GROOMING YOUR BABY

• Baby soap Or bath liquid Or foam. Baby shower soap is to be used sparingly and a gentle formula must be looked for. Natural soap for baby are advisable

• No-tears baby shampoo. For young infants , no-tears baby bath or foam can be used for shampoo. Natural baby shampoo are also available.

• Baby oil. This can come in handy if you need to gently clean a stick bowel movement off a sore bottom. It's also often prescribed for a cradle cap. Baby oil ingredients should be checked before a purchase.

• Baby powder. It is a must in warm weather and optional in winters. Do not use a talc baby powder. You can also use cornflour as a powder.

• Ointments or cream for nappy rash. Ask the doctor for recommendations as many creams are available in the market .

• Petroleum jelly. Such as vaseline, for lubricating rectal thermometers. Do not use it for treating nappy rash.

• Baby wipe. for nappy changes, hand washing on the go, cleanups after spit ups and leaky nappy incidents, and dozens of other uses. But use cotton wool balls and plain water for cleansing baby's bottom during the first few weeks and whenever nappy rash is a problem. Baby dry wipe or baby wet wipe may be used.

• Sterile cotton wool balls. For cleaning baby's eyes, for nappy changes in the first few weeks, and when baby has a nappy rash.

• Baby nail scissors or clippers nail. Never use sharp adult scissors; babies are squirmy and cuts can easily result.

• Baby brush and comb. Hairless babies won't need it for a few months at least. If baby ends up having lots of hair, use only wide toothed baby combs for hair that's wet and tangled.

  Nappy pins. You may need at least eight of them. Metal heads are better than plastic, which crack easily.

Items needed for nappy changes should be kept on a shelf high enough above the changing table to prevent baby's grabbing for them but low enough for you to reach easily. While buying lotions for your baby, read the labels carefully and don't buy those that contain peanut oil. Researchers have found that infants who re rubbed with such creams may be at higher risks of developing peanut allergies by age two.