Newborn babies are the softest creation of the Almighty and that’s why following the right baby skincare routine is one of the most prime concerns after you have a baby. Figuring out a routine for the same can also get very difficult for a hundred reasons and that’s why, we are here to help you avail the right baby skin care tips for your newborn baby to your 5 months baby or your six months baby.
Let’s get started!
1. Avoid taking your baby out to in the sun:
Do not take your baby out in the sun much and when you can’t avoid it but have to do so then it’s best to keep them as much as possible in the shade. If you have a 5 months baby or lower, you cannot even use sunscreen on them because that can really damage their tender skin. There are some sub tips that you can also follow while taking your baby out in the sun:
- Limit your baby to the shaded areas as much as possible.
- Cover your baby’s neck and ears by maybe making use of a hat.
- Cover your baby’s arms and legs and also make sure you put them in a comfy loose fitting outfit.
- Try to avoid exposure to the sun between 10am to 4pm because the UV rays might impact your baby during that time frame.
It is also important to keep your baby hydrated by feeding them in regular intervals if you are keeping them outside for more than a few minutes.
2. Take care of Dry skin:
Babies having dry skin is not really something off because they can get dry patches here after you bring them home from the hospital. These patches usually get cured on their own without the need for any add on moisturizer.
But, if the baby starts to show cracking skin then you must take it seriously and to treat that you can make use of petroleum jelly based products. And if you want to make use of any moisturizer then you have to make sure that it’s free of any perfume or dyes so that it doesn’t irritate the baby’s skin.
3. Prepare a bathing routine:
You should have a proper bathing routine for your baby or your infant. You must give regular showers to your baby but that doesn’t mean you need to shower the baby daily. You can clean the baby’s genitals, toes, face etc with a washcloth or lukewarm water. Although you must be careful about the washcloth or towel that you use because it might cause irritation or allergies to your baby’s delicate skin.
There are some baby skin care tips that you can keep in mind while giving your baby a shower:
- Get hold of your baby tightly and don’t even leave them alone for a loose second in the bath.
- Don’t heat the water too much, it should always be lukewarm.
- Shower must not range from more than 5 to 10 mins.
- Clean the baby’s face and eyes only with water and no other solution.
- Use fragrance and dye free products for your baby to avoid any kind of allergies or irritation.
- After the shower, pat your baby dry before putting on any clothes.
4. Don’t worry about the cradle cap:
Cradle cap is a very common skin situation in babies that normally appears from a
3 weeks to 3 months of age.
In a cradle cap, you’ll come across yellowish, greasy-looking patches, named plaques, in and around your baby’s scalp and the crown of their head. Cradle cap can also develop on the forehead, eyebrows, and beside the ears.
In most scenarios, the cradle cap will go away on its own. Before giving your baby a shower, it may help to apply a small amount of emollient, such as mineral oil, to the affected area before washing your baby’s scalp and proceed with a gentle shampoo
If you don’t notice any improvements with the condition after a few washes, you should consult your baby’s doctor about other probable cures.
4. Get saved from dermatitis triggers:
Contact dermatitis refers to something that can cause an allergic reaction on your baby’s skin. It may develop in many different techniques, that includesrr red and swollen skin or skin that’s dry, cracked, and peeling.
The following are common irritants and allergens that may cause contact dermatitis. It includes:
- Saliva
- Urine
- Soaps or detergents
- Lotions
- Dyes
- Perfumes
- Cosmetics
- Latex
- Any metal
If you can’t figure out what might have triggered the reaction, you must consult a pediatrician Or a dermatologist for that matter.
The cure to this actually involves at-home remedies and recommendations, such as the following:
- Make your baby wear loose fitting clothes.
- Avoid rough fabrics like wool.
- Avoid perfumed dyed products to avoid any form of irritation.
- Shower your baby with lukewarm water till the rashes disappear.
- Stay away from the irritant that caused the rashes if you know that is.
5. Be careful with long nails:
Even though your baby has small and thin nails, they might still be sharp and pointy. Long or sharp nails can create scratches on the face or body, so it’s always advisable to keep a check on how your baby’s nails are growing.
Baby nails grow fast, so you may need to file or trim your baby’s nails every week or more often. You can use a non-metal nail file to gently smoothen and shorten the nails or a baby nail clipper to limit the length.
It’s always suggested that you cut or file your baby’s nails while they’re sleeping or very relaxed to prevent sudden jerking movements that may cause cuts.
6. Caring for the umbilical cord:
When you bring your baby home for the first time, the umbilical cord will still be connected to the belly button. You’ll need to keep the area as clean and dry as possible until the cord falls off in about 1 to 3 weeks.
It’s supremely that you don’t pull on or try to force the umbilical cord to fall off. It will come off on its own. You don’t need to apply any substance — not even rubbing alcohol — to prevent infection or aid in the drying process.
You must contact your baby’s doctor if you notice the following things in and around the umbilical cord or the belly button region:
- pus
- redness or swelling
- fever of 100°F or higher
- foul smelling discharge
- large amount of bleeding
These are some of the most primary baby skin care tips that you should follow when you are dealing with newborn babies. Baby skin can be really soft and delicate and that’s why new parents are asked to be extra careful about their little ones. Try to use as few products as you can because with these little munchkins it is always less is more and nothing else. Be it a five month baby or a five week old, you must always be supremely careful about things that come in contact with your baby in order to keep up with the hygiene part of it. Being hygienic actually solves half the skin problems of little babies and if you take care then you can also avoid rashes if you want.