Understanding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
March 18, 2022
What should you keep in your baby grooming kit? A grooming kit may seem like an unnecessary item, but it’s actually really important to have one on hand if your child has special needs or if you’re just in a pinch. If you’re wondering what to put in your baby grooming kit, keep reading below!
It might seem like an easy thing to do, but cutting a baby’s nails can be a bit tricky. Even professional baby groomers are known to struggle. It’s recommended that parents buy baby nail clippers with a safety guard; some even come with magnifying glasses so you can get an even closer look at those tiny fingers and make sure you don’t cut too much off. In most cases, it’s best to cut just a bit off at a time until you’re left with only about 1/4 or so of nails. Trying to trim all of it at once will likely make it difficult for your little one. When clipping fingernails, hold each finger by gently curling it into a fist and keeping it tucked against their palm.
Combs are very important when it comes to caring for your child’s hair. They can be used to help you get tangles out, or they can be used to simply comb their hair. You can get small ones or big ones depending on how much hair your child has. Combs work on any type of hair, but you must make sure that it is made out of high-quality materials because otherwise, it will not work well on their delicate scalp. Be sure to stay away from things like plastic combs because they do more harm than good.
A baby’s temperature is most often taken rectally. Never force a thermometer into a child’s mouth, which can be dangerous. Choose a thermometer that is easy to read and convenient for both parents and babies. Most new parents aren’t experts in taking temperatures, so choose one that has visual indicators for 100 and 37 degrees F (like our top pick, Safety 1st Gentle Read Rectal Thermometer) or with an audible alert (like our runner-up, Braun Forehead Thermometer). Thermometers can be purchased online or at major drug stores like Walgreens and CVS.
Starting at around age 2, parents need to begin brushing their children’s teeth as well. Make sure to select a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles. Dentists recommend replacing toothbrushes every three months or sooner if they are getting worn out quickly. Start slowly: Brush one tooth for 30 seconds, then move on to another area and repeat. Then add a few more teeth until you are completing the entire set. Avoid using toothpaste until age 3. It is too abrasive for little gums and can cause them to become irritated or bleed more easily.
If a baby can’t breathe through his nose, he isn’t going to be very happy. And if mom is running around after him all day and picking up that snotty baby, she isn’t going to be very happy either. A nasal aspirator makes it possible for even a novice parent to clear out those nasal passages and give their child some relief from congestion. Some aspirators require batteries and others work on suction; get one that works for you so the baby can sleep soundly at night. You might even want two—one for home and one for Grandma’s house!
Ingredients are important when selecting sunscreen for yourself, but they’re absolutely crucial if you’re using them on babies. Their small bodies can easily be overwhelmed by harsh chemicals. Baby sunscreens with safe and non-toxic ingredients include Neutrogena Clear Face, Pure & Free Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70: This mineral-based sunscreen will protect babies from UVA/UVB rays and is recommended by dermatologists as a safe choice for use on children over six months old. It contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. CeraVe Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50: Baby products manufacturer CeraVe makes an excellent SPF 50 lotion that uses zinc oxide as its active ingredient.
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