Babies are bundles of joy, with their curly hair, cute smiles and tiny feet. But with this cuteness comes a lot of responsibility. Newborns are as fragile as they come as their skin and immune system are vulnerable and susceptible to many forms of rashes and irritations.
While it is not unusual for your baby to have rashes, the chemicals in detergents, dyes and fragrances in baby clothes can cause chafing, skin irritation, dryness and more rashes. So whilst you are trying to care for your baby and ensure they smell nice, you should note that overdoing it can be counterproductive.
So, how do you care for the skin of your newborn without overdoing it? Easy, just practice the following, and your baby is sure to have soft silky skin.
Natural baby skincare
Usually, most newborn’s skin is already taking care of itself, as babies are born with a white waxy coat all over their bodies. This is called the Vernix caseosa, also known as the vernix, it coats your baby from inside the womb and is made up of cells. There is no need to rub off, peel off or use lotion to remove the coating as it removes naturally in the first week. I the baby is born past the due date, the chances are that the layer has peeled off in the womb.
Too clean can be a problem
If you are a first-time parent, you are probably worried about keeping your baby happy, fed and clean. While keeping your baby happy and fed is the way to go, bathing too frequently is not advised. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that bathing your baby three times a week is ideal, but bathing too frequently could lead to the removal of natural oils from your baby’s skin which could aggravate eczema.
Rashes are normal
Your first instinct as a parent is to attend to any rash or patch on your baby’s skin. But there are some spots on your baby’s skin that are not unusual and do not need any treatment. These include but are not limited to the following.
Slate grey nevi: These are also called Mongolian spots, they are flat birthmarks that often show up on your baby’s buttocks, and they can be blue-black, deep brown or slate grey.
Heat rash: A red rash on your baby’s skin that appears when there’s too much heat.
Nappy rash: A rash that appears on the buttocks due to contact with stool or urine.
Contact dermatitis: This rash appears when lotion, detergent, soap or any other material comes in contact with your baby’s skin.
Erythema toxicum: appears on the second day of life and is a splotchy rash with yellow or red bumps.
Keep the products simple
When it comes to choosing products you intend to use on your baby’s skin; less is more. You don’t need to use many creams and lotions on your baby’s skin as many of the patches will clear in time. Choosing a product for your baby should be on the advice or recommendation of your doctor, although you should generally avoid products that contain perfumes or dyes.
Below are some products you should have on hand to care for your baby’s skin. They are:
- Nappy cream
- Fragrance and dye-free baby wipes
- Vaseline
- Baby soap and shampoo with gentle cleansers
You’re not alone
Whether you are a first-time parent or not, one thing you should keep at the back of your mind is that you are not alone, and you can always ask for help. If you see symptoms on your baby’s skin, don’t be reluctant to schedule an appointment with a skin treatment specialist, like Swann Beauty, or consult your baby’s doctor. Either way, you should have a professional look into the issue, give an accurate diagnosis and prescribe solutions to the problem.
In conclusion
Babies are beautiful; they are nature’s gift to us and deserve all the care in the world. But make sure you are not carried away, don’t overdo it in the bid to care for your baby. The simple things usually give the best results, take time to understand your baby’s skin, and with time, you will see yourself taking the proper steps naturally.
