Children's skin care is almost entirely in the hands of parents. Healthy skin can often mean a happy baby. The goal of infant skin care is to minimise skin irritation and that means proper cleansing and maintenance.
Bathtime: Choose a time of day that's not too hectic or busy so you can devote your full attention to your baby. It's better to bathe your baby before a feed, as long as he or she is not hungry. You need to avoid over-bathing and use plain water with a mild non-soap cleanser that will help prevent dehydration.
Choose fragrance-free and color-free bath and skin care products whenever you can! If you wish to scent your baby's bath, add 3-4 drops only of lavender oil to the tub of water. (Lavender oil is not to be taken internally)
Some parents choose to massage baby before bath. The benefits of massage have been recently researched and proven. Use a good quality oil like almond oil, coconut oil or grapeseed oil. You can also use organic olive oil from your pantry if baby oil runs out. You can make your own aromatherapy baby oil using one or two drops of Lavender and/or Chamomile Essential Oils to 4 ounces of your favorite carrier oil (e.g. almond or olive oil). Put a few drops on you hands, rub together to warm, use to moisturize and massage baby’s skin. Use long, gentle strokes as if caressing your baby rather than hard and rough strokes. Babies love massage and feel relaxed and soothed after a good massage and bath, ready for a restful nap.
After your baby's bath, soothe and moisturise your baby's skin by gently massaging with baby lotion (good example is Aqueous cream) or almond oil. Apply a barrier cream or nappy rash cream or powder to baby's bottom as necessary.
Chamomile, aloe, calendula, marigold, and arnica are some ingredients to look for in in lotions and oils. In humid climates, you might need to use a little baby powder (but never use talc) in the creases of the baby's skin, underarms, genital area, and neck. Choose scent-free powders made with cornstarch or bentonite clay.
Many bubble bath products for young children are based on detergents that destroy beneficial bacteria and harm the baby's acid mantle. They are also a leading cause of vaginitis and urinary tract infections in infants. Hence, reserve bubble baths for rare occasions as a privilege.
It is important to change nappies as often as possible to keep baby's skins dry and clean.
Allowing fresh air to get to your baby's bottom whenever you can will also reduce the likelihood of diaper rash. Use a barrier cream such as Zinc oxide cream (various brands available) before putting a nappy.
Common skin problems
Dry skin that peels after birth: When a baby is full term or a little late, parents may see a little bit of peeling of the skin, particularly around the wrists and by the feet and ankles. Moisturisers can be helpful for smoothing out the skin.
Infant acne: Tiny red or white pimples are a result of the mother's hormones circulating through the baby's system. They usually appear at about two weeks of age and nothing needs to be done because, as the hormones leave the baby's system, the acne will disappear.
Heat rash: This may develop in hot, humid weather or if the baby is dressed too warmly. The pores in the skin become blocked, causing small pink pimples. This can be avoided by not overdressing your baby and by not overheating your baby's room. When the humidity drops very low, in a cold environment, the skin begins to crack and flake.
Cradle cap: This shows up as crusty patches in the scalp and eyebrows and is caused by overactive glands. Gently rub baby oil on your baby's scalp and leave on overnight to dislodge the crust. Loosen the scales gently using a comb before washing and rinsing your baby's hair.
Chafing: Can occur whenever skin rubs against skin or there is friction between baby's clothing and skin. Use a small amount of baby talcum, cornstarch powder or lotion on the skin and avoid rough fabrics or tight clothes. Cotton clothes are very soft against the skin. Don't use woollen clothing without another layer of clothing between the wool and your baby's skin as wool is very harsh on the skin. Some polyesters can be scratchy as well.
Nappy Rash: If your baby develops a nappy rash, use a Zinc Oxide cream or other nappy rash cream (such as Sudocream) on the inflamed area. If the rash does not clear, the skin may break and become infected and you should see your doctor.
Sun Protection: Babies are more susceptible to the harmful ultraviolet rays. Infants burn not only from direct sunlight but also from reflected sunlight from water, sand and concrete. Ensure that your baby's head is covered with a wide brimmed hat; dress your baby with protective clothing and use a very high protection sunscreen, formulated for tender young skin, on the exposed areas. Also, avoid or limit exposure to the sun between 10am and 3pm. During the day, if the child's skin is going to be exposed to the sun, a sunscreen is essential. The UVA-protecting active ingredients should preferably be titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. (Avobenzone does protect from UVA rays, but it can be a skin irritant and the goal here is to eliminate all sources of irritation as much as possible.) Formulations with only titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient are best because of their reduced risk of irritation compared to other sunscreen ingredients. Besides, babies don't mind the white cast these kinds of sunscreens give to the skin.
Skin allergies: Reactions caused by many factors - genetic, environmental and bodily. To develop an allergic skin rash you need to come in contact with a substance and then have an immune response against it, so that when you're re-exposed to that substance you get the rash. Not every rash your baby develops is a true allergy, it is often a common skin irritation, so it is advisable to have the infant evaluated and see what other things may be going on.
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