Being a mother brings the feeling of an immense amount of pleasure and pride. However, fears and concerns related to baby skincare can hover upon happiness. To shift all the motherly burdens about your baby skincare, we bring to you some tips and tricks that may assist you in handling your newborn more delicately when it comes to their tender skin. A baby’s skin is not like grown-up’s, they need extra care and nourishment. Let’s learn the importance and know how to take care of newborn baby skin, to achieve healthy skin.
Why Is Taking Care Of Your New Born’s Skin Important?
When your baby enters this world, it is a moment of sheer joy, happiness and emotional outflow. But at the same time, it is also the moment of important realization that since your baby is nowhere, he/she needs extra protection from the harsh and extreme conditions of the outside world. As new mothers, it is natural to not be able to entirely comprehend the importance of newborn baby skincare. Allow us to guide you through the various aspects that would highlight the importance of good baby body care in a newborn’s life.
Please keep in mind that a baby’s skin is not just exceptionally soft, it also acts as a shield for the baby that protects it from the outer world. The Baby’s skin maintains his/her health and helps in defending the baby from any kind of irritants, germs, and bacteria. It also maintains the body temperature. It thus becomes more important for us to pay extra attention when it comes to a baby skincare routine.
As compared to an adult, a baby’s skin is:
- 30% thinner than an adult
- Gets dehydrated and devoid of moisture easily
- More irritation-prone surface
- Less water-retaining capacity
- Needs more protection from extreme environmental changes
What To Avoid When It Comes To Baby Skin Care?
1. Don’t Over-Wash
Babies don’t need an everyday wash. Avoid giving babies a very long, hot wash as the hot water can negatively result in rashes or burns. Instead, give a lukewarm body bath twice or thrice a week.
2. Avoid Using Fragrant Products
Fragrance-free products are more dermatologically safe for babies since it does not carry any chemicals that may be harsh to the baby’s skin.
3. Apply Sunscreen Only When Needed
Always try avoiding unnecessary use of the sunscreen for your baby. Always try to use shade as a better alternative to the sunscreens. It will help in the natural protection of the sun without any chemicals.
How To Take Care Of Your Baby’s Skin?
To ensure good baby skincare, you, as a parent need to take care of the following things:
1. Cleaning
A newborn baby’s skin is layered up with a greasy white substance called vernix which is often peeled off in the first few weeks after the child is born. This process does not need any external help except a little sponge massage while the baby is bathing.
2. Bathing
Bathing is said to be the most crucial step of all. A baby’s skin is soft and gentle. Any kind of hard scrubbing against the skin can result in rashes, dryness, or flaking. Try bathing your baby 3-4 times a week with lukewarm water and a bar of mild soap. When he/she has taken a bath, make sure to set the room temperature, warm to protect the baby from cold. Use the towels gently to pat dry the excess water.
3. Powdering
If you feel that the water hasn’t dried and you want to speed up the process. You can take the help of baby powder. Only in case of any irritation, it is advised to use a talcum powder. Don’t use just any talcum powder available in the market, consult a dermatologist about the right product. Try not to use the fragrant powder, especially near genitals and on the face as it can cause some serious skin problems.
4. Moisturizing
Since a baby’s skin is not moisture resistant, it is important to use an external source of moisture such as a good moisturizer. Use a gentle cleanser that will not directly dry out the baby’s skin and then use a commonly utilized baby-specific lotion. This helps in maintaining baby skincare in winter.
5. Diapering
Diapers form a large part of a baby’s skincare routine and it is important to change a baby’s diapers timely to avoid commonly experienced diaper-rash and skin problems. Change the wet or dirty diaper as soon as possible. Also, make sure to loosen it a bit if it is too tightly tied. If possible after every diaper change, let the skin breathe so that there is no possibility of any moisture that may cause irritation and rashes.
6. Massage
According to the traditions and customs of India, massaging tends to be one of the best ways for bonding with the babies and to also increase the blood circulating in his/her body resulting in better metabolism. Strictly avoid usage of commercial fragrant oils on the baby’s skin. Instead, use coconut oil.
7. Sun Exposure
We all are informed about how the sun is one of the best sources of Vitamin D which is necessarily required by the human body. It helps in the growth of bones and improves metabolism. But at the same time, if your newborn is wandering in the scorching heat, give them full-sleeved clothing to avoid any kind of sunburns and rashes.
8. Cotton Clothes
One of the most common ways of cultivating infections is by the sweat that accumulates in the skin folds and when the skin is not able to breathe out of the fabric. Always use cotton fabric over any other fabric to ensure that the skin breathes just fine. The cotton fabric also prevents irritation and discomfort caused by excessive sweating.
9. Gentle Detergents
Wash a newborn’s bedding and clothing once with the gentle detergent before using them. A baby’s clothes should be washed separately from the rest of the clothes to avoid the transfer of germs and any infections that could otherwise be transferred.
Key Takeaways
- Baby’s skin is soft, tender, and fragile as compared to an adult’s life, therefore be extra cautious
- Avoid using fragrant, chemical bearing products
- Try looking out for more natural alternatives to the chemical ones
- Don’t use very warm water for their bath
- Make use of soft fabrics and detergents
- Moisture containing foods should be provided
Having and managing babies can be difficult and so it can prove to be a little difficult but then the pleasure and satisfaction of parenting are unmatchable and extraordinary. Keeping in mind these tips, you can take adequate care of your newborn and handle them in all circumstances.
