Contrary to what is always believed that a baby’s skin is soft and smooth, it is usually dry, sensitive, and flaky, especially when they are newborns. As soon as an infant comes into the world, they can develop numerous skin conditions such as acne and rash. As baby skin is sensitive, you have to look after it with utmost care.
From bath and sun exposure to washing baby clothes to weather conditions, there are lots of ways daily life can affect your newborn baby’s soft skin. To help you conveniently and carefully take care of protecting the baby’s smooth skin, from head to tiny toes. Let’s explore!
Common Baby Skin Care Conditions
Infants are known for delicate and soft skin, which is prone to many skin-related problems. Here are some of the most common baby skin conditions that can occur if not taken care of properly.
Dry Skin: Like adults and older people, babies can also develop dry skin. It is especially common among newborns who may have dry and peeling skin while they are adjusting to environmental conditions outside the womb. However, dryness goes away in two weeks, but if it gets prolonged, it can cause skin irritation and cracking.
Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis): It is a skin condition that can affect the baby’s scalp of your little one at any stage of development. Baby dandruff is generally mild and can be treated with the help of gentle shampoo specially formulated for newborn skin.
Heat Rash: The reddish spot and rash can appear on the face, neck, as well as torso of the child when the weather is intensely hot. A cool bath is the best treatment, along with skin talcum powder, baby lotion and other gentle baby powder.
Cradle Cap: This condition is visible when your little one develops yellowish patches and flaking. Cradle cap can happen due to overactive glands right after entering the world. You can loosen the cradle cap by rubbing the mineral oil gently and washing the affected area with water and mild soap.
Diaper Rash: If the infant’s skin is reddish and sore, it is diaper rash. In this condition, you need to keep the diaper area clean and dry.
Baby acne: When tiny red bumps appear in your baby’s bloodstream due to the presence of the mother’s hormones. To treat this acne, do not consider scrubbing and soap. Only wash and clean the baby’s face with normal plain water.
Milia: It is a common condition visible when white bumps may appear on the baby’s nose, cheeks, and chin. However, it does not demand any particular treatment. Milia will automatically be treated in a few weeks.
Eczema (Atopic dermatitis) : This condition can develop an itchy rash and uncomfortable rash that is typically flaky and dry. Applying gentle lotion on damp skin acts as a cool mist humidifier.
At What Age should you Start Newborn Skin Care?
Many people do not consider skincare until the babies are much older. Your baby may not be worried about under-eye swelling or flaky skin, but as a parent, you must take care of the baby’s skin as you do your own.
Ideally, the baby’s skincare should be started as soon as he is born. Newborn babies are born with wrinkly skin with a protective covering known as vernix. It naturally peels off in the first week of life, leaving extremely dry skin.
To avoid the temptation to rub it and treat it with gentle lotions. Moreover, you should avoid bathing your child more than three times a week because it will lead to dandruff and eczema.
How to Properly Take Care of a Baby’s Skin in Intensely Cold Weather?
Cold weather, as well as indoor heat, can damage the baby’s delicate skin, which leads to flaky and dry skin. Therefore, you need to take some extra precautionary measures when the temperature drops. To avoid cold weather impact, you can:
- Shorten the duration of the bath
- Use cleanser with mild or no fragrance
- Apply lotion or gentle cream
However, you can also apply hypoallergenic moisturizer if you witness rough patches on the little one’s lips and cheeks. You are also suggested to use balm and cream before going outside to protect skin from all think and thins of weather. Try to use a humidifier in the room until his skin becomes able to retain moisture.
How to do Infant Skin Care in Warm Weather?
Warm weather can significantly impact the baby’s skin. To protect him from UV rays and the heat of warm weather, dress him in simple thin cotton clothes with wide brimmed hat.
You are also suggested to apply mild sunscreen to the skin out of the clothes for sun protection. To avoid heat rash, get an outfit that is lightweight and breathable. This skin condition in infants is likely to appear in skin folds such as elbows and baby’s diaper area. Hence, try to keep the neck and other skin fold spots dry. Then skip clothes for a while to expose the area to the air.
How do you Keep the Baby from Bug and Mosquito bites?
Some mosquitos may find your baby’s blood and tender skin a favorite spot for a party. So remember that the same type of clothing that helps prevent direct sunlight contact can provide protection against bugs. Moreover, it is safe to use DEET-based bug repellent for two months, but do not select a product that contains not more than 30% DEET.
To avoid infant bug bites, you can also attach a mosquito net around the stroller or bed.
How Do You Take Care of Baby Skin?
