Baby Wash 101

April 30, 2020Amy Whitworth

BABY WASH! What is it?! Why do you need it? How does it work? These questions are certainly swirling around in your head right now. Mine too. Before we jump in on the answers, we must start at the very, very beginning.

With babies!

First, you might be wondering: What is a baby?

A baby, by definition for the context of this article, is an extremely young human person, one under the ages of 1-2 years.

Why do these "babies" need to be washed?

Babies, at the delight of everyone around them, cannot eat food in a proper civilized manner. They like to smash anything within their reach and mush it on their faces, in their hair, all over their tummies, throw it against the walls, the floor, and quite often, at you. There are no rules for babies, which is why they need a bath on occasion/most certainly after spaghetti dinner night.

Okay, so now that we are all caught up on the background info, here are some tips for picking the best baby wash for your little one!

1. STICK TO A BABY-SPECIFIC WASH

Harsh chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and sulfates are often found in adult body washes and shampoos, so it's best to stick to the baby-specific market. Look for terms like "non-GMO", "chemical-free", and "non-toxic".

2. CHECK FOR FRAGRANCE

Many brands that claim to be "tear-free" and "hypoallergenic" use essential oils for fragrance in their wash- and most of these natural fragrances are perfectly okay for your baby, even helpful in calming rashes or eczema. It is best, however, to always test a very small amount in the tub first, no matter what the label says. Even products that claim to be "unscented" may contain botanical extracts, so be sure to check the ingredient list as well.

3. GO PLANT-BASED/ORGANIC

Baby wash is typically made up of:

Water: H20, clear stuff, we drink it to survive.
Surfactants: or "surface-active-agents", the magnet molecules that break up dirt and grime; these are also the source of the fun bubbles/foam emollients: moisturizing ingredients that coat the skin
Preservative: to keep the ingredients from separation/spoiling
PH-balancing acid: this ensures the baby wash is as gentle as possible taking away the dirt and grime only (not the top layer of your baby's skin, like many harsh soaps would do)

With all this in mind, many of the terms on the ingredient list may look long and scary but are really just plant-based scientific names for each of these key ingredients. Plant-based ingredients such as those made from oatmeal, avocado, blueberries (even potatoes!) are gentle and effective and moisturizing. And what's more- after tub time is finished, there is no worry about the leftover bathwater headed down the drain and back to the ground. No chemicals being sent your way, Mother Earth! Win!