A newborn baby’s skin is not just soft as fur but it’s also delicate as a flower. It is very important to take care of their tender skin because it is still in the development process.
A baby’s skin is very sensitive and new parents are always concerned about rashes and allergies. And it is important as well!
A wrong product or a wrong practice and your baby has to suffer! A lot of child care product companies offer a humble range of products but going natural is always a more reliable option.
Here are 10 natural ways by which you can take care of your little one’s fragile skin.
No sun exposure
It is not a good idea to take your baby out on a sunny day. Avoid exposing his fragile skin to harsh sun rays or any other source of heat. It can cause severe sun burns and redness.
It is advisable to cover a baby suitably while taking him out in the sun. You can also use a baby safe sunscreen that will act as a shield to protect his skin against sun rays.
Excess Cold is harmful too
Cold weather is not a friend to your child’s fragile skin. It can cause frostbite, chapped lips, eczema and more. Exposed skin, fingers and toes are highly susceptible.
You should dress your baby in adequate warm clothes, mittens, socks and hat to protect your little one from cold weather atrocities.
Massaging with natural oils
Massaging a baby regularly not only makes his bones strong but is also very important for their skin.
Use natural oils such as almond oil, olive oil or coconut oil to massage your child regularly. They are gentle, safe and nourish your baby’s skin.
Make sure you do not use products that have chemicals or synthetic perfumes because that can be detrimental to your baby’s sensitive skin.
Chamomile oil is a good choice if your child has a very dry and sensitive skin.
Bathing Frequency
Parents tend to bathe their child everyday. Excessive bathing leads to loss of natural oils from baby’s skin. Hence it is advisable to bathe a baby at the most four times a week.
Use lukewarm water and mild soaps to avoid being harsh on their tender skin. Do not keep a child in water for long. And make sure you do not take him to a cold room for drying.
Do not experiment with new soaps and shampoos as they can cause severe allergies. Prefer gentle and trusted brands for your child’s fragile skin.
Powdering a baby is not always essential if you have dried him enough. But even if you go for one, choose a safe baby talcum powder.
Cotton clothes
Fancy and synthetic fibre clothes can cause redness and irritation. Dressing up your little child in a fancy dress made of synthetic fibres on a summer is a bad idea.
Cotton clothes are comfortable and do not cause any irritation. They are soft and are more absorbent of sweat hence they are best suited for preventing children against heat rashes.
Dressing up a child in something that has a lot of layers can also cause them a lot of discomforts. It is advisable to wash your child’s clothes with mild detergents and keep them clean to prevent them from unwanted infections and allergies.
Moisturizing
Use natural moisturisers to re-lock the moisture of your child’s skin after bath or at regular intervals. Use coconut oil if you want to go all natural.
Lack of proper moisturising causes a baby’s skin to dry which can eventually lead to cracks. These are not the signs of a healthy skin routine.
There are few practices that mothers have been following since ages. One among them is applying raw milk and rose water for restoring soft and healthy skin. Make it a part of your child care routine for best results.
Keep your child hydrated
Dry skin is very uncomfortable so make sure your baby stays hydrated because that is very important to lock moisture on his skin.
Breastfeed your child or feed him through a bottle at regular and frequent intervals. It is practice that not only keeps your child healthy but also nourishes his skin.
Add oatmeals to bath
Take uncooked whole oats and grind them into a fine powder. Add this fine powder to lukewarm water for bathing your child.
An oatmeal bath is a trusted solution for treating itchy and dry skin.
The water will feel soft and silky on your child’s skin but do not keep him in the bathtub for too long because the effect gradually dries out.
Oatmeal bath soothes diaper rashes and helps in healing.
Pat baby dry after bath
It is healthy practice to dry your baby well after bathing him. Use soft cotton towels to soak excess water on his skin.
From a hygiene point of view, keep your baby’s towels and other accessories washed in mild detergents and do not let anybody else use them.
You should dry his body just by patting and being gentle. Rubbing a towel on his tender body can be harsh and can cause redness.
Diapering
Diaper rashes are very common and cause a lot of discomfort to the child. It is important to change the diapers often and after bowel movements.
Clean the area gently with a wet cloth, cotton balls or baby wipes. Make sure you clean it properly to avoid urinary infections.
Let your baby stay without a diaper for a part the day, while he just lays on some diaper clothes. And if you find diaper rashes that really need urgent help, refer to a paediatrician.
Besides relying on the products available in the market, it is always good to follow a healthy natural routine for taking care of your child.
Don’t get carried away with fancy packaging and marketing strategies. Research well before you introduce anything as a part of your child care routine.
It’s you who can best nourish your child’s skin and keep the softness intact forever.
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