8 KEY TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BABY'S SKIN HEALTHY

Introduction

A baby’s skin is very soft, delicate, and sensitive compared to an adult’s skin. Hence, we cannot use products intended for adults for infant skin care. In addition, the composition of these skincare products might prove to be too harsh for a baby’s tender skin. 

Newborn skin care isn’t an easy job and calls for special attention and care. Environmental changes like humidity and temperature also significantly impact the baby’s skin. Hence, their skin is more susceptible to irritation, rashes, infections, and allergies.

Moreover, these little marvels cannot explicitly express if anything bothers them. Thereby, as parents, it is your topmost responsibility to follow safe practices to keep your babies’ skin healthy and blooming.  Having said so, you might get overwhelmed and overboard in protecting your baby’s skin. But remember this rule: too much is bad, and less is better!

8 Infant Skin Care Tips

Let us look at some of these eight essential tips on newborn skin care that will come in handy whenever we feel anxious about dealing with our baby’s gentle skin.

1. Massage with suitable oils

Oil massage, if done correctly, is highly beneficial and soothing for the baby. Massaging with oil helps moisturize their skin optimally and increases ‘happy hormones’, which help them sleep better. You may massage your baby before or after their bath, depending on the oil you are using. But, ensure that the room temperature is optimum, the baby is comfortable and massaged using gentle hand strokes.

Also, use a clinically-tested baby oil infused with safe and mild ingredients suitable for the baby’s skin. Also, do a patch test of the oil to ensure safe and healthy infant skin care. 

2. Bath your baby prudently

As a part of newborn skin care, it isn’t necessary to bathe your newborn every single day. For the initial few weeks, you can choose to sponge them on alternate days with a soft and clean washcloth.  But, as they grow older, bathing is an integral part of infant skincare that helps maintain good hygiene and hydrate their skin effectively.  Use a dermatologically-tested body wash that provides rich and nourishing care to the baby’s gentle skin and hair. Also, use lukewarm water for bathing your little one and pat them dry with a soft towel in a warm ambiance.

Remember, bathing is essential for your baby, but excessive bathing is not recommended. It can rip off their skin of natural oils, leaving it dry, irritable, and flaky. So, do not bathe your baby for more than five to ten minutes, even if the baby enjoys staying in the water. 

3. Moisturize your baby’s skin regularly

This is an unavoidable part of newborn or infant skin care regimes. Ideally, moisturizing should be done after bathing your baby and repeated as required.

After the bath, apply a nourishing moisturizer to your baby’s moist skin to lock in the necessary moisture and fend off dryness. Choose the best moisturizer for newborns, which is free from toxins, irritants, and artificial fragrances. Apply the moisturizer using gentle, circular motions. Also, repeat as often as required to keep your baby’s skin soft and supple.

4. Powder your baby appropriately

This process isn’t necessary if you let the baby air dry after changing their diapers and cleaning the area or bathing. Nonetheless, if you wish to powder your baby, it shouldn’t be coarse or artificially perfumed. Also, never use the powder in the nappy area. You may use a baby powder with a safe and mild formulation that helps in soothing and refreshing their skin. 

5. Use appropriate sun protection

Firstly, as a critical facet of newborn skin care, a baby less than six months old should not be exposed to direct, harsh sunlight. If you can’t avoid sun exposure for your baby, dress them up in soft, cotton clothes that cover most of their body. Also, use a wide-brimmed hat, umbrella, or stroller shade for added protection.

If your baby is over six months old, use sunscreen formulated for the baby’s skin as a part of the infant skin care routine. Choose a fragrance-free and hypoallergenic sunscreen with an SPF of more than 30 to moisturize and protect your baby’s delicate skin from harmful sun rays. Apply sunscreen to your baby at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. Repeat every two hours if needed.

6. Do not ignore the diaper rash

Diaper rash is a common phenomenon that typically occurs if the baby has been using a solid diaper for too long, if the diaper is too tight or if a particular brand irritates their skin.

So, the first step entails cleaning the nappy area and changing the diaper as soon as the baby soils it. Also, check the fitting and change the brand if you doubt the prevailing brand doesn’t suit your baby. If you notice an irritable diaper rash, you may try using a nappy baby cream to relieve the baby of itchiness and discomfort. If the problem persists, visit your paediatrician at the earliest.

7. Use soft and comfortable clothing

Another piece of essential advice on infant skin care is dressing your baby in soft and breathable clothes. Do not use fancy clothes with inappropriate fabric that might irritate their skin or cause skin allergies.

8. Use mild detergent for washing baby clothes

Use a mild, non-perfumed detergent that softens baby clothes and frees them of germs. Also, wash their clothes separately to avoid any chances of infection.

Conclusion

Newborn or infant skin care isn’t child’s play. But, if you use the right products, you can ensure healthy and nourished skin for your baby. Wellness Forever offers a wide range of infant skin care products formulated with the finest ingredients. Whether you are looking for the best moisturizer for newborns or any other newborn skin care product, visit our website or the nearby store to ensure the best health and wellbeing of your baby