There’s nothing smoother than a baby’s skin, and cuddling your bundle of joy is one of the great delights of being a parent. But, perfect though their skin may be, it’s also more fragile than adult skin and more susceptible to irritation and soreness.
Here are five ways to keep their skin smooth and protected, and prevent irritation.
Limit UV exposure
Babies shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight, even in winter. Instead, you should keep them in the shade whenever possible; dress them in clothes that cover arms and legs, and a hat that covers neck and ears; and keep them hydrated. Sunscreen shouldn’t be applied to those under six months old, but older babies should be protected using cream with a minimum of SPF 15 or more.
Moisturize
If your baby is suffering from dry skin, then petroleum jelly or a moisturizing lotion could help, so long as it’s free from perfumes or dyes (which can actually make things worse). But be aware that it’s normal to see patches of dry skin in the first weeks, and these usually disappear on their own.
Treat rashes, pimples and eczema
Diaper rash is very common, and occurs as red skin around the bottom (keep a close eye on folds in the skin, as it’ll often hide in here). It might be due to your baby wearing wet diapers for too long, the brand of diapers you use, or that the diapers have been wrapped too tightly. Changing the diapers more often and exposing the area to the open air for longer should help, as will applying zinc oxide to the affected patch.
Pimples on the nose and cheeks, meanwhile, will normally disappear by themselves over time, but eczema is a different story. This red, itchy rash can become dry and scaly over time and is common on the face, chest, arms, elbows and behind the knees. Try to work out if there are any detergents or irritants your baby’s exposed to that might be causing it. Otherwise, keep moisturizing and use gentle soaps, and see your doctor if it gets worse.
Avoid wool
If your baby has sensitive skin, then wool can irritate it. So, no matter how adorable they look in grandma’s hand-knitted jumper, it’s best to avoid it or put a layer on underneath, at least. Organic or natural fibers such as cotton are ideal, whether you’re dressing them up for going out or preparing them for bed in cute baby pajamas.
Bathe with care
Bathe your baby regularly, but not every day – around two or three times a week, for approximately five minutes each time, will be fine. Use lukewarm water but not hot as this can dry out the skin. Wash with baby soap free from dye or fragrance, and pat your infant dry after washing, applying baby lotion or moisturizer straight away.
Most tips for looking after your baby’s skin are just common sense and you’ll find they soon come naturally. If anything’s concerning you, go and see the doctor. More often than not, they’ll just reassure you that everything’s okay.
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