One of the most important things to do once you have brought your new baby (or babies in some cases!) home is to make sure that their skin is taken care of and in good condition. Now, that might not sound like too much, but because a baby's skin – particularly a newborn's – is so delicate, there are a good deal of things which must be considered and taken into account at all times to ensure that your little one's skin stays healthy. It is really quite simple, but the simplicity does not make it any less important at all as any parent can tell you.
There are many ways that you can take care of your baby's skin, but it is recommended that in the first few weeks of life that you do not do too much. If your baby has been premature and seems to have a white substance peeling off their skin, it's nothing to worry about. The substance is most likely the remnants of the vernix which covers babies in the womb, but it will come off in its own time, generally within the first week and full-term or overdue babies are usually born without it as it has already been absorbed. You might be tempted to peel it off yourself, but this is inadvisable as the vernix is actually good for your baby's skin due to the natural oils and moisturisers within it and the protection it provides against infections.
Once the vernix has peeled off, you will need to take more care with your baby's skin and keep it moisturised so it doesn't dry out. Baby skin is significantly thinner than adult skin so more care is needed when dealing with it. Still, many Doctors will quote the phrase 'less is more' when taking care of a baby's skin, but just be careful with what you do do. It has been found that bathing a baby too often or exposure to risky chemicals or allergens can actually lead to skin problems in later life.
The best thing to do is use few or even no baby products in the early weeks and if you do, choose products specifically formulated for babies so as not to endanger them. If you have a family history of skin problems, forgoing the products is most likely the best option and simply use a mild soap and water, but care must be taken anyway as the immune system of the baby is still developing. It is recommended that you do not use baby powder or if you do, keep it away from your little one as best you can; the powder can cause breathing issues if your child inhales it.
It is best to simply use plain water to bathe your baby in the first month and dry them thoroughly after a bath, but mild, non-perfumed baby lotions can be used. It is best to avoid perfumed lotions, scented or medicated wipes and you should avoid adding cleansers to your baby's bath water. A premature baby may need special skin care but you can consult a neonatal practitioner for advice on such things. In general though, play it safe and use as few products as you can.
In truth, but for dribble and nappy changes, babies do not get very dirty, so you should only bathe them as much as three times or week or less in the first few weeks. If, however, your baby has areas of dry skin, using a soothing lotion on these areas will help it to heal and you should always take care to make sure that Baby has been dried off properly after a bath.
Another way to ensure your baby's skin is in good condition is to wash all clothes, blankets and bedding with a baby-friendly detergent before you use them – brands like Comfort Pure or Fairy are popular with new parents. This will eliminate any harmful pathogens that may exist on the products, especially on clothes which you can never tell what dangers may be on the fabric. Baby detergents will keep the clothes soft and clean for your baby, and they don't posses any dyes or harmful chemicals that could be detrimental to your baby's health. Wash everything that can be cleaned separately from the rest of the family's laundry and give them an extra rinse if you want to be on the safe side.
You could also look into the different types of blankets for babies out there as there are some which are kinder to Baby’s skin, and you don't want any decoration or tassels on blankets at all as such things are choking hazards. Buying blankets aimed specifically at babies may help you feel better and keep Baby safer, but of course, washing it before use will not go amiss either.
You should also make sure to check your baby's nappy frequently and change them if necessary. Use non-scented wipes – ones for sensitive skin are best to prevent a reaction – and clean your baby's bottom thoroughly. You should also apply nappy cream to prevent nappy rash and let it soak in for a bit, and brands like Sudocrem are brilliant for this as well as preventing other ailments from harming your baby. In general, using products that have been specifically formulated for babies is the best way to go as the manufacturers will have left out the chemicals and scents that, while they do not harm an adult, can be bad for Baby's skin due to it's delicacy.
Many parents enjoy taking their new arrival for a stroll, and this is great as it allows both you and Baby to get some fresh air. However, some parents believe that the way to go is to cover the little one in sunscreen and this is not so. Sunscreen can be harmful to your baby's skin and so you shouldn't use it on those under six months old. Just keep babies under six months covered up and shielded with a shade to protect against UV rays. Still, once your baby is six months or older, choose a sunscreen with the highest SPF you can find, with SPF 15 providing the minimum. Professionals advise that you look for the words 'broad spectrum' as this means that the cream will protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and ones with Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide offer great protection and they are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
You should also ensure that your baby is dressed appropriately for the weather at all times. Dress them warmly in the winter months and during warmer periods, perhaps choose clothes that cover the skin but do not leave your baby at risk of overheating. A baby's skin is incredibly sensitive and it is very easy for them to be too cold or too hot, so take careful precautions before venturing out. In sunny weather, you should make sure that Baby's head and face are shielded, preferably with a wide-brimmed sun hat or a shade, and when it is cold, always be sure to have plenty of warm clothes and blankets at hand.
