There’s nothing quite like new baby skin. It’s soft, plump and with a magical scent that makes everyone melt. But in those first few years, it’s also extremely sensitive and much thinner than adult skin.
Does my baby have sensitive skin?
Young skin is very sensitive due to various factors including: indoor heating to cold outdoor air, summer sun exposure, chlorinated water, diaper rash, and frequent bathing. So, it's important to ensure you check your baby's skin regularly, to ensure there are no changes that may indicate irritation etc.
Here's some tips to keep in mind for your baby's skin care routine:
Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise
Moisturising your baby’s sensitive skin is so important in creating a barrier between external irritants and your baby’s delicate skin. For an everyday moisturiser, try the Baby Derma Cream. The best time to use the cream is straight after a bath. After a bath, gently pat the skin with a soft towel, then apply the Derma Cream all over the body.
Look at the ingredient list
Baby care aisles are full of sweet-smelling products with beautiful packaging and smiling babies. However, many skin care products geared towards babies and children are filled with impossible-to-pronounce ingredients that can cause skin irritation, as well as dubious health effects.
Many of the products you apply onto babies skin are used on a regular basis, such as moisturiser, shampoo, and nappy rash cream. This makes it critical to use clean, gentle, and effective products that are safe to use on a regular basis.
A general rule to follow is that if you can't pronounce the ingredient, it may be worth taking a look at another product.
Choose skin-friendly household products
The significance of ingredients doesn’t end with skincare products. Commonly used household products can contribute to skin issues too, so it’s important to take a good look at what you’re using in your home. Start by considering these:
Choose soft, breathable fabrics
Heat can cause a rash to develop on your bub’s skin, and wind and cold weather can cause skin chafing and irritation. When dressing your child, choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, bamboo, jersey knit, and fleece. These are less likely to cause irritation and allow your child’s skin to have the air exchange it needs.
Diapers and diaper products
One of the most sensitive parts of your baby’s body is their diaper area. It’s exposed to a lot of moisture and doesn’t get much air throughout the day. There’s no getting around the need for diapers (unless you use cloth diapers), but you can keep your little one’s bottom as dry as possible and use products that prevent irritation and discomfort.
It’s important to be vigilant in changing your baby's diaper regularly when it gets wet or soiled, and keep your baby’s skin dry and clean. Make sure to give your bub's skin some much-needed air time as well during the day. Let your baby play without a diaper to give their skin a healthy dose of fresh air.
Always perform a patch test first!
Before switching to a new skincare product, make sure to test a small amount on your baby’s skin first. Then wait a while to see if the product causes any irritation, such as a rash or dry itchy skin. If nothing happens, you’re good to go!
