Useful information on choosing a baby shampoo and tips on washing your baby's hair

Baby shampoos need to be incredibly gentle because of the risk that at least some of it will end up in or near your baby's eyes or mouth, although shampoo shields can be used to prevent this.

Baby shampoos are specially designed to gently cleanse, moisturise and protect your baby's scalp and hair and are much softer on the skin than those designed for adults.

When choosing a baby shampoo you should look for one that is free of soap and alcohol and that is hypoallergenic and dematologically tested. If your baby has sensitive or dry skin you should avoid baby shampoos that are perfumed or that contain fragrance.

Organic and natural baby shampoos are also available. These are designed to be kinder to the environment as well as your baby's hair and skin and often use essential oils in place of chemically derived fragrances.

You only need to wash a small baby's hair once a week and should use only the tiniest blob of shampoo. It is important to be very sensitive to your baby's head as well as avoid rinsing over the face (this shouldn't be too much of a problem with a very young baby if you support them with one arm and rinse with the other). You must rinse well to avoid residual product causing irritation.

To help keep your baby wam and happy after a hair wash, you should wrap them in a hooded towel as soon as you take them out of the bath.

How to bath your baby

How to bath your baby and what you will need to make baby-bathing easier:

• Get together everything you may need to bath your baby.
  
• Take your baby to the bathroom or place you have chosen to bath him and undress your baby, only when the bath water is completely ready. You may decide to bath a small baby in the room where he sleeps to develop a routine, or if you have older children to bath your children all together.
  
• Use soap sparingly, as it dries your baby's skin. Wash your baby with your hand, a flannel or a sponge from top to bottom, front to back.
  
• Wash your baby's scalp with a wet, soapy cloth. You will only need to wash your baby's hair with shampoo once a week.
  
• Use moistened cotton wool to clean your baby's eyes and face. One piece for each eye and another for his face. If dried mucus has collected in the corner of your baby's nostrils or eyes, dab it several times with a small section of a moistened cotton wool to soften it before you wipe it out.
  
• A routine wash of your baby's genitals is all that is needed. For girls, be sure to wash the area from front to back, being careful to gently clean between the folds of skin. Simply wash a boy's penis with soap and water.
  
• Wrap your baby in a towel and pat him dry.
  
• If your baby's skin is dry, or if he has nappy rash, you may want to apply a mild lotion after his bath.