For many expectant moms and dads, a big shopping trip to the drugstore is a fixed part of preparing for their little explorer. But when you stand in front of the baby care aisle for the first time, the wide variety of products can quickly feel overwhelming: cream, care milk, oil, powder… But which of these do you actually need for your (newborn) baby? With this article, we want to provide you with a small checklist of the products you should have at home for your baby's care, so you know which ones you can confidently do without.
Why does baby skin require special care?
Or is it actually a marketing trick, and could you just as well use your own creams and shampoos? This question can be answered with a clear no, because your baby's skin has fundamentally different needs and properties than your own. Baby skin is three to five times thinner than that of adults, and its protective function is not yet fully developed. As a result, it not only dries out more quickly, but pollutants of all kinds can also penetrate the skin more easily. This makes your little one's skin especially sensitive, which is why less is definitely more when it comes to baby care products. While you might value a pleasant scent in your own moisturizer, perfumes can irritate your little explorer's skin and trigger allergies. Therefore, when choosing the right care for your baby, make sure it is free of fragrances and other additives.
What products do I need for my baby?
The same minimalist approach applies to the number of products. LILLYDOO midwife Sissi recommends using as few care products as possible immediately after birth, especially if the skin shows no signs of needing support (for example, in the case of a sore bottom). However, it is still practical to have a few products at home from the beginning for all situations. From day 1, Sissi swears by , which is a real all-rounder. We have compiled the most important care and product tips for your baby as an initial guide, organized by body regions.
KÖRPER
Since babies don't sweat and don't get as dirty as toddlers, it is usually enough on most days to clean your body of your favorite as needed with a washcloth and clear water . Alternatively, you can also use our Damp washcloth for daily cleaning or in between. Tip from our midwife Sissi: Don't forget the skin folds! Especially on the neck or behind the ears, sebum and dirt tend to accumulate, and friction can easily cause these areas to become inflamed. To prevent this, Sissi recommends applying a little almond oil to a cotton pad or soft cloth and gently cleaning the folds. Since the oil contains no ingredients other than skin-nourishing vitamin E, it can be used safely even for newborns.
If the Umbilical cord remnant has fallen off and the navel is fully healed, you can also incorporate a small bath into your care routine once or twice a week. In the first few months, plain water is sufficient for bathing your baby. Later, you can use other products if needed. To add residual fat to the water, Bio Mandelöl is also very suitable for this purpose. In our article " Baby bathing - When, how often, where, and how ?" you can read everything there is to know about safe bathing for your baby.
PO
Every time you change your baby, the diaper area also needs to be cleaned. To avoid further irritation of the delicate skin, which is already stressed by the moist, warm climate in the diaper, you should pay special attention to gentle, skin-friendly cleansing here. This can be done, for example, with lukewarm water and a soft washcloth . To gently remove stool residue, you can also use some Bio Mandelöl . It also forms a protective barrier on the skin and helps prevent a sore bottom. Or you can make it easy for yourself and use our Wipes with 99 % water , because they combine exactly these two ingredients: plenty of water and a little almond oil for the nourishing component. For a gentle yet more thorough cleansing, we recommend our products for babies from six months old: Sensitive moist wipes .
If your baby still suffers from a sore bottom, a barrier cream supports the skin's healing process. You can also learn more about preventing and treating an irritated diaper area in our magazine article " ".
GESICHT
Even on the face, gentle cleansing with a washcloth and clear, lukewarm water is the treatment of choice. If your baby suffers from dry skin, applying a nourishing cream is also advisable. For winter, Sissi also recommends a wind-and-weather cream for the face when temperatures are below 4°C. This should contain no water to prevent the skin from freezing at sub-zero temperatures.
What you should keep in mind when cleaning your baby's eyes, nose, and ears, we have compiled for you in our magazine article " ".
KOPF
In the first weeks and months, it is completely sufficient to gently wipe your baby's head with a damp washcloth . While some babies are born with a dense fuzz of hair, they often lose it again within the first six months. Since baby hair is not exposed to significant stress and tends to produce little oil, you initially do not need a special product to wash your little explorer's fine hair. As your baby grows and develops thicker, longer hair, you can, if necessary, switch to a gentle Baby Shampoo . Compared to shampoos for adults, special baby products are milder and do not sting the eyes. After washing, gently towel-dry the hair and comb it with a soft baby brush . A regular hairbrush would irritate your baby's sensitive scalp too much.
NÄGEL
Many babies are born with relatively long fingernails and toenails. However, the transition from the nail to the nail bed is initially difficult to see on tiny fingers and toes, so you should refrain from trimming the nails during the first four to six weeks. After all, you don't want to cut your little explorer's fingers. ;) Additionally, the nails are so soft right after birth that the nail tip can be gently peeled off if it tears. Later, you can use rounded baby nail scissors to trim them. On the hands, this may even be necessary several times a week, whereas toenails grow significantly more slowly. The best way to do the manicure is with two people (one holds the baby's hand and the other cuts), while your baby is in a calm position, for example, sleeping or being breastfed.
Checklist - What should not be missing in basic baby care equipment?
Some soft washcloths
Premium pure plant oil, such as almond oil
Care cream for face and body
Possibly wind and weather cream
Wet wipes
Wound protection cream
Possibly mild baby shampoo
Baby hair brush
Rounded baby nail scissors
As you can see, the list is quite manageable. So don't be discouraged by the multitude of products in the drugstore, because gentle baby skin doesn't actually need much. And anyway, far more important than any little jar or pot are skin-to-skin contact and cuddles from you, which are precious bonding moments for your little explorer.
