacterial spores which are even resistant to boiling. Bottle sterilizers can clean 99.9% of the bacteria which boiling might not be able to do so. Simply plug in your sterilizer and return back after the bottles have been sterilized. You can get clean bottles in a matter of a few minutes.
2. Convenient: Bottle sterilizers are very convenient to use. There is no water mess all around and it is a hassle-free process. It also requires less time as compared to boiling. One can get a hang of it pretty easily.
3. Less space consuming: No need of buying a large pot and no need to find a good space to keep it. Bottle sterilizers require very less space. Any table top might be sufficient. 
4. Safe to use: There is no fear of accidental spillage of hot water and as I mentioned earlier, there will be no water mess. Also, the bottles cool down faster as compared to boiling which might be easier for the parent to take out the bottles and prepare the formula. 

Many parents have the tendency of not washing and sterilizing new baby bottles which is an incorrect practice. Bottles may look squeaky clean at first sight but consider the number of bacterias and pathogens which might affect the sanitization property of the bottles. It is always advisable to clean and sterilize all baby bottles or any other utensils before use.


Cleaning the electric steam sterilizer:

Although electric steam sterilizers are very convenient to use, there is only one issue. The heating coil which is placed in the sterilizer might accumulate limescale which eventually damages the metal surface. It is advisable to clean the sterilizer after every two weeks depending upon the scales accumulated. Cleaning a bottle sterilizer isn't a big task. This remedy is almost advisable for all bottle sterilizers but make sure you read the instruction manual which comes with your bottle sterilizer before following these steps.

Pour 100ml white vinegar into the heating coil of the sterilizer and let it stand for 30 minutes to an hour depending upon the amount of limescale accumulated. Then rinse it off using a sponge and a mild liquid soap under your wash basin. Make sure you wash it a bit carefully by avoiding any contact between the wire and water. Also, clean the other pieces of equipment using a wet sponge. Your machine shall be sparkly clean without any deposits.


Bottle sterilizers are actually a boon to motherhood. Depending upon your model,  bottles can remain sterile up to 24 hours with the lid closed. I would recommend every parent to invest in one and see how easy the bottle sterilizing task will become.

Tip: I put RO water in the heating coil while sterilizing the bottles. RO water is less hard than tap water which makes the accumulation of limescale very less.

Tips for new mothers

Being a mother is the most tiring and the most satisfying job ever. The Moment the baby arrives, our 24*7 duty starts. Whatever activity we do depends upon the schedules set by the baby. Also, there a group of people giving advice which is sometimes irrelevant. It becomes quite difficult for the mommies to invite this sudden change to their lives. There is no such thing called 'perfect parent'. Nobody's perfect. Everyone learns from the mistakes committed. Comparisons in between parenting techniques of different people aren't correct. One should follow one's instinct and take decisions accordingly. Here are a few tips for the first time mommies.

1. Sleep Deprivation: I became a mother at the age of 22 and had no idea about this. My baby slept throughout the day and remained awake the entire night! It was a big shock for me. I and my husband spent numerous sleepless nights. It made us frustrated and out of frustration I used to cry and finally found out a solution to sleep when the baby sleeps no matter how many works are pending.
2. Bathing a baby:  Some people like to bathe their babies daily, but bathing a newborn every day isn't necessary. Its okay to bathe your newborn two to three times a week. It's better to give a sponge bath to babies whose umbilical stump hasn't dried or fallen. After the umbilical cord dries up, tub bath can be given. Use a small tub instead of a standard bathing tub and never leave the baby in the tub unsupervised even for a second.
   
3. Feeding a Baby: If you are a new mother, please ask the hospital nurse to teach you the proper latching techniques. Babies, if not properly latched to your breast can make the feedings painful. Find the position which suits you the most and feed accordingly. It's very important to check that the baby passes urine for at least 6 times a day and also keep a track of his weight gain. Please check out this for more breastfeeding related facts. If you are formula feeding your baby, sterilize the utensils required make the formula according to the directions given by your paediatrician.
4. Shopping for the Baby: Buy only the basic necessities. Babies grow rapidly. Clothing might not fit a baby after a week you have purchased. Instead, invest in gadgets like an electric kettle, a good breast pump, a bottle steriliser and so on. I had shopped for many clothes when my baby was born and I was surprised to see that they didn't fit after a week or 10 days. The result, many of the clothes lie untouched and unused resulting in a waste of money.
   
5. Maintain Hygiene: This was told by my gynaecologist right after my baby was born. Babies are vulnerable. Their immune system is weak as compared to the adults it's very important for the members of the family to ensure that the environment in which the baby is living is healthy. It's good to hold or touch the baby with clean hands. Also, wash or sanitize your hands while preparing the formula milk. Also laundering the baby's bedding often is a good practice and always make sure to wash your newborn's new clothes before you make them wear.
6. Don't Compare: Like I said, comparisons shouldn't be made between the parental techniques, it should also be avoided in case of the growth and progress of the baby. Just because your neighbour's baby was able to turn around at 3 months doesn't mean that your child will also do the same in the exact time. Each baby is different and develops differently.
7. Capture Moments: Do this regularly. They last forever. Maintain a baby log book and note down everything you wish is worth capturing. I clicked many photos and videos when my baby was young but now I feel I haven't clicked enough. Time travels fast and these captures will always make you feel elated.
   
8. Feel Good: Finally, feel good. if you feel good, you will make your baby feel the same. Its ok to frustrate, ok to forget something, ok to make mistakes. At the end of the day, you are the only one who knows your baby more than anyone else does. Always follow your instincts and do what the paediatrician says.

Parents are as wonderful as their baby is. You might make mistakes in parenthood and rectify them for sure. Babies outgrow their parent's lap but never outgrow their heart. Love your baby and always be confident because it ensures success.