One of a new mom's anxieties is how to care for their baby's skin. Knowing how fragile newborns are, it's alright to be a little bit uncertain about what to do. But it's great that you're here looking for information so you can become confident about caring for your baby.
Here are some tips on how to protect your newborn's delicate skin.
1. Prevent diaper rashes
Newborns are prone to rashes. Although rashes are harmless and typically go on their own, they're unsightly. And most baby rashes occur as skin irritation from diapers that are wet or too tight.
So you must change the diaper as soon as it gets wet and ensure it's not too tight.
Since some baby wipes and diapers can be pretty harsh on your newborn's skin, go for reputable brands that are known to be safe for your baby’s skin.
You can wash the rash with a warm cloth and apply zinc oxide cream topically.
2. Keep your baby in a relaxed, dry environment
Prickly heat can cause skin irritation to a newborn's delicate skin. You may find pinkish bumps on sweaty areas like the neck, diaper area, and armpits.
When that happens, you've probably kept your baby in a hot environment for too long. Thereby, it is wise to take steps to provide your baby a relaxed environment.
3. Keep baby skin moisturized
Although baby skin has natural, optimal moisture, you should apply moisturizer at least once a day when they get out of the tub. If your newborn's skin looks dry and flaky, apply moisturizer twice daily. Using natural skincare products will help prevent eczema and prevent skin from becoming dry and itchy.
4. Don't forget to pre-wash
It is advisable to pre-wash all the baby clothes before your newborn uses them for the first time. Doing so is essential because clothes often contain residue and irritants from the factory and storage area. Furthermore, germs and dust can find their way in when clothes are kept for weeks (or even months) before the baby is born.
Your baby’s skin is sensitive, and that’s the reason they're more likely to experience irritation from what they wear. Pre-washing will eliminate any irritants on your newborn's clothes.
5. Avoid using scented lotions
Fragrances commonly contain phthalates, which are known to be harmful and can cause skin irritation. Knowing how delicate a baby's skin is compared to ours, it's best to avoid using scented products on your newborn.
Make sure to use mild and chemical-free fragrances during the first few weeks, as strong fragrances may irritate your baby’s skin and may even cause skin problems.
6. Don't bother about baby acne
Baby acne is nothing to worry about and generally goes away on its own. So when you find pimples on your newborn's nose and cheeks, avoid reaching for your skincare products.
However, if your baby develops acne after 6 weeks of age, it may be time to see a dermatologist.
7. Use gentle soaps and detergents
For your baby's laundry and bath, use mild soap and detergent. You see, eczema results from a trigger, especially when the family has a history of asthma or allergies. Avoiding these triggers, which may be from harsh soaps and detergents, is advised.
Finally, you don't need to powder up your baby. They can inhale it and get irritated, or worse still, develop lung issues.
Treat your baby's skin delicately, keep them moisturized and away from heat, and you'll have fewer rashes and eczema to worry about.