Cleanliness all around baby

Q1. I am looking for a suitable cleanser for my new-born baby’s bottles and accessories. What should I look out for?

A. Most cleansers available over the counter should be appropriate. Unfortunately, I am not an expert in such cleansers. Speaking as a paediatrician and a parent, my wife and I adopt what we think is the safest approach. For example, we use a good amount of clean water to wash our baby’s bottles, besides using an appropriate-sized brush and cloth to remove difficult stains. We only use a cleanser for really stubborn or oily stains, followed by a good wash with water again. You should sterilize the bottles and teats after that.

Q2. I have just had my first child. Friends tell me that I should only use water to clean his skin during the first month, and that no soap, cream, wipes or washes are necessary.According to them, this will not only help to build up his skin’s immunity to allergies but also activate self-moisturising mechanisms to keep his skin smooth and supple. Is this true? If so, when should I start using soap on my baby?

A. It is true that when bathing babies, there is no need to soap them the way adults soap themselves. Babies are generally clean except for the groin area, which we need to pay more attention to. When my daughters were younger, I only added a few drops of liquid baby bath soap into the bath tub.

Barrier creams are useful when they have nappy rashes and wet wipes are convenient to use when we clean their buttocks after they have moved their bowels.

Our skin produces both oil and moisture and it has its own protective layer. Harsh soaps dry up the skin and its emulsification effect, removing moisture and oil. Skin irritation can occur and, with scratching, the protective layer can also be damaged.

There is no good answer for when to use soap. Use it when you need to and choose a baby soap which you are comfortable with if you are concerned about dryness. A baby moisturiser will work fine after that.

Q3. I have heard that formula with soap is very drying for babies’ skin. Why is this so and if there is no soap in the formula, is it sufficient to keep my baby clean?

A. Yes, it does dry up baby’s skin as mentioned above. However, most baby baths or washes available locally are quite gentle. Formulas without soap do not generate lather but are still able to cleanse the skin.

Questions were answered by Dr Tang Chien Her from the Singapore Paediatric Society.

The information provided is for your general knowledge only. You should seek professional advice or treatment for your child’s condition.

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