As a mother, you know every inch of your baby's skin, so of course you want to make sure every nook and cranny is cared for.
As a mother, you know every inch of your baby's skin: the way it looks, feels, and smells. While intuitively you may know it's your baby's skin that enables your wee one to explore the wide world, you may not be aware of what a critical role it plays in your baby's overall health. The skin serves as a protective layer that essentially shields the rest of the body. The skin holds in vital water while keeping out potential infections and irritants, keeping your baby healthy and strong. And while it may look perfect, proper skincare is important for your baby as her skin is much more vulnerable than your own.
IN THE WOMB
Very early in the pregnancy, the outermost, waterproof protective layer of your baby's skin forms. Later, the oil glands or sebaceous glands (its scientific name) develop. Small secretions from these glands create one of the greatest things about babies...that sweet, new baby smell.
IN THE WORLD
Although your baby's skin appears to be similar to an adult's skin in both structure and function, it's actually much thinner. This is because after birth, your baby's skin is still developing. In fact, it takes time for the protective barrier of a baby's skin to develop. So, in the beginning, the skin is highly permeable, allowing substances applied to the skin to be more easily absorbed. Since newborns have a greater skin surface to body weight ratio, there's a higher water absorption and loss. This can cause your baby's skin to become dry, especially during cleansing. Therefore, it's important to use only the gentlest of products on your baby's skin.
Tips on how to care for your baby's delicate skin
| 1. |
Give your baby approximately 2-3 warm (not hot) baths per week. |
| 2. |
Use soap-free, tear-free baby wash products to clean your baby; stay away from products designed for adults |
| 3. |
Generously apply baby lotion to help seal in moisture, especially after a bath. |
| 4. |
Avoid using harsh laundry detergents, as they can irritate baby's sensitive skin. |
| 5. |
For babies over six months, minimize exposure to the sun and always use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. It is recommended that babies under six months of age should not be exposed to the sun. |
| 6. |
Do not overheat your home, as this could dehydrate your baby's skin. |
Facial Care
