My friend SCRUBS her baby in the bath every night....?

Question

...and then after she's dry, she covers the baby head to toe in a mineral based, Johnson & Johnson "baby" lotion. What will be the long term effect on the baby's skin?

So, everyone seems to think that the lotion is harmless. Is this to say ALL moisturizers are created equal? Even the petrol-based ones?

Answer 1

Ouch? Baby skin doesn't really get dirty like an adults. Their skin is so sensitive and soft. First off I think that child is going to grow up to hate bathing. She could cause her baby to have serious skin problems. Then the child's skin will be more sensitive than ever. If she's trying to toughen that baby's skin up or whatever, she's crazy. The baby will probably have old wrinkled skin long before what would naturally taken place.

Answer 2

The mineral based lotion wont hurt, but the scrubbing could, and bathing the baby every night. Babies dont need to be bathed every night, it dries out there skin and is un-needed. Unless they are dirty 2 nights in a row bathing every other day is what the doctors recommend. Scrubbing the skin, and by scrubbing I am assuming you mean harder than just normal washing (the capital letters make me assume so atleast) is not good at all. It can be painful, dry out the skin, and make the skin tender to the touch after bathing. Unless a baby has been dipped in an oil spill there is really no need for exessive scrubbing! If she takes offense to things easily, or is the type of person who thinks they are right and wont listen to how they are wrong then you can always do what I do, I just casually pretend to talk crap about someone else, saying they do whatever it is the person I really want to get the point across to is doing. In your case I would casually, and not during bath time or she'll know you are talking about her, say "God, this girl from work scrubs the heck out of her baby every single night in the bath. I guess she never read the bathing section in the parenting books or listened to her doctor when he explained that babies dont need to be bathed daily, only every other day, and the worst thing you can do is scrub your baby hard. I feel so bad for her baby, could you imagine having that perfect skin and getting your natural moisture sucked out because your mom is a germaphobe or something. Then to top it all off she scrubs your skin like you have no nerve endings or something and can't feel pain!" It always works for me! lol

Answer 3

There probably won't be any long term effects, but a baby only needs 2-3 baths a week, which "spot cleaning" all week long. Scrubbing is also not a good idea since a baby's skin is so soft and sensitive. And the same with the lotion, babies almost NEVER need lotion, even when they have dry skin, since it can just make it worse.

Answer 4

The scrubbing will likely irritate her skin (by making it red), but the lotion will make it soft. How old is her baby? If she has a newborn, a) it's not necessary to bathe a newborn every night. My sons' pediatrician recommended only two or three times a week, tops, because newborns don't really get dirty, and bathing every day will dry their skin out.; and b) a newborn's skin is incredibly delicate and the harsh scrubbing will really irritate it moreso than it would an older baby's skin.

Babies don't really need lotion. If you bathe them properly with the correct kind of soap, and don't bathe them too often, they won't have dry skin. Most people buy the products aimed at babies because they smell "nice." My boys' ped. recommended washing them with Dove sensitive skin soap (bar) and using Lubriderm Seriously Sensitive lotion (if needed).

Answer 5

There probably wont be any long term effects- however, if the baby seems to have dry skin, red patches, is becoming rashy, etc...then she probably should cut back. Babies dont need to be bathed more than once or twice a week. Too much bathing, especially if she is scrubbing hard, can easily irritate their sensitive skin.

Answer 6

Think about how to tell her gently that the baby's skin is much more delicate than she thinks. Maybe offer to show her how to bathe her? Baby's are so resilient, it's amazing what they can survive, but this may even be hurting the baby too, at the very least, uncomfortable! Does the baby cry?
This is a tough one, but she needs to be shown and talked to about it gently. Be creative, find a way to do it, the baby will thank you!

Answer 7

Beautiful skin, beautiful baby... Don't you know once upon a time they put pork fat instead of the Johnson&Johnson baby lotion? Trust me, that baby is much better than some in the world!!!

Answer 8

I too bathed my children every night and rubbed them down with baby oil. Their skin became very soft plus they slept well into the morning. Think about how you feel after you have a good bath at night,you tend to sleep better. So does the baby.

Answer 9

Have you tried talking to her? Babies have very tender sensitive skin. This treatment must be painful and irritating. Tell her to talk to the pediatrician about her bathing process. If all else fails, call Child Protective Services. That poor baby.

Answer 10

There is a possible correlation between being OVERLY hygienic and clean in your household and allergies. People need some germs to build up a resistance. If we eliminate all germs, then our bodies don't have the ability to fight off the bad germs. I have seen evidence of this in relatives who are overly clean (using Lysol on everything) and their children are allergic to everything. I, however, am slovenly and my kids are never sick :-) !