Baby sensitive skin care
Whether
your baby is 6 days old, 6 weeks old or 6 months old, there is always one
constant: they have soft skin. This means that many of the bath and skin care
products you use on your own body can cause rashes and irritation. But there's
a lot you can do to protect your little one from common skin problems. Here's
what to do to keep their skin soft, smooth and safe.
Don't bathe them every day. Two or three times a week is fine
until they start to crawl. Washing them more often can dry out their skin.
Instead, use a damp washcloth to regularly wipe under the diaper, around the
mouth, and anywhere there are skin folds. When you bathe them, use a fragrance-
and dye-free baby cleanser.
Change their diaper often. Babies should change diapers every
2-4 hours or as soon as they poop. You don't need fancy wipes: tap water and
cotton balls or a soft cloth will do for a basic wet coat. However, for poop,
you may need deep-cleaning wipes. Choose ones that are hypoallergenic and do
not contain lanolin or alcohol. It's also a good idea to let their little
bottom air dry from time to time so their skin can rest from moisture. Lay them
in a crib with waterproof sheets or on a large towel on the floor until they
have a diaper.
Treatment of diaper rash. It's best to prevent this in the
first place. Keep their bottom as clean and dry as possible. You can also soak
her diaper in warm water from time to time between diaper changes. Put her
diaper on loosely so she doesn't chafe, and change her diaper about every 2
hours or after every bowel movement. If you are using cloth diapers, run an
extra rinse after washing them to get rid of the detergent. You should also
avoid fabric softeners and dryer wipes.
If
they develop diaper rash, use a cream or ointment containing zinc oxide. This
acts as a barrier between feces and urine and their skin. Apply it in a thick
layer, like icing on a cake, after each replacement. It can also be helpful to
give them diaper-free time each day. If diaper rash doesn't go away within 2 to
3 days, or if it seems to be getting worse, call your doctor.
Look for shade. If your baby is under 6 months
old, keep them out of direct sunlight if possible. You can protect them from
sun exposure by wearing sun protection clothing such as a light long-sleeved
shirt, pants, and a hat. If they are over 6 months old, apply a small amount of
broad-spectrum, waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Look for a
sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which is less likely to
irritate the skin. and eyes than those containing ingredients such as
avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone.
Go easy on moisturizers. It is normal for newborns to have
patches of dry skin. They usually recover on their own. If it is so dry that it
cracks, you can apply Vaseline to it. As you grow older, you can use lotions
without fragrances and dyes. But read the label carefully:
"Unscented" is not the same as "Unscented".
Keep an eye out for skin
conditions. When
your baby is about a month old, you may notice flaking and redness of the
scalp. This is called a cradle. This is a common rash that will gradually go
away on its own. You can help get rid of it by washing your baby's hair several
times a week with a mild baby shampoo. If your doctor tells you it's okay, you
can also apply an over-the-counter cortisone cream. Some parents use Vaseline.
But baby oil is useless, as it promotes the formation of scales on the scalp.
Another skin problem that you may encounter as your little one gets older is eczema, a condition that causes itchy and inflamed skin. If they become infected, always bathe them in warm water. Gently apply a mild, unscented cleanser to the rest of the skin, but do not rub or rub. Their bathing should last only 5-10 minutes. Once you get them out, gently pat them dry, but leave some water on the skin to keep it moist. Then apply their regular moisturizer, but make sure it's in the form of a cream or ointment, not a lotion. This is one of the best ways to treat eczema because it helps prevent water loss from your baby's skin, which can aggravate symptoms.