Baby Hub
Baby-Safe Cleaning Products: How to Keep Your Baby Safe & Sanitised
When it comes to cleaning your home and your baby’s products, it’s important to remember that what may seem safe for us, could be unsafe for your little one. A dishwashing liquid for example, could contain ingredients that are harmful if used to clean your baby’s bottles, however, works a treat on our drinking glasses. A disinfectant spray may kill bacteria like a boss, but could be harmful if it comes into contact with your baby's skin. So how do you know what’s OK to use and what to avoid? *Cue magical music* Look for naturally-derived, baby-safe ingredients When choosing a cleaning product for you and your little one, the key things to look for are naturally-derived, baby-safe ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals and toxins. In addition to that, seeking out products that contain biodegradable ingredients means you’re not only looking after your family but the planet at the same time! Pigeon’s Liquid Cleanser (Original & Yuzu) is a multi-purpose cleaning product which can be used to wash your baby’s bottles, teats, toys and even fruit and veggies! It effectively kills 99% of bacteria, is formulated with 100% food grade and naturally biodegradable ingredients; so it’s safe for your little one, and gentle on the planet. Plus, the baby-safe liquid cleanser smells great and is tough on milk residue and stains! Use a baby-safe laundry detergent If you have a little one with sensitive skin, you should look for washing products that are formulated for babies, fragrance-free and dye-free. Pigeon’s Baby Laundry Detergent is designed to wash away dirt, grime and everyday mishaps, without causing irritation to your baby’s skin. It’s anti-bacterial, paraben-free, dermatologically tested and safe for everyday use. Brush up on hygiene Finding the right brush to clean your bottles and teats is a must. Things you’ll want to look for are easy to grip handles (you’ll most likely be trying to wash with one hand while holding bub in the other), bristles that can get into all the little hiding places and optional brush sizes. Two magic wands that are essential for any homes that have baby bottles, are our 2 in 1 Bottle & Nipple Brush and Baby Bottle Sponge Brush. The 2 In 1 Bottle & Nipple Brush is long-lasting with proven efficacy for at least 10,000 strokes, whereas, the Baby Bottle Sponge Brush is a soft cleaning option that minimises scratching. Both bottle brushes will equally leave your bottles and teats clean and ready for sterlisation. Wash your hands It’s pretty textbook these days, but still important to remember how easy it is to contaminate equipment just by touching it with unclean hands. So, just to be on the safe side, make sure you wash and dry your hands before you handle any sterilised bottles and teats. Our hand sanitiser range is the perfect for keeping yours, and your little ones hands clean if your busy or on-the-go. We have a hand sanitiser cream and spray that is suitable for babies, and a hand santisier gel for adults. Sterilise, sterilise and did we mention sterilise? Babies have immature immune systems, and aren’t strong enough to fight off a range of infections. Milk (unfortunately) is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow if not handled correctly. This is why it’s important to sterilise all feeding equipment and keep the milk/formula cold until just before feeding your baby. There are several ways to sterilise your baby bottles such as boiling, sterilising Chemicals, UV sterilisation and steam sterilising. Steam sterilising is an option many parents around the blog choose as it is an effective and easy option. The Pigeon Microwave Steam Steriliser provides a simple and easy way to effectively sterilise your baby’s bottles, teats and accessories. It fits most sizes of nursing bottles and accommodates up to 5 standard or wide neck Pigeon bottles. Just pop your products into the steriliser, put it in the microwave for 7 mins and it can maintain a sterile environment for up to 24hrs (given the lid hasn’t been opened). At Pigeon, we have all your baby cleaning needs covered. Shop our baby-safe cleaning products. For more helpful info on all things mum and bub, visit our blog hub page. Ingredients to avoid Unfortunately, most ingredients sound like chemicals, so knowing which ones are potentially harmful is tricky. Here is a quick list of ingredients that are best to avoid where possible: Artificial fragrancesOften contain phthalates, parabens, and other chemicals. Synthetic preservativesFor example, methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), Benzisothiazolinone (BI) and Octylisothiazolinone (OIT). TriclosanOften used as a disinfectant and/or preservative. Dyes or colorsCan contain petrochemicals or harmful chemicals. Ethanolamine compoundsListed as Monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) or triethanolamine (TEA); cheap surfactants. Glycol ethers2-Methoxyethanol, 2-Ethoxyethanol, 2-Butoxyethanol - used as solvents in many cleaning products. Chlorine and chlorine bleachVery common in a variety of cleaners.Ammonia and ammonia compoundsCommon in glass cleaners, but also some dish soaps. FormaldehydeStill found in some cleaning products believe it or not, like laundry detergents and dish soaps.
