Skin care in general is very important in this highly polluted environment we live in today. But one cannot treat an adult and a baby in the same way. Babies skin is more sensitive than any other adult person. It cannot withstand excessive or in adequate heat or cold environments.

A Babies skin does not let out excessive water and toxins in the form of sweat in order to maintain inner body temperature. Because of less sweating, the inner temperature is not properly taken care of. To top it, Babies skin is very thin when compared to an adult’s skin and formation or attack of bacteria is more probable when there are rashes on it.

Proper skin care has to be ensured to protect Baby from harmful allergens. For a new born baby, several changes occur in the first few months. Some changes might appear like a rash, which eventually disappear with time. however, there are some skin problems that you cannot ignore. Few Skin conditions that’s common in a baby are Heat rash, Infant Acne, Cradle Cap, Chafing and Eczema.

Heat rash generally erupts due to intense heat or humidity and undeveloped sweat glands. They appear in the form of small pink pimples. In hot environment or weather, do not dress baby with heavy clothes, try to keep clothes light and loose.

Infant acne also is a very common problem in Babies. When an infant is born, he retains the hormones of the mother and hence such acne develops. Though no external medication is required, yet if these remain for long time, then consult a doctor immediately.

Cradle cap is nothing but small patch formation on the scalp. This happens due to over active glands in Baby’s scalp. Simple solution to this would be wiping gently with baby oil regularly and leaving it for few minutes. Also brush or comb the baby once done.

Chafing results when there is friction between the baby and his clothes. Try to remove or change the clothes to ensure that friction is not created. Even if such chafing occurs, you can apply regular baby cream to subside it.

Lastly, Eczema is a genetically determined common skin condition which is also known as atopic dermatitis. Keep the skin dry and clean. Consult pediatrician or health care professional for proper medication.

By: Tom Schavo

A Primer for New Mothers
One of the most often asked questions asked by new mothers is “what is the best way to care for my baby’s skin?” Newborn skin can be very delicate and is prone to all kinds of different issues and reactions. The guide below will provide general advice about how to properly care for your newborn baby’s skin.

Cord Care
How you care for your baby’s umbilical cord will ultimately impact how his or her belly button will look later in life. It is important to care for this area carefully in order to avoid infection. Swab the base of the umbilical cord with alcohol twice a day. Make sure you fold diapers down at the waist so the cord can be exposed to air. This helps it dry up and fall off faster.

Bath Time
Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off, stick to sponge baths only. When it falls off completely, you can move on to baby baths. In the first couple of months, babies only need to be bathed two or three times a week. Bathing more frequently at this early stage can dry out your baby’s skin. Keep your newborn clean on days he or she won’t be getting a bath by using a warm, damp washcloth on his or her face, hands, diaper area and neck.

When bathing your baby, use warm tap water, testing the temperature on the inside of your wrist. Make sure you use only water or water along with non-drying baby soap.

Baby Lotion, Baby Oil, Baby Powder
Unless your baby has unusually dry skin, lotions and ointments won’t be necessary. Avoid putting baby oil or any type of greasy compound on your baby’s skin, as this can lead to clogged sweat glands and rashes. If you notice that your newborn’s skin is dry and scaly, you may consider using a moisturizing baby lotion. The best moisturizing technique is to apply the baby lotion right after the bath. In terms of baby powder, opt for powders made from cornstarch rather than talcum. Cornstarch is all natural, and talcum contains chemicals that can cause a severe form of pneumonia if inhaled.  

Diapers & Wipes
Every time you change a diaper, use a baby wipe to clean the entire diaper area. If your baby had a bowel movement, you may require more than one baby wipe. If you have a girl, be careful not to wipe any feces into the genital opening by wiping front to back. If you have a boy, make sure you wipe carefully under the scrotum as stool can hide there.

A Final Word
Bringing home a new baby is without a doubt a very special and exciting occasion. It can also be very daunting for first-time parents who aren’t exactly sure how to care for their new bundle of joy. With these tips on caring for your newborn’s skin, you’ll be well on your way to learning the ropes of parenthood.

By: Amy Nutt

New babies have tender skin, and they need special care when you clean them. Though you already know not to use adult soap on their soft skin, you may not be sure what to use for baby skin care when you first get your baby home. As a rule, you don’t want anything that will irritate skin, and when baby has the softest and newest skin in the world, you have to be choosy about what you buy. Though it may seem daunting, it’s easy to figure out exactly what you need.

There are many items in the stores that are labeled as baby skin care products. For the most part, they are all safe to use, but you should read though the list of ingredients. If you want to stay on the safe side, you can go with a brand that you already know and love. Johnson’s has a great line of baby skin care items, and you will always have good results when using their products. If you want to go ‘all natural’, they have many items that fit that bill as well.

I used all sorts of products for baby skin care when my daughter was young, and though we never had a problem with any of them, I did have a problem with her having dry skin as she got older. This meant that I had to add something to our list of baby skin care products to help her with this problem. Luckily, baby oil or baby lotion seemed to take care of the problem for her. If your baby has dry skin and the lotion isn’t helping, you should visit your doctor to see what is going on. If your baby has eczema, you may need something special.

The most important thing about baby skin care is to be careful with what you use, and to make sure nothing is amiss. You can be gentle and use all of the right products, but that doesn’t mean things will always be easy. You have to be careful about what types of detergent you use for their clothing as well. You may even have to alter what you use on your own clothes if they seem to have irritated skin. There are detergents for baby skin care made just for sensitive skin, and you may have to use it until they get older and can tolerate your regular detergent.

By: Idan Lavi