A baby requires extremely special care, not only because it is a newborn, but because its skin is different on a physiological and anatomical level. The main function of a baby’s skin is as a barrier, since it passes from the uterus, where it is surrounded by liquid, to the outside environment. In addition, the skin allows babies to regulate their temperature and protects them from injuries and infections.
Use neutral soaps
Baby’s skin is much more delicate than that of adults, as it lacks bacterial flora to protect it. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the products we use to care for a baby’s skin.
In this sense, at bath time it is advisable to use neutral soaps, given that the baby has an acidic pH, and if other types of alkaline soaps were used, this would cause irritation and infections. The best thing to take care of a baby’s skin is to use neutral, slightly acidic and unscented soaps . To wash it you can use a soft sponge or clean it with your own hands.
Establish a bath routine
It is important to pay special attention to the care of the baby’s skin when you bathe him, however, it is not necessary to bathe the newborn daily, as it could dry out the skin and, in addition, babies have their own self-cleaning mechanisms. If you want to bathe your baby, doing it three times a week is usually enough.
Control bath temperature
What is good for baby’s skin? Preparing the bath is essential for baby care. The water temperature should be around 37ºC and the ambient temperature in the bathroom should be between 20ºC and 22ºC.
Control bath time
Bath time is also another factor to take into account when caring for a baby’s skin. Thus, one of the ways to care for a newborn’s skin is that the bath lasts only between 5 and 10 minutes , as this is enough time to control the temperature and avoid overexposure of the skin to artificial products.
Use moisturizers and moisturizing creams
How to care for a baby’s skin ? After bathing him, it is important to dry him gently, giving him small touches and without rubbing so as not to irritate the skin. Additionally, to take care of your child’s skin, it is essential to use moisturizing lotions to keep him or her hydrated . Remember that babies’ skin is delicate and very sensitive, so it is essential to moisturize it.
It is best to spread a thin layer of cream after bathing and also apply it at another time of the day. Additionally, you should make sure that the cream is free of parabens, alcohol or perfumes.
You must keep in mind that using moisturizing creams after bathing a baby will help improve the skin’s mechanisms; however, it is not good to smear the baby’s body excessively, as it will make the baby feel cold and the skin will be too moist.
Moisturize when changing the diaper
To care for the baby’s skin, it is essential to clean and moisturize it when you change the diaper, since it is a delicate area. When cleaning the baby’s bottom you should use special wipes . Cleaning should be done from the dirtiest area, from front to back, so as not to disperse the dirt. I would suggest using offspring baby diapers to protect your baby’s skin from rashes and irritation.
Prevent irritation
After cleaning your baby’s bottom, you’ll want to make sure the area is completely dry before putting on the new diaper. As this is a delicate area, it is necessary to use protective cream to generate an antibacterial barrier that protects the child from possible irritation when coming into contact with urine or feces.
Be careful if you use perfume
As we have pointed out, to care for a baby’s skin it is advisable not to use perfumed or alcohol-based products. However, if you want to lightly perfume it, we recommend using alcohol-free cologne . Spraying a few drops on the scalp or clothes will be enough to make the baby smell wonderful and his skin will be perfectly cared for.
Avoid sun exposure
Since babies’ skin is extremely sensitive and delicate, you should avoid direct sunlight until the infant is three years old. Additionally, when you go out you should protect the newborn’s skin with sun protection with SPF 50+ factor . It is recommended that the sunscreen used has physical or mineral filters and is water resistant.
Pay attention to sudden changes in temperature
Finally, to guarantee the correct development of the baby and properly care for its skin, we recommend not exposing it to high or low temperatures. Your skin will appreciate a stable and warm temperature . Additionally, exposure to high temperatures can cause hyperthermia or sudamina, while low temperatures can increase the risk of hypothermia or panniculitis.