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Baby Hygiene Tips: Keeping your baby clean and happy from hair to toe
When it comes to keeping our little ones clean and protected, there's often a long list of things we consider before buying a product. Things like ingredients, if the products are pH balanced, gentle on sensitive skin and our environment. And just like every one of our children, every personal care product is different, so which ones should you use for what purpose? Here’s our list.
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How to choose the right baby products for your newborn
Preparing for a newborn is both exciting and intimidating, especially when it comes to finding the essentials. Here’s a guide to help you choose what you will need.
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How to Choose Your Baby's First Bottle
Choosing your baby’s first bottle is more important than you may think. Here are 5 tips to help you get it right the first time.
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Breastfeeding to Bottle
Transitioning from breastfeeding to a baby bottle can be a scary time for parents, but there are ways to make the switch smoother.
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Baby Dental Hygiene Essentials
When those little teeth start to appear, it’s time to take a lesson in baby dental hygiene. So what do you need to know about baby teethers, toothbrushes and wipes?
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Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub
The science is in: So intertwined are the physical and mental health of mother and baby that the actions you take during pregnancy and after birth may have a direct impact on your bub’s overall wellbeing.
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Mum Guilt
In many ways, social media has made pregnancy, birth and the first few years of your child’s life a much more engaging experience for mums. After all, you can stay connected with friends and family throughout the journey, follow other inspirational mums on Instagram, and document your baby’s life from that initial scan right through to their first steps and beyond. But social media also has a dark side. It’s easy to get caught up in the race to be perfect, and feelings of ‘mum guilt’ can quickly creep up on us. The good news is you already have the tools in your arsenal to beat the guilt and get back to living your best life. Everyone has feelings of ‘mum guilt’ at some point in their journey If you’re a mum – or about to become one – it’s pretty likely you’ve already fallen prey to this awful feeling. Whether it stems from not spending time with your kids because you’re back at work, or feeling inadequate because (unlike those 'picture-perfect mums on Instagram), most of that mashed-banana-and-carrot meal is splattered on the floor instead of nourishing your baby’s belly. One of the least-desirable consequences of our content-driven culture is that we often feel like we’re not doing a good enough job at being parents. It’s a completely understandable – and common – feeling, but that doesn’t mean it’s rational. In fact, the guilt you’re feeling is doing you and your bub more harm than good. So what can you do about it? Get to grips with exactly what ‘mum guilt’ means Mum guilt is a psychological response to the pressures that society places on mums and the resulting pressures that mums place on themselves, especially for working mums who are away from their children for extended periods. Dad guilt is incredibly common too, and it could be something both partners are experiencing at the same time but are too afraid to talk about. Left untreated, this guilt can manifest in a variety of much more serious issues, such as anxiety, depression and negative coping mechanisms like drinking and drug use. If you’re worried that mum guilt is affecting other parts of your life, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Use these tips to beat mum guilt for good Guilt isn’t always a bad thing: In small doses, guilt can reveal exactly what makes you a great parent. How? By showing how much you care. So instead of always fighting the guilt, accept that it’s a normal feeling and that, despite your best efforts, you aren’t always perfect. Trust yourself: You’ve spent decades making choices that have led you to this exact moment. And that little bundle of joy? That was something you created, so trust that you have the ability to make good decisions. Focus on what makes you an amazing mum and ignore the negative self-talk (this may take a bit of practice!). Change your perspective: Accept that you can’t be all things to everybody. That means rather than feeling guilty because you can’t be with your child at all times, start to really appreciate the time when you are together. If you’re feeling guilty about working, think of the example that you’re setting for your child. They see you as a strong, capable and independent role model to look up to. And most importantly, remember that while being a mum may be the best part of who you are, it isn’t all that you are. Take care of yourself: Just like babies have love cups, so do you. Investing in your mental and physical wellbeing will positively impact what you’re able to give back to your family. After all, if you can’t love yourself, how can you truly love anyone else? The most important takeaway is this: looking after yourself doesn’t make you selfish or a bad mother – quite the opposite. Ask for help: Your baby might be the most intelligent, adorable and well-mannered kid in the whole world, but that doesn’t mean they won’t drive you crazy from time to time. The good news is your friends and family would probably be delighted to spend some quality time with them. So whenever you’re feeling a little deflated or run off your feet, reach out to your support network. It’s not only great for your mental health, but it will also expose your child to different people and new situations. Not even the biggest mumfluencers on Instagram are perfect, and they’re certainly not around for every waking moment of their child’s life. So rather than feeling guilty, focus on what’s most important: being a happy, healthy and well-rounded mum who’s a positive role model for your child. While you’re focusing on self-love, you can also make your parenting life a bit easier with some handy products – whether you’re expressing with the GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump, breastfeeding, or teaching your little one about good dental hygiene.
