Baby powder
Proper baby hygiene is an important aspect in raising a child. Baby powder is an astringent powder used for preventing rashes on the area covered by a diaper. Parents apply baby powders to the skin of their infants in order to absorb wetness and to prevent diaper rashes. Baby diapers are made in a variety of formats to include being; disposable, moisture shielding, scented, easily applied and extra absorbent. A disposable diaper is generally formed of an inner member to be in contact with the skin of a baby or sick person, an outwardly directed outer member and an absorbent member interposed therebetween. Prevention of diaper dermatitis, i.e., diaper rash, involves keeping a baby’s delicate skin dry and free of irritants. It has been practiced to apply baby powder each time the diaper is changed. The purpose is to protect against miliaria and diaper rash. Further, baby powder contains a suitable perfume, having the effect of destroying a bad smell given off from the egesta from babies or sick persons.
Baby powder typically consists of a fine, absorbent material such as talc or corn starch. Drying powders are typically either corn starch based or talcum based. However, corn starch may be irritating to sore skin, and baby talcum powder can be harmful to an infant’s lungs if inhaled during diaper changing. Topical baby powders having drying properties are commonly applied to assist in physically absorbing moisture and preserving skin dryness. The powder is stored in a plastic container having a plurality of spaced holes for use in dispensing the powder. A mother will dispense an amount either to her hand which she then pats onto the baby or to the baby directly. Most baby powders that are commercially available are packaged in shaker containers. These containers have lids or caps with multiple holes to allow the powder to flow from the container when the package is shaken. The powder can be shaken onto the parent’s hand or directly onto the baby’s skin. Baby powder dispensers are fabricated either of stamped metal, in which case they function by shaking the powder contents through openings in the top, or of flexible plastic, in which case they function by squeezing the sides of the container to force powder through openings in the top.