When Can You Start Using Soap or Shampoo on Your Baby?

Newborn baby skin is delicate, and what we use on their skin in those early weeks and months matters. While we want to keep our little one clean, we also need to protect their skin barrier and bathe them in a way that won’t dry out their precious skin or cause irritation. So, how soon is too soon to start using soap and shampoo?

When should you start using soap on your baby?

The World Health Organisation recommends postponing your newborn’s first bath until 24 hours after birth, where possible. This can help them maintain their body temperature and blood sugar during those fragile first hours, allow for more skin-to-skin contact, and help establish breastfeeding. Babies are also born with a white, waxy substance on their skin called vernix, which can help protect it from drying out.

During the newborn stage, warm water and a soft wash cloth are usually enough to keep babies clean. If necessary, you can use a gentle, soap-free, sulphate-free baby wash to clean any soiled or particularly grimy areas without drying out their skin. As baby skin is particularly sensitive and prone to dryness, it is best to avoid using regular soap altogether, as it can be too harsh. After the newborn phase, stick with a small amount of gentle baby wash to cleanse their skin at bath time.

If your little one is eczema-prone, you may need to continue avoiding soap even as they get older, because it can cause irritation and trigger flare-ups.

Do babies need shampoo?

For newborn babies, it’s suggested to wash their hair with warm water and a clean washcloth once or twice a week - shampoo isn’t necessary. But as your little one gets older, you can introduce a gentle shampoo made especially for a baby’s sensitive skin, scalp and eyes. Itchy Baby Co. Natural Shampoo & Body Wash is a gentle, fragrance-free and tear-free option formulated especially for sensitive skin. The best part? It’s a multi-purpose, top-to-toe cleanser that helps eliminate bathroom clutter - how good!

If your little one is battling cradle cap, using shampoo and other products may help lift the scales. We share more on managing cradle cap in this blog.

Do I need to use a wash or shampoo made especially for babies?

Choosing a wash and shampoo that is made especially for babies is recommended, as they usually exclude some of the harsh ingredients that can irritate little ones. However, even some baby products still include ingredients that might not be suitable for sensitive skin, so always check the label. Some ingredients that are best avoided for baby skincare include:

Sulphates: these are known to cause irritation and dryness, and can go by different names. Two of the most common are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES)
Parabens: these are frequently used in skincare products as a preservative, but can cause skin irritation and possibly affect the endocrine system.
Fragrances: whether natural or synthetic, fragrances can cause allergic reactions that may result in skin rashes and even breathing problems. Fragrances may be listed on the product label as ‘fragrance’, but can also be listed as ‘aroma’, ‘parfum’, ‘perfume’ and even ‘essential oil blend’.
Synthetic dyes: dyes can irritate sensitive skin, so opting for colourant-free products is best.
Phthalates: research suggests that exposure to phthalates can affect human development, reproductive health and allergies. Diethylphthalate (DEP) is said to be the only form still commonly used in cosmetics and can be found in the fragrances used in skincare. Another reason to choose skincare with no added fragrances!

Other ways to protect sensitive baby skin at bath time

Bath time is perfect for bonding with our babies and giving their skin extra tender-loving care. As well as choosing the proper body wash and shampoo for your little one, here are some more ways to nourish and protect their sensitive skin at bath time:

Always patch test new products on your little one before full use to check for allergies or sensitivities. If you notice any reactions, you should stop using the product and seek advice from a medical professional.
Keep their bath water lukewarm, as water that’s too hot can deplete their skin of moisture.
If their skin is dry or itchy, add some Itchy Baby Co. Natural Oatmeal Bath Soak to their bath water. The phenols in oatmeal have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe the skin, and the starches and beta-glucan act as a humectant to hydrate and reduce dryness.
Use soft washcloths and towels and gently wipe or dab their skin, never rub.
Apply their moisturiser immediately after bath time, once you have towel-dried their skin, but it still feels damp. This will help to lock in the most hydration.