The good, the bad, and the ugly ... part 2 - Bath time

   Last time I wrote about baby clothing and all the inns and outs of it. Today I would like to get to baby gear. By baby gear, I mean the equipment used every day with the exclusion of big ticket items. I will write about big ticket items (like cribs, car seats, and strollers) another time. So what are some of the equipment that I want to mention. I will divide them into "Bath", "change time", "play time", "out and about". So here it goes:



BATH TIME

The good.
A good baby bath is essential in the early days. It doesn't have to be fancy with all the bells and whistles. A plain baby bath is all that's needed. I have had one that had a reclined seat build into it (like this one:The First Years Sure Comfort Newborn-to-Toddler Tub) and I really didn't care for it. Since the baby was always in a reclined position it was hard for me to wash my newborn's back and bottom. We eventually bought this one: Summer Infant - Bath Center with Shower, and I really like it. I don't use the infant sling insert, but just hold my baby cradled across my arm in the water. It comes with a very gentle sprayer and bath water thermometer. It's made my life easier in the first few days.

Simple organic washcloths are a must. Just small rectangle ones are fine.

Few hooded baby towels are very helpful in the early days. They are thinner and softer than adult type and are less bulky. Make sure they are 100% cotton!

The stores are packed with baby shampoos and baby washes. I have found that a drop of Dr. Bronner's Un-Scented Baby Mild Pure-Castile Liquid Soap into my baby bath is enough. Babies don't get very dirty and they really don't need harsh chemicals to get cleaned. For those that want something else, there are some very good natural baby washes (like California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash). Whatever you choose make sure you check out Campaign for Safe Cosmetics article and Skin Deep cosmetic database for which products are good for your baby.

You could spend millions of dollars on baby lotions out there. The truth is that baby lotions are full of fragrances, skin irritants, and unnecessary chemicals. The best baby lotion that I have found is Extra Virgin organic coconut oil. It absorbs quickly into the skin, smells lovely, and is good for baby (and your hands too). No need for any special lotions. Oh, and it works on cradle cap too!

Bath toys (for older babies) should be simple and non-toxic. Simple latex rubber duckies (phthalates and BPA free) are best. Here is one that I love: Sitting Duck Bath Toy - Natural Latex Rubber - No Phthalates or BPA.

Good bath thermometer. This is really important once you move your baby from baby tub to a grown up tub. I have this one,Duck Bath Thermometer - Mobi and have used it for over 5 years and it's still going strong. Plus it's very accurate!

The bad
Mitt washcloths are a nuisance. Especially the ones that are shaped like characters. Sure, Mom and Me Wash Mitts - Owl are cute but not very practical. Plus they are way too expensive.

Any bath toys that may have BPA or phthalates added to them. This is especially important since these chemicals might be released more in warm water. One or two good quality toys are better than a tub full of cheap toys.

The ugly
Any product that is meant to be used on baby's skin (shampoo, body wash, lotion) and it's full of chemicals and irritants. Baby's skin is very sensitive and already prone to rashes, break outs, and sensitivities. The last thing that anyone needs to put on baby's skin is chemicals (fragrance, dyes, preservatives, among other things). Beyond causing skin sensitivities, these products might expose your baby to chemicals that could accumulate in baby's body and have negative effect on the baby later on. Let's skip all the chemicals and bathe babies in safe alternatives!

Baby bath rings and seats. These are controversial at best. Many babies have drowned while they were being used. The seat in itself is not dangerous, but the fact that it gives parents a false sense of security to leave the child unattended in a tub is what causes injuries or death. I always avoided them. The best thing to do is to sit beside the tub and hold your child under arm at all times during bath. It might be inconvenient, but it's so much safer.

Bath toys that are meant to squirt water since they can be a perfect place for growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. Better stick to solid toys that can be easily washed after every bath time, like these ones Boon Scrubble Interchangeable Bath Toy Squirt Set. I have owned them for few years and they are awesome.

Any PVC bath toy. PVC (or commonly called vinyl) is the same stuff that your plastic shower curtain is made from (if you use one, we don't). It smells awful and it produces off-gasses. It's very toxic and should be avoided in your house all together, but especially in baby toys!