What kind of soap should you use for a newborn?

Newborns look tiny and fragile, and lots of new parents are a little scared about bathing their babies. It's not just the bathing itself that's frightening, the products that should be used to care for a newborn's sensitive skin are also a concern. What kind of soap should you use for a newborn?

There are all kinds of baby soaps on the market today, and most of them are very suitable for a newborn bath. Baby soaps come in liquid or solid form, and which one you choose is simply a matter of personal preference. Your normal, everyday "adult" soaps are often heavily perfumed and are aggressive. These soaps, which attack oily skin and body odors, are not only not necessary for babies, but will make their skin dry and their eyes irritated. Steer clear of these soaps.

At the same time, be aware that even the most gentle "no tears" soap can cause irritation for some babies. If your newborn develops a rash after you used a certain soap, it's best to switch to another brand. You may need to experiment for a while before finding the baby soap that you feel works best for your baby.

Once you've found it, don't think you need to soap your baby all the time. Newborns don't normally get dirty very quickly, besides the diaper area. Wiping the baby's bottom with a cloth with some soap and water is a great alternative to bathing the whole baby, after you baby has soiled himself. When you do give your baby a bath, it's entirely OK to use water only some of the time. This will prevent your baby's sensitive skin from being damaged.

When can you stop using baby soaps? Most parents agree that it's fine to start using a regular mild soap, or one marketed to older children, at around a year. Be sure to use a gentle shampoo and conditioner for the hair, though, too avoid toddler hair-washing dramas.