Bringing home a newborn is a truly joyous occasion. Of course, it often comes with a good amount of terrfearor as there are so many new tasks you’ll need to embrace in parenthood. One of the most important tasks is caring for the little one’s delicate skin, as it requires gentleness and diligence. To help you get started, let’s navigate the essentials of infant skin care together.
First, infant skin care begins with basic routines such as bath time. It’s important to bathe your baby appropriately, starting with sponge baths a few times a week and transitioning to tub baths. You’ll need to use warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap to prevent stripping away the natural oils from the baby’s skin. Using products designed for adults or even older kids may lead to rashes, dryness and discomfort.
Diapering is another area where skin care is vital. Frequent diaper changes are the key to keeping the skin clean and baby happy. However, even with diligence, babies may still develop diaper rash, a common skin irritation. Making sure the diaper area is clean and dry as well as applying a barrier cream can help prevent redness or a rash from developing or getting worse.
Choosing the right clothing and laundry practices also play a significant role in protecting your baby’s skin. You should opt for comfortable, breathable fabrics — such as cotton or bamboo — that don’t trap heat or irritate the skin. Additionally, your baby’s clothes, blankets and sheets should be washed with hypoallergenic detergents to avoid potential skin reactions. Before your baby wears new clothes for the first time, washing them with a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent can help remove substances that might irritate sensitive skin.
Moisturizing is another essential step in infant skin care, especially to combat dryness. Applying a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free baby moisturizer after baths helps lock in moisture and keep your baby’s skin soft and hydrated. However, you need to balance the amount of moisturizer you use. Otherwise, it could clog the little one’s pores, which could lead to other skin issues like milia or baby acne.
Even though they are rarely in direct sunlight, newborns still need protection from the sun’s harmful rays. For babies under six months, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight exposure and instead use protective clothing, hats and shades. For those older than six months, applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is advisable when outdoors.
To best protect your newborn’s delicate skin, developing a gentle care routine that caters to the baby’s specific, sensitive needs is essential. By following these basic practices and being mindful of skin health, you could be well on your way to keeping your little bundle of joy comfortable, healthy and happy.
For more detailed information on protecting your newborn’s skin, please see the accompanying resource.
Infographic provided by Bamboo Little, a provider of cozy baby blanketsResources
https://www.aad.org/news/care-for-baby-delicate-skin-hair-nails
https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/gentle-care-for-newborn-skin.aspx
