You finally have a bundle of joy – a baby in your lap. But now, a question bothers you. What should be done for the baby’s skincare? The answer lies in the unique needs of your baby’s skin. It requires a specifically formulated cream, as gentle and tender as their delicate skin demands.
The skin of a newborn is tender and soft. Baby skin is untouched and pure, just as nature intended it to be.
A child’s skin is thinner, retains less water, is paler, and is more likely to be damaged by the sun and other environmental irritants and allergens.
Perfume, soap and alcohol, often found in adult products, can all irritate your baby’s skin or even cause an allergic reaction. Skincare products made for babies should have lower levels of fragrance and should not contain soap or alcohol.
But in a market loaded with so many baby care brands, how do you make the right choice? Well, here are some key recommendations to help you find the right baby care products this monsoon.
Look for gentle ingredients
With their extra-sensitive systems, babies need gentle ingredients free from harsh chemicals and irritants. One of the main purposes of baby skincare products is to prevent dryness. You should always read the ingredient label before making any purchase for your baby.
Look for organic ingredients in the product before buying it for your baby. For instance, aloe vera serves as a natural source of moisture, soothing a baby’s dry skin. Aloe vera is a natural coolant which is rich in vitamins and amino acids with healing properties.
Look for creams enriched with ingredients like shea butter, almond oil, coconut oil, mulethi and cocoa butter. Natural oils not only nourish, hydrate, and condition your baby’s hair and scalp but also possess soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that will prevent infections and inflammation by stopping the growth of harmful microbes on the skin.
Pick moisturisers that contain mild and natural ingredients known for their hydrating properties, such as shea butter or milk cream.
Choose organic products
As a new parent, you may feel overwhelmed with decision-making, including what products to choose for the delicate and sensitive nature of a newborn’s skin. The way you care for your baby’s skin is important to their health. It can take two to four years for a child’s skin to undergo the full maturation process. During critical periods of development, like infancy, what goes on in our baby’s skin can go into our baby’s body and have an effect.
Nowadays, organic products are more easily available than earlier, and if you can get your hands on organic baby products, that’s the best you can do for your little one’s health and safety. Organic skincare products for babies contain ingredients that are grown without any kind of chemicals, whether fertilisers or pesticides.
The Art of Bathing
Are you nervous about bathing your newborn baby? If your baby’s umbilical stump has fallen off, then it’s time for a major milestone: the first bath.
Bath time can be slightly tricky in the initial months. However, as you begin understanding your baby’s needs, it can prove to be a fun session with your little one. Bathing a slippery baby may feel daunting at first, but with a little practice, you’ll start to feel more comfortable at bath time.
Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby’s skin. A bathing routine every night before bedtime can be okay as long as parents are adding a moisturisation routine as well.
If you bathe your baby after feeding, consider waiting an hour for your baby’s tummy to settle a bit first because moving may cause vomit.
Make sure that you have a nonslip mat or pad and a bath thermometer (optional) to make your baby feel safe, warm and comfortable. Measure the temperature of the water to avoid overheating or chillness. Always use lukewarm water for baby baths. Warm water can leave a child’s skin dry and dehydrated.
There should be a fixed time for the bath which will help the baby to form a habit of an orderly schedule.
Sun-safe Babies
Sun protection is important at every stage of life, including infancy. Keep newborns and babies under six months old out of direct sunlight, especially during the peak time of sun exposure when UV rays are strongest. Take the baby for an early morning or later afternoon/evening walk instead.
Avoid using sunscreen because infants are at greater risk than adults of sunscreen side effects, such as a rash. Baby’s young skin can’t metabolise and excrete chemicals often found in sunscreens. Look for natural shade, such as under a tree. Or create your shade under a beach umbrella, a pop-up tent, or a stroller canopy.
Always protect your baby with a wide-brimmed hat to shield the face, ears, head and back of the neck. Use stroller shades and umbrellas. A baby who wears a hat during the first few months will get used to having it on. Make sure your baby wears a broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat that provides shade to their face, neck and ears.
It’s also best to dress your baby regularly in lightweight clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Rely on protective clothing rather than use sunscreen to avoid sun exposure. Dress your baby in cool, comfortable clothing such as long lightweight cotton pants and long-sleeve shirts that cover the body. You should not apply insect repellent at all on infants under two months of age.
Banner image by GURPREET SINGH: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hands-of-a-woman-man-and-a-baby-10518378/
MORE ARTICLES
