Is it OK to ink/stamp my newborn's feet?

Hi, I am new to scrapbooking. I have never used stamps or inks before, although I do buy them. :-) I have a newborn (2 weeks old) and I am curious whether it is OK to ink/stamp his feet? The only kind of ink pads I have are Staz On and I really don't want the ink to stay on his feet....but maybe it comes off of skin easily?

The baby is too little/uncoordinated to put his hands or fingers in his mouth, but I am guessing that it is not recommended to ink a baby's hands???

I haven't scrapped the new baby yet but I am dying to - if I can stay awake long enough! Thanks for your help and suggestions.

Hmmm...I don't think you'd want to use staz-on. I have a hard time getting that off my fingers when I get sloppy.

Ask your doctor what they used at the hospital. In our state, footprints are a part of your hospital birth cert. and I'm sure the person in charge of the nursery would know what to use.

Don't use staz-on!

I bought ink called "Baby's Touch" that is non-toxic and advertises itself as baby safe. I think I actually got it at Babies R Us. It washes off very easily. There are a variety of kid-friendly ink pads out there.

Cindy

Most dye inks are okay to use as long as you wash it off as soon as your done. Stay away from pigment inks. Try it out on your fingers first that will give you a good idea how it washes off.

I did with my DS and it was not hard to get off. He is four now and I cannot remember what I used but I think I picked it up in the kids isle.

I purchased a kit at M's especially for this. It came in a few different colors of ink (boy/girl), and it came off easily. 6 years later the ink still looks good... I bought another kit for my son a couple of years ago, but still haven't used it

LOL.. I would not use staz on either

this DOES give me an idea,,,

I'm doing a bab y book for a co-worker who is having a baby boy,,,,

I think i will do a page for his little footprints and include (along with the acid free journaling pen I was going to include) a baby stamp pad,,,

• cindy312 Said:

Glad I saw your tip; thanks.

I have a lo with my son's footprint on it! I think he was 5 months. I didn't have a problem getting the ink off. Gosh, I wish I would have thought of it when he was younger.

Okay, so I am both a scrapper AND a nursery nurse... these days, there are lots of special products, at work we use a special pad that doesn't put ink on the baby's foot, but puts the ink on the paper. (Like a carbonless copy). In the "olden" days, we used regular ink pads. The dye inks are going to be best, because it comes off easier. Here are some additional tips:
1. There is a knack to getting a good hand or foot print. You usually see feet because it is easier to make a newborn spread out his feet and toes, and the hands tend to be fisted.
2. Don't try to put the print directly onto your layout/certificate, etc. Put it on cardstock (or paper) and then cut it out and apply to your layout. Otherwise you are guaranteed to have smudgy prints, only 9 toes, etc.
3. Put card/paper onto a firm surface, like a clipboard. Ink the foot. Place heel onto card/paper, then slowly and steadily roll the rest of the foot down. Lift it off quickly (or move the card/paper away). Helps to have 2 people.
4. To get the ink off, use aquaphor or A&D ointment. Rub a thick layer on the foot after you made your print, then wipe off with a cloth, diaper wipe, etc..
5. Good idea to strip your baby down, and use an old towel or blanket under them for this. They will decide to cry and kick at the worst possible moment, and then you have ink on your clothes, their clothes, the bassinet, the couch, etc.

Be patient, you can try to do it while the baby is nursing and calm. And be prepared to practice a few times.

Just a reminder not to stop doing hand/footprints just because your child is no longer a baby. My son is almost 3 and I have done his handprints several times a year since he was born. We both love to look at the way he's grown. He's very small for his age, so it's an important reminder to us both that, YES, he is growing! His current handprint is double the size of his 6 month one.

Cindy

Thanks everyone for all the terrific advice. I am anxious to try this. You've been such a big help to me.

Even if you didn't want to use ink, you could use paint? Wet wipes clean off pretty much anything. I actually scanned my daughters hands and feet when she was born.