During the early growth development of babies, they need tender, loving-care and physical contact from their parents. Bathing, massaging and taking care of your baby’s skin daily offers the perfect chance to show them your affection, and keep your baby clean and healthy.
Caring for your baby’s skin is important to help protect it from the outside world. Pollution and changes in temperature can quickly cause your baby’s skin to become dry and patchy. This will result in infections and other skin conditions.
Typical Baby’s Skin Conditions
1. Diaper Rash
This can be due to several reasons – either through contact with urine or feces, or due to overly sweaty or sensitive skin. It can also happen if you don’t choose a diaper made from the right material, or if you fasten the diaper too tightly on the baby.
It’s harmless and can easily be avoided. Cleans your baby regularly and don’t forget to keep your baby skin moisturise with the proper baby lotion or cream. This will help stop friction and retain moisture in the skin.
2. Heat Rash
These red, raised and round bumps often appear on the forehead, skin folds and neck, when your little one has a fever or heat rash. This condition will go away by itself. Make sure to keep your baby’s skin hydrated and moisturised all the time, and put light and loose-fitting clothes on your baby.
If this happens, you can give your baby some extra comfort by applying a smoothy cream or moisturizing lotion to the affected area, to moisture and soothe the baby’s skin.
3. Dry Skin
If your baby’s skin dries, flakes and cracks, make sure to use mild and gentle products that are suitable for your baby’s skin.
Before using a product, apply a small amount on your baby’s skin to test if your baby has a reaction. Choose baby bath care products that can deeply cleanse and moisturise your baby skin, and make sure your baby drinks enough water daily.
4. Seborrheic Dermatitis
This is a common condition that causes dry scales and rough skin, and often appears on the baby’s forehead. It happens when your baby’s scalp (as one of the oil-producing glands’ area) overproduces oil, or it could be from the oil residue of the shampoo you used to wash your baby’s hair. That’s why choosing a mild and gentle formula shampoo is important.
It’s harmless, but it will make your baby feel itchy and uncomfortable. To get rid of it, apply a small amount of cream with natural ingredients on your baby’s head, leave it for a few minutes, and gently comb the affected area.
5. Baby Acne
Tiny white bumps can appear on your baby’s skin. Like acne, these are caused by accumulated oil in the pores. This will go away by itself in a few months, usually when your baby turns 4-6 months old. If your baby happens to have these bumps, make sure to put on thin clothing so they won’t get sweaty unnecessarily.
Here’s How You Can Prevent Dry Skin On Your Baby
1. Use A Moisturising Cleanser During Bath Time
Bathe your little one using a moisturising cleanser that’s designed especially for a baby. Use a gentle cleanser that has no parabens, and made with natural ingredients that is delicate to your little one’s skin. Avoid using shower gel, as they can cause itchiness and irritated skin.
Use NIVEA BABY Head to Toe Shampoo & Bath as the formula is gentle with chamomile flowers that can gently cleanse baby’s delicate skin & hair. Gently dab your baby’s skin, instead of rubbing it on. You can also use a washcloth to clean the sensitive areas around the eyes and ears. If your baby is prone to dry skin, make sure the water is not too hot.
You know you did the right thing if your baby’s not crying. Bath time is supposed to be fun and it’s a perfect time to bond with your baby. A calm mum makes for a calm baby.
2. Apply Baby Lotion
Applying a baby lotion on your baby’s skin after a nappy change or bath can be very beneficial for them. Your baby skin is prone to dryness, it’s vital to keep it moisturised as possible.
Pick a hypoallergenic product that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients to your baby.
Use NIVEA BABY Gentle Touch Moisturizing Lotion, as it protects and moisturises your baby’s skin to ensure it stays soft and healthy. It has skin-friendly ingredients, like Aloe vera – a natural cooling property effective in moisturising and hydrates the dry skin naturally and a hypoallergenic formula that helps absorb and balance moisture in your baby’s skin. It contains no parabens and colourants.
This helps lessen the chance of allergic reactions and irritated skin. NIVEA BABY Gentle Touch Moisturizing Lotion is compatible with any skin, is clinically and dermatological approved; hence, you don’t have to worry about over-applying it to your baby.
Your baby’s skin will stay fresh, soft and healthy as it should be. No more dryness and patchy skin that’ll turn your baby’s mood sour.
3. Protect Your Baby From The Sun
Living in a tropical country where you have summer weather most of the time, it’s important to know that overexposing your baby to the sun is detrimental to their health. New parents often get excited taking a stroll to the park in the evening – to enjoy the fresh air and hear the sound of the leaves rustling when the winds blow. But did you know that the UV rays from the sun can actually hurt your baby’s delicate skin? Unlike adults, babies have thin skin and are much more prone to getting sunburned.
Take precautions and careful measures when you’re planning on taking your baby out, especially when the sun is still high in the sky. Use a sunshade cover on the stroller, and put proper clothes on your baby. But be careful and don’t accidentally smother your baby in the stroller with a blanket.
Taking care of your baby’s skin is very important. Your baby’s healthy skin begins with a healthy routine. By taking steps to shield your little one’s delicate skin, you will ensure that the baby skincare products do not contain any harmful ingredients such as paraben and preferably developed by paediatricians and dermatologists. Healthy baby, happy mum!
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