Do you think about how to keep your baby’s skin moisturised?
There is nothing quite as delicate as the skin of your toddler. As a parent, you naturally want to ensure that baby skin care is given the utmost priority. Believe it or not, your baby’s skin is far more important than you give it credit for. It serves as a barrier between them and the outside world, protecting them from all sorts of things like dust and allergens.
That is why moisturising your baby’s skin becomes ever important. This is especially a time when you need to be aware of the products you use on your baby’s skin, and how you use them.
“Newborn baby skin care is a delicate matter. In the early months, as your baby’s immune system develops, you’ll want to use the mildest cleansers and the smallest bit of lotion. But when dry skin, eczema, and diaper rash appear, it’s time to treat those problems.” – Jeanie Lerce Davis, Amrita Shroff, MD.
Why a Baby’s Skin is Prone to Moisture Loss?
That precious outermost layer of a baby’s skin is 30% thinner than that in an adult. That, in effect, is what makes babies’ skins more prone to moisture loss. The thing is, it takes between 2 and 4 years for a baby’s skin to fully develop. Moreover, up to the first 5 years, the average hydration levels are lower than they are in an adult.
Why Moisturising a Baby’s Skin is Important?
There is a protective layer on a newborn’s skin, known as the vernix caseosa, which helps keep their delicate skin moisturised. Baby wipes are a convenient and gentle option for keeping your little one’s skin clean and fresh. However, this magical layer begins to disappear shortly after their birth, leaving their skin prone to dryness and irritation.
Regular moisturising is one of the key moisturising tips to keeping your little one’s skin soft, smooth and healthy. What’s more, it can help prevent common skin conditions in babies, like diaper rash and eczema. So, don’t be afraid to incorporate ‘moisturising’ into that daily baby routine you have set in place. However, keeping a baby’s skin well-moisturised is a process that entails much more than merely choosing the right moisturiser.
Let’s look at all we can do to keep baby’s skin moist and healthy!
5 Gentle Moisturising Tips for Your Baby’s Skin
When looking to moisturise your baby’s skin, the first word that comes to mind is obviously this: ‘Moisturiser’. However, do we know how to apply it safely and effectively? Here are some vital newborn skin care guidelines, pertaining to the use of baby skin moisturisers.
- Choosing the right baby skin moisturiser .
- Applying to damp skin.
- Pay attention to key body areas.
- Avoid the face.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
This entails choosing products that are hypoallergenic and free of harsh chemicals.
For the best possible results, apply moisturiser to your child’s skin after they have had a bath. This will help lock in that moisture!
There are certain places, like the folds in your baby’s skin, that are especially prone to dryness and irritation. Give these extra attention, when applying that moisturiser. Paying attention to key body areas is one of the key moisturising tips for babies.
This is one of the most important skin care tips. If you have to apply it to their face, use a moisturiser that is specially designed for face use. Note: You want to avoid the regular use of moisturiser on your baby’s face, as it might lead to the clogging of pores.
The last thing you want is to transfer harmful germs and bacteria to your baby’s skin. Wash your hands thoroughly before applying moisturiser to their skin.
8 Tips for Newborn Skin Care
If you’re looking for newborn skin care guidelines, you’ve come to the right place. Here you will find all the things you need to do, to ensure baby’s skin is forever supple.
- Bathe them less frequently
- Wash baby’s clothes before they wear them
- Use unscented products
- Pat your baby’s skin dry gently, after their bath
- Massage them often
- Using a humidifier during dry days
- Limit their time in the sun
- Prevent heat rash
Unlike adults or even older children, babies do not need to be bathed all that frequently. In fact, bathing them a mere 3 times a week is enough to keep them clean. Any more than that and you will be stripping their skin of natural oils, and aggravating rash and worse, eczema.
Did you know that those new clothes the baby is wearing, might have harmful chemicals in them that are added to make them look new? Make sure you wash them before the baby dons them!
Artificial scents, while they smell nice, might only irritate your baby’s skin and aggravate any pre-existing skin conditions they might have. Unscented baby solution is the best moisturising cream for baby dry skin.
Rubbing your baby’s skin with a towel after their bath might just chap and chafe their skin. Instead, you want to gently dab their skin with a towel. Bonus tip: Even when applying moisturiser, ensure you apply it gently and in a circular motion.
You’re not the only one who loves a good massage! One of the best newborn skin care tips, this one. Massaging a baby goes a long way in keeping their skin soft and hydrated. Moreover, it’s a really great way to strengthen their muscles, help them relax and strengthen the bond between you and them.
Using a good-quality humidifier on dry days can work wonders where it comes to effective baby skin care. Note: You want to make sure that the room is just humid enough, as too much humidity will only serve to make the baby uncomfortable.
You want to keep your baby out of the sun as far as you possibly can. If you really do need to take them out for an inordinate amount of time, ensure they aren’t constantly exposed to sunlight in the time they are outdoors. Note: The same goes for the time they spend in swimming pools, as too much chlorine will only serve to dry their skin.
Heat rash occurs when your baby’s skin gets overheated. One of the top things to bear in mind when keeping newborn skin care in consideration, is keeping their skin cool by giving them a cool bath or using a washcloth to help alleviate rashes. Choose the right water temperature for your baby’s bath to ensure their comfort and safety
Conclusion
Baby skin is a lot thinner in the initial few months of the child’s life. The skin is also less resistant to bacteria, irritants, and allergens that could seep into the skin and cause irritation. In this article we have spoken about why a baby’s skin is prone to moisture loss, the importance of moisturising baby’s skin, moisturising tips for baby skin and tips to moisturise newborn children. Do you have any new tips for us?
We at EuroKids cannot emphasise enough how important it is to keep your baby’s skin well-moisturised at all times. Baby skin is fragile, and that is why parents must do all they can to protect it from dryness.
For informative and accurate articles on all things related to your new born-toddler’s development, growth, health and nutrition, follow EuroKids Blogs and do check out our nationally recognized preschools – EuroKids for the first step in your kid’s educational journey!