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To Dummy or Not to Dummy?
It’s a question that’s been swirling around parenting groups for decades: should I let my baby have a dummy? The problem is that you can ask a dozen different mothers, a dozen different maternal health nurses and a dozen different baby-development professionals and they’ll all give you a different opinion. And it’s this conflicting advice that can be detrimental to your child’s wellbeing – not to mention your own sanity. Thankfully, we’re here to help. First of all, there's no ‘right’ choice. Every child and every situation will be different, so don’t sweat the small stuff. While you’re here though, it’s a good idea to get educated about the pros and cons of dummies so you can make an informed decision that best suits your baby and your lifestyle. When is the right time to use a dummy? There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for when you should start using a dummy, but it is important to get bub’s feeding routine on track before introducing something new. Start too early and it could interfere with your baby’s confidence for breastfeeding. This is because the feeling of the dummy plus the innate sucking response may be confusing. That’s why it’s best to wait until your little one is around three to four weeks old before introducing the dummy. However, if they’re great at latching, feeding and gaining weight like a mini body builder, then starting with a dummy a little earlier is fine. Bottle-fed or premature babies may take a dummy earlier than three weeks, and this can actually provide parents with greater peace of mind. After all, research from Red Nose found “there is strong evidence that dummies are associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death when used consistently”. When is it time to take the dummy away – for good? No matter how good your baby is at taking the dummy, during naptimes they will inevitably tumble out of bub’s mouth. And when he or she stirs, it’ll be your job to pop it back in before they get too cranky or wake themselves up completely. That can put a real dampener on your own sleeping patterns, especially when the eight-month sleep regression hits. At around this stage, you may want to start thinking about lowering the frequency of dummy use – but definitely don’t stop the dummy cold turkey. Maybe only give them the dummy when it’s time for a nap and then once they are down you can take the dummy out completely. Over the course of the coming weeks and months, limit their use even more until it’s no longer a dependence. It’s recommended that babies only use dummies for sleeping and comfort from 12 months onwards, and by their second birthday it should be very infrequent if not entirely gone. What you don’t want to happen is for your bub to turn four or five and have increased dental problems later in life. The dummy: For or against While some parents swear by the dummy, others say the risk of dependence is too great. So what should you take into account when making a decision? Let’s explore: For Dummy Against Dummy Has been shown to reduce the risk of SUDI (sudden unexpected death in infants) when used regularly. Can create nipple confusion, which may interfere with breastfeeding and weight gain. It’s best to get into a good breastfeeding rhythm before introducing a dummy. Is a great way to provide comfort and soothe your baby - especially when it's bedtime. Slightly increases the risk of ‘middle ear’ infections.the risk of ear infections. Can help quieten your baby, which is especially helpful for mothers experiencing post-partum depression or sever sleep deprivation It may lead to poor eating habits, weight loss or interfere with weight gain. They are a great distraction! If bub is too cranky to feed and you need to pump, the Pigeon GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump can take care of everything while a dummy keeps the little one entertained. Risk of dependency Helps with traveling. The sucking and swallowing motions ease pressure in bub's ears. Prolonged or excessive use may lead to increased chances of dental problems as they grow up. Babies are very independent – if there’s no dummy, they’ll find the next best thing: their thumb. This is a much harder habit to break because you can’t confiscate a thumb!our baby wants to suck on something they will find the next best thing… their thumb. If the dummy gets lost, expect plenty of tantrums (so if you decide to use one, keep a few extras on hand!). The choice is yours – and there’s no ‘wrong’ decision Hopefully this information has helped put your mind at ease so you can focus on more important things – like raising your little one to be healthy and happy! Interested in learning more about baby accessories? Visit our guide to Breastfeeding While Travelling. For more tips and tricks on parenthood, breastfeeding and keeping your bub on the path to greatness, check out our helpful blogs or follow us Facebook and Instagram.
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