Do you know when humans have the best skin in their life? When they are babies. Proper skin care at that time can ensure that your baby will have ideally soft and clear skin in their life. It also prevents the development of worse skin problems and reduces the effects of already existing conditions. Here you will learn to take care of baby skin.
Limit Time in the Sun
Be mindful of limiting your baby’s time in the sun. While carrying them with you, try to keep their skin out of the sun, whether it is summer or winter. According to FDQ, you are suggested not to apply sunscreen for the baby under six months for sun safety.
Best Bathing Practice
Proper bathing can be a game changer for a baby’s skin. Stick to best practices and consider sponge bath. Anyhow, regular bathing does not mean an everyday bath. You can use a soft washcloth with warm water to keep the hands, face, feet, genitals, and other parts clean. Follow the following tips for healthy bath time:
- Hold the baby strongly and never leave them out of sight near water.
- Use lukewarm water.
- Perform the bath in a warm room.
- Wash the face and eyes of the baby with only water.
- You can also add some mild fragrance and dye-free baby soaps while washing baby’s hair and body.
- Keep the bath time short.
- After completing the bath, gently pat to dry the baby’s skin completely before putting them in loose fitting clothes.
Avoid Contact Dermatitis Triggers
This term is used to indicate something that can cause an allergic reaction to your baby’s skin. It can appear in many different ways, such as swollen, dry, or yellowish skin. Here are some common irritants that can trigger allergy:
- Urine
- Saliva
- Lotions
- Dyes
- Latex
- Cosmetics
- Perfumes
- Metals
- Detergent or soap
Give Baby a Gentle Massage
While moisturizing your little ones’ skin, take it as an opportunity to thoroughly massage your baby’s body with mineral oils or gentle massage creams. Massage is not only effectively relaxing but also increases blood circulation at the surface level and benefits overall skin.
Select No-Rinse Cleansers
If you are not giving your baby a bath due to certain skin or weather conditions. You can still keep their skin clean on the off days with micellar water. However, regardless of what brand you select, ensure that the products are organic and EWG verified.
Choose the Right Baby Products
One of the most important things to consider while taking care of your baby’s skin is to check the label. Some products specifically designed for babies can still be harmful. Make sure the products you are going to use are natural and safe for the baby. Natural remedies can also help assure proper moisturization without causing skin irritation.
Use a Humidifier
No matter which part of the world you live in, almost every area experiences extreme weather, whether it is cold or hot. It can severely impact the newborn skin. If your residing area is fairly dry, it can have an impact on the skin. If all methods fail to ensure good skin, getting a humidifier seems pretty reasonable. It maintains not only adequate moisture in the air but also ensures good-quality air.
Baby’s delicate skin – Baby’s Doctor Tips to Keep the Baby Clean
To help take care of your baby, the baby’s pediatrician suggest following the following tips:
Keep your baby clean: In order to take good care of your baby’s skin, give your baby a gentle bath, not more than three times a week. Begin with a sponge baths before going for a traditional bath. Once the umbilical cord is removed and the area has healed, you can come to normal bathing. Moreover, use lukewarm water or baby soap.
Change Dirty Diapers: Even if the diapers are just wet, baby’s doctor suggest to change the diaper frequently to avoid the rash. Anyhow, if the diaper rash appears, gently clean the area with clean water and apply zinc oxide cream.
Trim nails: The baby’s nails are sharp and harmful to their own skin. Use a fine nail trimmer and cut the nails to avoid scratches on the face and hands.
Wash baby blankets and sheets: Strive to change the blanket daily with fragrance-free detergent.
Protect your baby from the sun: Always keep an umbrella, canopy, and hood to keep the toddler protected from direct sunlight.
Final Thoughts
Skin is the largest organ of the human system, which ensures external beauty. Hence, it is important to take care of it from the beginning. However, the baby’s sensitive skin require extra care to avoid diaper rashes and more. Even in the babies younger age, it’s important to take care of it, as you will recognize there will have very often red skin.
When it comes to a baby’s skin, cleanliness and motorization become inevitable. For newborn skin care, you may need baby wipes, and tender baby wears to avoid baby rashes even in skin folds. For parents prefer and baby’s pediatrician, they use often recommend antifungal cream or bath gels. Most babies are prone to several skin problems, so make sure to follow proper guidelines and tips for healthy skin care.
Also interesting to read:
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- 10 Fun and Easy Daycare Activities for Infants
- From Pregnancy to Birth and Beyond: Everything You Need to Know About Caring for Your Children
- 10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Daycare
- The Benefits of a Daycare Infant Room
- Infants vs. Toddlers: The Great Debate
- The Infant Daily Report: What You Need to Know
- The Many Benefits of Daycare: Why It’s Worth Every Penny
