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According to some forecasts, we can expect to see the birthrate drop off slightly by the year 2000 but rise gradually again to peak in about 2009. At the same time the age at which people are having children is increasing. This could mean the parents would be better educated, have better incomes and therefore have more disposable income to spend on their children. But, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will have more time to spend with their children so the trend in baby and children's care products will be towards convenience; disposable diapers, disposable wipes, products that clean and moisturize at the same time. Parents, although stressed with the daily pressures of life, need to take the time to examine some of the products they are using on their children.

First, here are some facts about your baby that may help you decide which products you want to use. Babies are especially vulnerable during their first 4 to 6 weeks. Care to avoid challenging the baby's developing immune system should be exercised. Avoid using any baby cosmetic products at this time. A recent study on diaper rash ointments found that good old-fashioned lard, worked best! Food grade cornstarch and mild, specially formulated, safe (no SLS) baby cleanser can pretty much do the job.

The period from 6 weeks to six months requires another vigilant avoidance of contaminants. Babies intestines have spaces between the cells to allow ingested intact proteins to pass through to the blood stream supplying a breast-fed baby with necessary antibodies. This is a critical time for baby to build a strong defense system. Exposure to needless chemicals and preservatives during this phase of the baby's development is not only unnecessary but harmful also.

In babies the skin surface area to weight ratio is higher than in adults. That means when a product is applied to your baby or child there is a greater potential for absorption.

Babies and children's sebaceous glands are a lot less active so they tend not to need the frequency and intensity of washing that may be required by an adult or teenager.

The blink response of babies and young children are not fully developed therefore particular care must be taken when using even the mildest of shampoos or soaps around the eye area. It should also be noted that SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate) is more readily absorbed into the cornea of younger children and this is a common ingredient in shampoos and bubble baths. NEVER, NEVER bath your baby or children or yourself for that matter in dishwashing or laundry detergents!

Now, let's have a look at some of the ingredients in a few of the most common products you may be using on your child.

Baby powder is composed of talc, (hydrated magnesium silicate). Talc is a mineral and may contain tetanus spores so it must be purified and sterilized before use. Tremolite, a type of asbestos can be found in some talc so caution must be used when manufacturers are choosing a supplier of raw talc. Powders may also contain zinc, magnesium stearate, or lithium stearate instead of zinc stearate, because it is deemed less irritating. Your baby's powder may also contain zinc oxide, which improves its adherence to the skin. Zinc oxide also deodorizes by neutralizing perspiration odors and possesses antibacterial properties. This ingredient may be unnecessary since a baby's body doesn't produce the same amount of oils, and odors as an adult body. Some powders could also contain kaolin, a type of clay used for its high moisture absorbency.. Kaolin is used in many adult personal care products such as foundations. It's also used to create a slurry to put out forest fires. So called natural powders may contain rice or corn starch. These offer very good absorption but are prone to increase bacterial growth so many manufacturers will add an antibacterial agent in order to counter act this problem. This is important to note if you wish to avoid any extra contact with antibacterial ingredients for yourself and your baby, be sure to check if they are present. Some of the common ones used are zinc oxide and besethium chloride.

Most of the protective lotions and creams are petroleum derived, usually based on mineral oil with an anionic emulsifier such as triethanolamine stearate. These create a barrier and hold moisture in against the skin. They may also contain antibacterials and fungicides. Once again, if you wish to avoid any extra contact with antibacterials, be sure to check if they are present.

Baby Foaming bath products may contain mild detergents composed of milk alkyl ether sulphates combined with imidazoline or a betaine foam booster. A moisturizing property can be achieved by including polyol fatty acid esters. There have been studies that indicate some bath bubble products can cause urinary tract irritation particularly in young females. The resulting discomfort has often been misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Bubble baths can cause inflammation of the urethra and bladder. The symptoms and urinalysis results are identical to a bladder infection. However, the urine culture shows no infection. Misdiagnosis and subsequent treatment can all be avoided simply by avoiding the use of these products on your small children.

Baby wipes are usually paper with an oil and water emulsion used to clean and moisturize. They almost certainly will contain an antibacterial and some sort of preservative.

This is just a small sampling of a growing number of products available for your children. Market trends show that the future for personal care products for babies and children is on the upswing due to an increase in disposable income and an increased demand for convenience products. We hope that you will take the time to examine your baby's personal care products and choose them carefully.