The sensitive body of a newborn baby is the most important concern for many parents. Because of the sensitive parts of the body, it is very important for you to take note of some guidelines to help an infant maintain a healthy glowing skin. How to take care of a baby’s skin?

There are many products on the market that are intended for baby skin care use. However, not all of them are actually advisable or safe for all types of skin. You should always be aware of the sensitivity of your newborn to some chemicals or substances in commercially available products.

For bathing procedures, a gentle soap can be used. Even though water is perfect as the gentlest type of cleansing agent, soaps may add to the overall cleansing process for a newborn baby. You can choose to use a very gentle soap that contains organic substances. Soaps with natural oil extracts such as olive oil, coconut oil or palm oil are highly recommended. Most pediatricians do not recommend the use of antibacterial soaps for they may be too harsh for the baby’s sensitive skin.

In terms of shampooing, you should consider the amount of hair that your baby has. Also, you should be able to determine if it is oily or not. Shampoos can contain strong chemicals that may irritate the scalp of your infant. Mild shampoos are the best to use for newborn babies. You can tell by looking for brands that do not contain alcohols, fragrances, and artificial colors. Babies do not need these substances for shampoos only intended to cleanse dead skin cells on the scalp of a baby.

For additional , you may use lotions and oil for babies. These substances provide a soothing effect to a baby’s irritated skin. Moreover, lotions provide a certain kind of moisturizing effect to keep your baby’s skin free from dryness and chafing. In using lotions and oils, you should get the brand that is free of petrochemicals.

Another skin care product for babies is powders. If you are going to use this for your newborn, be sure that the brand name is specifically intended for infants. Apparently, powder contains fragrances and tiny particles that may induce allergies. Even though these products are used to soothe the skin, there are some cases where inappropriate use can lead to allergic reactions in babies. You should stay away from powders that contain talc. There have been some studies that relate this substance to cancers.

There are a number of ways to make your infant’s skin healthy and glowing. You may opt to choose the mentioned products above to help you provide an efficient way of skin care to your baby. However, you should always be careful in choosing the brand as this factor may cause certain health problems. Over the counter products may be convenient to purchase, but you should regularly consult your pediatrician to make sure they are safe for your baby.

By: David Yu

A newborn baby skin is soft and delicate, so you must handle the baby with care. Generally, there is a popular belief that even babies need a bath every day. Not so is the case. With all the diaper changes and wiping of mouth and nose feedings, most babies need to be bathed every alternate day. But even with this you need to maintain hygiene, especially take care of their bottom.

The nappy is an absolute essential item of baby equipment. But the nappy can also lead to nappy rash. Since the nappy is always in contact with the very soft skin, it creates a warm and moist environment, which promotes growth of bacteria. Compounded with this is the constant friction causing chafing. This results in an uncomfortable and painful problem for the baby.

Baby skin is very tender and needs a lot of care. The outer layer is not completely developed with its elastic fibres. So that fragile skin is susceptible to damage and is very sensitive to touch.

Also baby skin is quite a thin layer. It can absorb anything that is applied on its surface. So you must be careful that his skin is free of any harmful or strong lotions. A baby cream application, especially in winter, will be absorbed easily and keep the skin supple and elastic.

Since the production of melanin is low in babies, exposure to the sun should be avoided, except probably a few minutes to absorb vitamin D from the rays of the sun. Too much exposure to the sun will easily burn the skin and lead to chafing.

Babies need special care of their skin with frequent change of nappies, continuous wiping and cleaning of the nappy area, and around the mouth and nose. If these are not handled carefully chances of infection and skin damage are high.

Avoid using irritants like harsh soaps and detergents. Always use a mild, gentle soap and shampoo for the baby during bath time. Baby creams and lotions are available, and are safe to use.
When your baby passes stools, be sure that you clean the area well with warm water and gentle cleaning product.

Then pat the area dry with a very soft cloth, and dust baby power on that area. This helps to reduce friction between the skin and the clothing, and guards against penetration of irritating or foreign substances through the skin.

Keep the skin of your baby dry, not moist. Apply talcum powder whenever you feel the skin is moist, especially around the nappy area. You can avoid excessive moisture less from the skin by using baby cream and lotion.

Dress the infant in loose fitting clothes. On warm nights cover the baby with a thin sheet instead of using a flannel or think blanket. See that the nappies and clothes that he or she wears are made of fine cotton that is soft to the touch.

Loose clothes allow air circulation, and keep the baby dry and comfortable, away from the clammy heat of summer.

Once the baby grows older, it is easier to manage the care of his or her skin. He or she still needs creams in winter, but his resilience is stronger than other babies.

A lot depends on the diet that is followed. Too many sweet and fatty foods will only lead to indigestion and freckles. If your child is fond of sweets, give him or his ones made at home. You can substitute honey for sugar, for not only is honey nutritious, it is good for the skin.

By: Louise Forrest