What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff Page A

for green products for your new bundle?
    The good news is that it’s easier and increasingly less expensive to keep your baby green or nearly so—especially as increased demand from parents is bringing supply and selection of green baby products up, and costs down. One example of this greening of baby care products: Many manufacturers have removed phthalates (chemicals that have been linked to problems in the endocrine and reproductive systems of infants) from shampoos and lotions. Other manufacturers have removed formaldehyde and 1.4 dioxane—two more ingredients that have come under scrutiny by environmental groups and concerned parents—as well as other possibly harmful chemicals, including parabens, from baby-care products.
    Reading labels helps you be more selective about the products that touch your baby’s brand new skin, whether you’re screening for green or just concerned about ingredients that might be irritating. Choose ones that are alcohol-free (alcohol is drying to a baby’s skin) and contain no (or the fewest possible) artificial colors or fragrances, preservatives, and other chemical additives (truly green ones will already have these boxes clearly checked off). And do your research, too, by checking out the Environmental Working Group’s database at ewg.org/skindeep , which will tell you about the ingredients in the products you’re thinking of using on your little one.
    Another thing to keep in mind: It’s not just chemicals that you may want to screen for when stocking up on baby-care products. If your baby has a skin condition or is allergic to nuts (perhaps there’s a family history of nut allergy or your breastfed baby has had a reaction when you eat nuts), ask the doctor whether it’s necessary to go nuts avoiding products that contain nuts (almond oil, for instance). Also be wary of any product that contains essential oils that may not be baby safe—again, the pediatrician will be your best resource in screening for those.
Baby’s Medicine Cabinet
    Here’s one area where less isn’t more—and less may actually not be enough. Because you never know when you might need one of the following items (and when you don’t have it is when you’re most likely to need it, Murphy’s Law and all), err on the side of excess. Most important, store all of these items safely out of reach of infants and children:
    Acetaminophen, such as Infant Tylenol, which can be used after age 2 months. You can use ibuprofen (Infant Advil, Infant Motrin) once your baby is older than 6 months.
    Antibiotic ointment or cream, such as bacitracin or neomycin, for minor cuts and scrapes, if recommended by baby’s doctor.
    Hydrogen peroxide, for cleaning cuts. A nonstinging, nonaerosol spray that numbs or relieves pain as it cleans can make the job even easier.
    Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream (0.5 percent), for mosquito bites and itchy rashes.
    Electrolyte fluid (such as Pedialyte), for fluid replacement in the case of diarrhea. Use it only if your baby’s doctor has specifically advised it—he or she will let you know what the right dose is, depending on the age of your little one.
    Sunscreen, recommended for babies of all ages (but don’t rely on sunscreen to protect your newborn’s extra tender skin—keep him or her out of direct sunlight, especially during seasonal peak hours).
    Rubbing alcohol, for cleaning thermometers.
    Calibrated spoon, dropper, medicine pacifier, and/or oral syringe, for administering medications (but always use the one that comes with a medication, when provided).
    Bandages and gauze pads, in a variety of sizes and shapes.
    Adhesive tape, for securing gauze pads.
    Tweezers, for pulling out splinters.
    Nasal aspirator. You’ll definitely get to know and love this indispensable product, fondly known in baby-care circles as “the snot sucker.” The traditional bulb syringe is inexpensive and