You’ve brought your newborn home, and you’re getting used to your new daily schedule. The most important thing is to keep your baby warm and well-fed. Baby skin care is no less crucial.
Baby skin care and immune system is extremely important and you must be well educated regarding the same. Clothing, detergents, and baby products that contain chemicals, fragrances, or dyes can irritate, dry out, chafe, or rash newborn skin. However, there are a plethora of things you can do to keep your baby safe from developing any of skin issues.
Here are a few points to keep in mind regarding baby skin care and health
1. Do not bathe your baby too often
The natural oils that protect a baby’s skin are washed away when they are bathed too often — more than three times per week during infancy. As a result, the skin of the baby could become exposed and dehydrated. Eczema can be made worse if you bathe your baby too often. Newborns don’t get very dirty aside from drool and diaper changes. Babies don’t go to work from 9 to 5 and then hit the gym! Your baby will be clean for the first month or so if you give them a sponge bath two or three times a week. In between, use water or a cleanser to clean the baby’s mouth and diaper area.
For newborns still attached to the umbilical cord, once-weekly sponge baths are ideal. This is a crucial point to understand baby skin care.
2. Rashes on babies
Because most newborn rashes are considered “normal,” there is no treatment other than waiting it out. When it comes to rashes, it’s critical to get advice from your doctor about what to expect and whether or not you’ll need any additional treatment. Consult your baby’s pediatrician for advice on how to take care of baby skin care.
3. Choosing the right powder
Talcum powder selection for your baby should be handled with extra care. Make sure to use baby-specific products and stay away from powders that contain fragrances or other chemicals that could irritate the baby’s skin. Powdering is a must in baby skin care.
For the diaper area, use herbal powders instead of those that contain grains. Powdering the diaper area is generally discouraged because it can lead to further problems or infections.
4. Diaper rash
Urine, stool, and detergent can all irritate the skin, resulting in diaper rash. Yeast infections, bacterial infections, and even allergies to diaper material can all contribute to diaper rash. When changing diapers, be sure to do so when they are still wet or dirty, and allow the diaper area to dry completely in between. Help is available in the form of topical barrier cream or ointment such as zinc oxide or A&D ointment. If your child’s paediatrician recommends them, you can get creams and treatments for diaper rash. It is crucial to be aware of diaper rash when it comes to baby skin care.
5. Cradle cap
A common skin condition in newborns, cradle cap appears between the ages of three weeks and three months.
Plaques, which are yellowish and greasy-looking, appear on your baby’s scalp and on the crown of their head if he or she has a cradle cap. As well as on the scalp, a cradle cap can appear on the face, brows, and ears.
The cradle cap usually goes away on its own after a few months of being present and is not extremely harmful when it comes to baby skin care. Applying a small amount of emollient, such as mineral oil, to the affected area before washing your baby’s scalp and head with a mild shampoo may help before bathing your infant.
If your baby’s condition doesn’t improve after a few washes, consult with his or her doctor about other treatment options.
6. Nail growth
Because of this, even if your baby’s nails are tiny and thin, they could be very sharp. Nails that grow too long or become too sharp can scratch your baby’s face or body, so keep an eye on how his or her nails develop.
File or trim your baby’s nails as often as once a week if they are growing quickly. For gentle smoothing and shortening of the nails, use a non-metal nail file or a baby nail clipper.
To avoid injury from sudden jerking movements, it’s best to file or cut your baby’s nails while they’re sleeping or very relaxed.
7. Dry skin
Use a natural moisturiser on your baby’s dry skin to keep it hydrated, soft, and supple. One of the most popular cooking oils is unrefined coconut oil.
Bathing your baby too frequently can deplete the skin’s vital nutrients, resulting in dull, dry skin.
To keep your baby clean while also preventing her skin from losing its natural moisture, gently sponge her with plain water two or three times per week during the first month as mentioned above.
Make use of baby skin care products. When it comes to bath products like gels, shampoos, and lotions, be cautious if your baby has an allergy to any of those.
8. Consider the products you’re buying
Use baby skin care products, such as fragrance- and tear-free shampoos, bath gels, and lotions, to keep your child’s skin healthy. Be aware of your child’s reaction to each one you use in case they are allergic.
Keeping your newborn’s skin moisturised is crucial, so keep a supply of lotions on hand at all times. Keep your baby’s skin soft with ointments, which are thicker inconsistency.
Until your child is a toddler, stay away from perfumed, antibacterial, and deodorant soaps as they may be too harsh. You should only use baby soap on your child.
9. Baby acne
Maternal hormones are to blame for acne neonatorum, also known as neonatal or baby acne. Acne in adolescents is caused by the same hormones (estrogens). With this one, no treatment is required because it will go away on its own in a matter of weeks. Having pimples on your baby’s face is quite common.
Here are some bonus baby skin care tips for you to follow!
- The skin and immune system of a newborn baby are extremely delicate. Direct sunlight should be avoided until the baby is six months old. Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats can all help to protect a baby’s delicate skin.
- Make sure your baby’s new clothes are clean; wash (and soften) them first before putting them on your baby.
- Sweating causes prickly heat to appear in places like the armpits, folds of the skin, and the neck diaper area. Prickly heat rashes are easy to treat with loose clothing and a cool environment.
- Chemical detergents, talcum powder, and some baby products can irritate the skin and cause rashes, dryness, and other problems. To keep your baby’s skin free of infections and allergic reactions, use organic products whenever possible.
We hope that our article on baby skin care has helped you see that your baby’s delicate, delicate skin deserves nothing less than the best treatment possible!
