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About Baby Shampoo

Bath time should be a fun time; after all, no parent wants a cranky, crying baby in the bathtub. But use the wrong shampoo -- and the wrong shampooing technique -- and you could easily end up with one. To avoid this happening, there are some things that every parent needs to know about baby shampoo use and safety.

  1. Why a Special Shampoo for Babies?

    • Typical shampoo, such as adults commonly use, stings when it makes contact with the eyes. Since babies are notoriously wiggly and it's easy to get water and shampoo in their eyes, a shampoo that's "tearless" is often a good choice.

    What Makes it Not Sting?

    • Most baby shampoos use a wetting agent or surfactant in place of ordinary soap. While such mild shampoos are no more harsh to the eyes than water, it's important to note even water can make a person's eyes sting, if the water has the right pH level.

      There are Internet rumors that some baby shampoos contain eye-numbing chemicals in them. This is false. The misunderstanding probably comes from the fact that many animal shampoos do have numbing agents.

    How to Use Baby Shampoo

    • Special precautions should be taken to prevent water or shampoo from running down the front of a baby's face -- even when "tear-free" shampoos are used.

      First, wet your baby's hair with a damp washcloth. Next, place a small amount of baby shampoo in your hand and apply it to the top of your baby's head. Gently massage the shampoo all over the hair, being careful to avoid getting suds anywhere near the face. If suds approach the face, wipe them away with a damp (not soaked) wash cloth.

      Lean the baby's head back and with a damp (not soaked) wash cloth, gently wipe the hair from front to back to remove the soap.

    Frequency

    • To prevent drying out baby's scalp, only shampoo once or twice a week.

    Chemical Concern?

    • Recently some have suggested certain chemicals used in baby shampoos may be harmful to children. One group demanding manufacturers remove these chemicals is The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which includes members of the American Nurses Association. The chemicals of concern is 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde. Both chemicals are considered possible carcinogens by the EPA.

      Baby shampoo manufacturers claim the chemicals appear only in trace amounts in their shampoos, and therefore are not a health risk. They also say they are important parts of their products, keeping them tear- and bacteria-free.

      Nonetheless, for parents who are concerned about these issues, there are baby shampoos available that are phthalate-, 1,4-dioxane-, and formaldehyde-free. Look for products by Burt's Bee, Angel Baby, and other brand names known for being "natural."

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