Gentle and Safe – Expert Tips for Moisturizing Your Baby’s Skin
Essential Baby Skin Care
There is nothing quite as delicate as the skin of your toddler. As a parent, you naturally want to ensure that baby skin care is given the utmost priority. Believe it or not, your baby’s skin is far more important than you give it credit for. It serves as a barrier between them and the outside world, protecting them from all sorts of things like dust and allergens.
That is why moisturizing your baby’s skin becomes ever important. This is especially a time when you need to be aware of the products you use on your baby’s skin, and how you use them.
Why a baby’s skin is prone to moisture loss
That precious outermost layer of a baby’s skin is 30% thinner than that in an adult. That, in effect, is what makes babies’ skins more prone to moisture loss. The thing is, it takes between 2 and 4 years for a baby’s skin to fully develop. Moreover, up to the first 5 years, the average hydration levels are lower than they are in an adult.
Why moisturizing a baby’s skin is important
There is a protective layer on a newborn’s skin, known as the vernix caseosa, which helps keep their delicate skin moisturized. Baby wipes are a convenient and gentle option for keeping your little one’s skin clean and fresh. However, this magical layer begins to disappear shortly after their birth, leaving their skin prone to dryness and irritation.
Regular moisturizing is the key to keeping your little one’s skin soft, smooth and healthy. What’s more, it can help prevent common skin conditions in babies, like diaper rash and eczema. So, don’t be afraid to incorporate ‘moisturizing’ into that daily baby routine you have set in place. However, keeping a baby’s skin well-moisturized is a process that entails much more than merely choosing the right moisturizer.
Let’s take a look at all we can do to keep baby’s skin moist and healthy!
Tips for applying moisturizer to your baby’s skin
When looking to moisturize your baby’s skin, the first word that comes to mind is obviously this: ‘Moisturizer’. However, do we know how to apply it safely and effectively? Here are some vital newborn skin care guidelines, pertaining to the use of moisturizers.
- Choosing the right moisturizer. This entails choosing products that are hypoallergenic and free of harsh chemicals.
- Applying to damp skin. For the best possible results, apply moisturizer to your child’s skin after they have had a bath. This will help lock in that moisture!
- Pay attention to key body areas. There are certain places, like the folds in your baby’s skin, that are especially prone to dryness and irritation. Give these extra attention, when applying that moisturizer.
- Avoid the face. This is one of the most important skin care tips. If you have to apply it to their face, use a moisturizer that is specially designed for face use. Note: You want to avoid the regular use of moisturizer on your baby’s face, as it might lead to the clogging of pores.
- Wash your hands with soap and water. The last thing you want is to transfer harmful germs and bacteria to your baby’s skin. Wash your hands thoroughly before applying moisturizer to their skin.
Tips for Newborn Skin Care
If you’re looking for new born skin care guidelines, you’ve come to the right place. Here you will find all the things you need to do, to ensure baby’s skin is forever supple.
Bathe them less frequently
Unlike adults or even older children, babies do not need to be bathed all that frequently. In fact, bathing them a mere 3 times a week is enough to keep them clean. Any more than that and you will be stripping their skin of natural oils, and aggravating rash and worse, eczema.
Wash baby’s clothes before they wear them
Did you know that those new clothes the baby is wearing, might have harmful chemicals in them that are added to make them look new? Make sure you wash them before the baby dons them!
Use unscented products
Artificial scents, while they smell nice, might only irritate your baby’s skin and aggravate any pre-existing skin conditions they might have.
Pat your baby’s skin dry gently, after their bath
Rubbing your baby’s skin with a towel after their bath might just chap and chafe their skin. Instead, you want to gently dab their skin with a towel. Bonus tip: Even when applying moisturizer, ensure you apply it gently and in a circular motion.
Massage them often
You’re not the only one who loves a good massage! One of the best newborn skin care tips, this one. Massaging a baby goes a long way in keeping their skin soft and hydrated. Moreover, it’s a really great way to strengthen their muscles, help them relax and strengthen the bond between you and them.
Using a humidifier during dry days
Using a good-quality humidifier on dry days can work wonders where it comes to effective baby skin care. Note: You want to make sure that the room is just humid enough, as too much humidity will only serve to make the baby uncomfortable.
Limit their time in the sun
You want to keep your baby out of the sun as far as you possibly can. If you really do need to take them out for an inordinate amount of time, ensure they aren’t constantly exposed to sunlight in the time they are outdoors. Note: The same goes for the time they spend in swimming pools, as too much chlorine will only serve to dry their skin.
Prevent Heat Rash
Heat rash occurs when your baby’s skin gets overheated. One of the top things to bear in mind when keeping newborn skin care in consideration, is keeping their skin cool by giving them a cool bath or using a washcloth to help alleviate rashes. Choose the right water temperature for your baby’s bath to ensure their comfort and safety
We at EuroKids cannot emphasize enough how important it is to keep your baby’s skin well-moisturized at all times. Baby skin is fragile, and that is why parents must do all they can to protect it from dryness.