For any parent, taking care of their baby is extremely important, but it has to be said that the delicacy of a baby's skin can make it difficult to know what you should and shouldn't do. Just keep it simple as that really is the best way to go and try not to use any lotions or the like for the first few months at least.
There are many ways that you can take care of your baby's skin, but it is recommended that in the first few weeks of life that you do not do too much. If your baby has been premature and seems to have a white substance peeling off their skin, it's nothing to worry about. The substance is most likely the remnants of the vernix which covers babies in the womb, but it will come off in its own time, generally within the first week and full-term or overdue babies are usually born without it as it has already been absorbed. You might be tempted to peel it off yourself, but this is inadvisable as the vernix is actually good for your baby's skin due to the natural oils and moisturisers within it and the protection it provides against infections.
Once the vernix has peeled off, you will need to take more care with your baby's skin and keep it moisturised so it doesn't dry out. Baby skin is significantly thinner than adult skin so more care is needed when dealing with it. Still, many Doctors will quote the phrase 'less is more' when taking care of a baby's skin, but just be careful with what you do do. It has been found that bathing a baby too often or exposure to risky chemicals or allergens can actually lead to skin problems in later life.
The best thing to do is use few or even no baby products in the early weeks and if you do, choose products specifically formulated for babies so as not to endanger them. If you have a family history of skin problems, forgoing the products is most likely the best option and simply use a mild soap and water, but care must be taken anyway as the immune system of the baby is still developing. It is recommended that you do not use baby powder or if you do, keep it away from your little one as best you can; the powder can cause breathing issues if your child inhales it.
It is best to simply use plain water to bathe your baby in the first month and dry them thoroughly after a bath, but mild, non-perfumed baby lotions can be used. It is best to avoid perfumed lotions, scented or medicated wipes and you should avoid adding cleansers to your baby's bath water. A premature baby may need special skin care but you can consult a neonatal practitioner for advice on such things. In general though, play it safe and use as few products as you can.
In truth, but for dribble and nappy changes, babies do not get very dirty, so you should only bathe them as much as three times or week or less in the first few weeks. If, however, your baby has areas of dry skin, using a soothing lotion on these areas will help it to heal and you should always take care to make sure that Baby has been dried off properly after a bath.
Another way to ensure your baby's skin is in good condition is to wash all clothes, blankets and bedding with a baby-friendly detergent before you use them – brands like Comfort Pure or Fairy are popular with new parents. This will eliminate any harmful pathogens that may exist on the products, especially on clothes which you can never tell what dangers may be on the fabric. Baby detergents will keep the clothes soft and clean for your baby, and they don't posses any dyes or harmful chemicals that could be detrimental to your baby's health. Wash everything that can be cleaned separately from the rest of the family's laundry and give them an extra rinse if you want to be on the safe side.
You could also look into the different types of blankets for babies out there as there are some which are kinder to Baby’s skin, and you don't want any decoration or tassels on blankets at all as such things are choking hazards. Buying blankets aimed specifically at babies may help you feel better and keep Baby safer, but of course, washing it before use will not go amiss either.
You should also make sure to check your baby's nappy frequently and change them if necessary. Use non-scented wipes – ones for sensitive skin are best to prevent a reaction – and clean your baby's bottom thoroughly. You should also apply nappy cream to prevent nappy rash and let it soak in for a bit, and brands like Sudocrem are brilliant for this as well as preventing other ailments from harming your baby. In general, using products that have been specifically formulated for babies is the best way to go as the manufacturers will have left out the chemicals and scents that, while they do not harm an adult, can be bad for Baby's skin due to it's delicacy.
Many parents enjoy taking their new arrival for a stroll, and this is great as it allows both you and Baby to get some fresh air. However, some parents believe that the way to go is to cover the little one in sunscreen and this is not so. Sunscreen can be harmful to your baby's skin and so you shouldn't use it on those under six months old. Just keep babies under six months covered up and shielded with a shade to protect against UV rays. Still, once your baby is six months or older, choose a sunscreen with the highest SPF you can find, with SPF 15 providing the minimum. Professionals advise that you look for the words 'broad spectrum' as this means that the cream will protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and ones with Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide offer great protection and they are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
You should also ensure that your baby is dressed appropriately for the weather at all times. Dress them warmly in the winter months and during warmer periods, perhaps choose clothes that cover the skin but do not leave your baby at risk of overheating. A baby's skin is incredibly sensitive and it is very easy for them to be too cold or too hot, so take careful precautions before venturing out. In sunny weather, you should make sure that Baby's head and face are shielded, preferably with a wide-brimmed sun hat or a shade, and when it is cold, always be sure to have plenty of warm clothes and blankets at hand.
For any parent, taking care of their baby is extremely important, but it has to be said that the delicacy of a baby's skin can make it difficult to know what you should and shouldn't do. Just keep it simple as that really is the best way to go and try not to use any lotions or the like for the first few months at least.