As you welcome your new bundle of joy to your life and home, it is essential that you know all the basics of caring for them. A primary aspect of caring for babies relates to skincare.
A baby’s skin is highly sensitive and can get prone to rashes, irritations, and more. Their defense against environmental elements is minimal, so parents must build a sound skincare routine that can keep their baby’s skin moisturized, nourished, and protected.
This guide highlights everything new parents must know about their baby’s skincare.
Importance of Caring for Your Baby’s Skin
The skin is the largest organ that covers our body. As infants, our skin is most vulnerable to damage, which can lead to irritation, rashes, and problems for the little one. This is specifically true for their diaper area, so parents must understand all the factors that can protect their baby’s skin.
Any product you expose your child’s skin to will be absorbed by it. Hence, as parents, you should be mindful of what exactly to use.
How to Ensure Your Baby’s Healthy Skin
Luckily, baby skincare is not as complex as it sounds. All you need to do to stay ahead of any skin-related issue is to use the right products and stay informed. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your baby’s skin is healthy and nourished:
1. Take Care of the Baby’s Skin During Bath Time
Bath time is a great way to bond with your baby, but you must note not to overwash your baby or give frequent baths. Two to three times a week is good enough. Additionally, be sure to wash with lukewarm water. It must not be too warm since it can irritate your baby’s skin and cause discomfort. Hot water can also dry out their skin.
Additionally, use a soft and gentle washcloth to carefully clean their skin folds and hard-to-reach areas like in between toes, behind ears, etc., during bath time.
2. Know Which Ingredients to Avoid
There are tons of skincare products you will be using on your baby, including cleansers, moisturizers, wipes, and oil. Therefore, be mindful of what ingredients to watch out for that can cause harm to your baby’s skin or cause irritations, rashes, or dryness.
Other than that, stick to natural baby skincare products that have clean ingredients. For example, Pigeon baby powder is natural, botanical, and 100% safe since it is made from natural cornstarch.
3. Don’t Use Sunscreen Too Often or Too Early
Sun protection is essential for newborn babies; you should not bring them under direct sunlight for the first few months of their life. Exposure to UV rays can be severely damaging to the baby’s skin. The best way to protect your baby from the sun is by using shade and protective clothing.
In some cases, sunscreen is also a good idea. However, don’t apply sunscreen until they are six months or older.
4. Diaper Cream Is a Must
If there’s one must-have skincare product for babies, it is surely diaper cream. This is the best armor against baby rashes. The diaper area is most vulnerable to irritations and rashes, so keeping it moisturized is imperative.
You should dab on some of the diaper creams when changing your baby’s diaper. However, avoid applying it on the skin folds and creases since that can increase the risk of chafing. If you notice rashes, be sure to apply a generous amount of diaper cream. Apply an extra amount at night to keep their skin moisturized throughout.
You will minimize the chance of rashes when you use gentle baby wipes, such as Pigeon baby wipes, and the right size of diapers. This way, you won’t have to rely solely on diaper cream to shield against skin irritation. The extremely gentle wipes contain lanolin oil that prevents skin damage and makes cleanup much easier. Not to mention, they provide moisture and nourishment due to the gentle ingredients used to make them.
5. Moisturize Your Baby’s Skin Frequently
An essential aspect of your baby’s skincare is moisturizing. This keeps your baby’s skin soft, hydrated, and nourished. Gentle products, such as cleansers, will prevent your baby’s skin from drying. Furthermore, you should regularly moisturize your baby’s skin, especially after bathing them.
Experts recommend moisturizing your baby’s body and face daily to protect them from damaging environmental factors. And it goes without saying parents should research the right moisturizers for babies with nourishing and clean ingredients.
Taking care of your newborn requires research and a lot of work. However, following the right practices and using safe products can keep your baby’s skin nourished and protected. Good luck!