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Skin Care for Your Baby
Baby skin care is all about preserving that perfectly developed new skin. Since babies can't really tell you what is actually bothering them, proper preventive baby skin care can prove valuable. Skin irritations may occur from time to time, as they are developing and haven’t had contact with any products outside of their mother’s womb.
Besides diaper and heat rash, babies can develop a condition called 'cradle cap' or as my grandmother used to say, ‘the crud’. Baby skin dries easily and it can even sunburn because melanin production is low. Therefore, it is very important to consider every element of your baby’s surroundings. Due to a surge of hormones at the time of birth, babies can break out in acne. This is usually caused by the imbalance, as baby skin is far less oily than an adult's skin.
Tips for Baby Skin Care
The most common area that has reoccurring skin rashes is, well, the baby’s bottom. Therefore, always change diapers as soon as possible. Urine and feces contain bacteria and must be washed away with warm water or baby wipes. Prolonged contact with fresh skin can cause infection. Normally, just warm water or a baby wipe is all that is needed to keep skin clean in this area. Make sure wipes don't contain alcohol which can dry out a baby's skin. With those chubby little legs, clean in the folds thoroughly. Also, dry the area gently but thoroughly. Diaper rash is very uncomfortable so apply an ointment or cream formulated especially for this common baby skin problem.
Baby skin care products are plentiful, so it won't be hard to find skin care products formulated especially for babies. Always pay attention to ingredients and use as directed. Adult skin care products are not recommended for babies as they are far too harsh. You may have to switch laundry detergents if you find the one you're using is irritating your baby's skin.
For best practices in dealing with sensitive skin whether for yourself or for your child, read our article on
sensitive skin care.
Always protect your baby from ultraviolet exposure. Especially during the first few months, keep infants out of direct sunlight. If you do go outside, be sure to cover the baby's skin with protective clothing, a hat and baby sunglasses. Keep strollers and car seats covered from above in order to provide a nice shade for your baby. Sunscreen products shouldn't be applied until the baby is at least 6 months old.
Moisturizing regularly with lotions and creams formulated for infants helps retain moisture. Excessive bathing isn't necessary and in fact can remove moisture from a baby's skin. Never use excessively hot water for bathing as the skin will become irritated and could burn. Babies prefer warm water and still allows for a comfortable cleansing. If your baby has cradle cap which resembles scaly dirty-looking skin, gently scrub the top of their head with a soft bathing brush. If the skin is not easily exfoliated it may be time to call in the physician to take a look. Wind and cold can also cause dry skin so protect your baby when outside. If the air in your home is dry, consider getting a humidifier to add moisture.
Again, many of these same issues are covered in our tips for proactive skin care for sensitive skin, but are even more applicable to your baby as their skin is so new and so delicate.
Because a baby's skin doesn't yet perspire properly, babies aren't as efficient as adults in controlling their body temperature naturally. Therefore, heat rashes can develop. Be sure to dress your baby in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that's appropriate for the temperature. Also consider layers, especially in the colder months. When transitioning from the cold outside air to the heated indoors, skin can react negatively to the dry air and fluxes in temperature. Be able to remove layers when inside to avoid heat rashes that could pursue. These heat rashes resemble red patches or pinkish-red bumps that appear suddenly.
Developing sound, proper baby skin care routines will become habits as these little ones grow older and want to start taking on certain things themselves. Having products available and teaching them how to appropriately apply them will be a great benefit for many years to come.
Link to this article:
<a href="http://www.expressskincare.com" target="_blank">Skin Care for Your Baby</a>
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