New parent’s guide to baby skin care tips
You’ve brought your newborn home, wrapped up cozily in his or her swaddle blankets, and you’re trying to settle into your new routine with your bundle of joy. Keeping your baby warm, nourished and healthy will be on top of your list of priorities. Taking care of your baby’s skin and following some newborn baby skin care tips are just as important.
It isn’t uncommon to see people nuzzling a baby’s cheeks and face. That’s because a newborn baby’s skin is the ultimate blank slate – free of any blemishes and scars we accumulate over a lifetime. It’s for this very reason that your baby’s skin needs extra special attention – something that most new parents are concerned about. Your baby’s skin is thinner or more sensitive than that of an adult’s making it susceptible to humidity, heat, cold and the process of growing up. Here are a few newborn baby skin care tips to help you give your little one’s skin the protection it needs.
Natural skin care
A baby is born with a wrinkly, wax-like covering called the vernix. This protective coating peels off within the first week of birth. There’s no need to rush it or try to peel it off with creams and lotions. It is enough if you give your baby a sponge bath during their first few weeks, paying particular attention to your baby’s diaper area and mouth.
Don’t bathe your baby frequently
Bathing your baby too often can rob its skin of its natural oils and result in dryness and flaking. It can also lead to or aggravate eczema. Remember, your baby doesn’t spend his or her day outside your home. Apart from a little drool and diaper changes, newborn doesn’t get dirty. For the first month or so a sponge bath once a week is more than enough. You could try one of our soft baby wash cloths, too! Just remember the water temperature shouldn’t be too hot or too cold, as that could dry out your baby’s skin or give him/her a cold. Always use a soft cotton towel like our baby bath towels to pat your baby dry.
Avoid scented products
When talking about baby skin care tips, never use scented products on your baby’s skin. It will aggravate and make it dry. Antibacterial soaps, too, will be too harsh. Opt for a trusted baby soap or natural and home remedies for your baby skin care regime.
Use baby friendly-detergents
It is imperative you wash your baby’s clothes only with baby laundry detergents that are dye and fragrance-free. Ensure you wash your baby’s clothes, washcloth’s, bedding, etc. separately from the rest of your family’s laundry. Baby friendly-detergents are milder than regular detergents and won’t stick to your baby’s clothes. Similarly, a heavily soiled item of your family’s clothing could cause an allergic reaction or rashes if washed together with your baby’s clothes.
Diaper rash
Diaper rashes are common in babies and occur if your baby’s diaper is too tight, dirty or your baby’s skin is allergic to a particular diaper brand. If you’re looking for some viable newborn baby skin care tips, avoid diapers that aren’t soft and absorbent, avoid grainy and perfumed talcum powders, and ensure you change diapers as soon as your baby has soiled it. If the problem persists, make sure to visit the paediatrician.
Neonatal acne
Some newborn babies can develop eczema – a skin rash that becomes red, itchy and forms thick dry patches all over your baby’s skin. Eczema is an inherited skin condition that cannot be cured. However, it can be contained with the right treatment. Newborn babies are also prone to neonatal acne. Unlike teenage and adult acne, baby acne appears as tiny pink bumps on your baby’s face and chest and is a result of the mother’s hormones left in the bay’s body post birth.
Massages
Oil massages for your little one are great baby dry skin tips. Olive, almond and coconut oils are preferable options. Oil massages are a great way to hydrate and moisturize your baby’s skin. Ensure you use only natural oils and avoid commercial, fragranced oils at all costs.
Sun exposure
Your little one’s skin is extremely sensitive, and it is recommended you don’t expose your baby’s fragile skin to the sun, particularly during the first few months of birth. If you must venture out in the sun with your baby, ensure they are appropriately wrapped up in full-sleeved clothing, a cap and baby safe sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
Your baby’s skin is the first line of defense against the external world. Therefore, it requires special care and attention for your baby to remain strong and healthy. If you follow these baby skin care tips, you will gift your baby with good skin for the rest of their lives. As new parents, newborn baby skin care may seem complicated at first, but all you need to do is keep your prince or princess appropriately moisturized and hydrated at all times. And remember, with newborn skin care, the adage “less is more” applies perfectly.
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