HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR BABY’S SKIN
Are you expecting your first child? Have you just had your first child? You’re now living in a new world in which (we’ve all been there) you are plagued by doubts. One of the main ones will probably be how to care for your baby’s skin and the best products for doing so. Keep reading to find out!
- Bath time
To clean your baby’s skin, run a bath at the ideal temperature: 37 degrees C. The water shouldn’t be too hot or it will dry out your baby’s skin, and if it’s too cold your baby will be uncomfortable. Use neutral soaps with ultra-delicate soap-free formulas that respect the sensitivity and fragility of a baby’s skin. Apply the soap by hand to avoid unnecessary friction. After 5 to 10 minutes in the bath, dry your baby carefully and moisturise them with a suitable product. Apply the moisturiser in a circular motion for a relaxing effect.
- Nappy changing
A baby’s bottom spends lots of time in a damp acidic environment, which is why ‘nappy rash’ is so common. When this happens, change the nappy as soon as it’s wet or dirty (and even if it’s not, it should be changed every 3 hours). Wash the area with water or a no-rinse cleansing gel. It’s extremely important to dry the area well and apply a protecting and repairing cream each time you change the nappy.
- Out and about
Children under the age of 3 should never be directly exposed to the sun. But UVA and UVB rays are present even in winter when it’s cloudy, so it’s important to protect the skin from what is called indirect exposure. This is the exposure you get from going for a walk or sitting under an umbrella or an awning.
- Cradle cap
This is common in babies and mainly due to an excess of sebum in the scalp. It normally appears around 8 months in the form of red marks on the baby’s head. To treat it, we recommend using a specialised cleanser at bath time. Apply it by delicately massaging the head. Thankfully, this should help cradle cap disappear on its own.
