Calm and Confident Parenting Advice

Cost-saving essentials for new parents, plus tips and advice for bringing up baby

From the LifeMinute.TV Team

April 19, 2022

We’re always looking for calm and confident parenting advice. From bath time to skincare and more, here are some of our tips for bringing up baby.

One of the first questions parents of newborns ask is what type of laundry detergent to use. The answer is gentle, hypoallergenic products. Arm & Hammer, a trusted brand, just introduced their new hypoallergenic detergent for babies. It's a liquid detergent that removes messy baby stains. Yet, it is free from harsh chemicals, dyes, and preservatives, so it's gentle on a baby's skin.

At a time when we’re seeing rising costs, this detergent is also affordable too. Parents can use it on newborn stains to solid food stains from infants. The detergent is made with safer ingredients, meeting EPA Safer Choice product standards. And it's pediatrician tested. You can get it at Walmart or online and select grocery retailers in two sizes.

Next up is skincare regimens. Many adults often talk about getting baby soft perfect skin. But newborn skin is not always perfect. Rashes are common. And they are often a big source of concern for many new parents. The good news is that most newborn rashes are benign and get better very quickly with minimal treatment. But some do require treatment. If your baby seems unwell or you are concerned, call your pediatrician.

In the beginning, caring for your newborn’s skin is pretty simple. Initially, minimal baths and water are all you need. The recommendation is minimal baths, two times per week. At most every other day. Newborns and infants are not crawling around getting dirty at this age, so there is no need to bathe them daily. And more frequent baths will just dry out their skin more.

Also, although parents often like to use lotions on their babies after a bath, this isn’t necessary. However, if you prefer to use a lotion, use only baby lotions and put them on the baby’s skin while it is still wet, then pat dry. Babies are often born with very dry skin, especially past the due date. The skin will peel, but the skin underneath is soft. The dry skin will get better without treatment.

When it comes to diaper rash, frequent diaper changes help. It should happen approximately every 2-3 hours. Or, of course, when your baby has a wet or dirty diaper, to prevent rash on the skin. Have a Munchkin diaper pail on hand, which can help control odor from those frequent changes and make the changing process easier.

Occasionally, air-drying the diaper area can also help prevent diaper rashes. Diaper cream or ointment can be used to prevent a diaper rash since they provide a good barrier between the diaper and the baby’s skin. If the baby does develop a rash, we find Triple Paste works great. But any product with zinc oxide works well to heal irritated skin. If the diaper rash doesn’t improve or it gets worse, see your pediatrician.

It’s important to create a nighttime ritual to help create better sleep habits, which is so important too. Getting into a routine ensures a good night’s sleep for everyone and can be done no matter what’s going on in your home.

In case of an emergency, keep a few complete first-aid kits, for example, one at home, one in the car, and one in the diaper bag. Buying a pre-made first-aid kit is one good way to get all the key basics in one go. Then, simply add whatever else you need or want, things such as a thermometer, petroleum jelly, alcohol wipes, sterile gauze pads, baby wipes, bandages, and antibiotic ointment. Just make sure everything is up to date.