Protect From Cold Weather
Being exposed to cold weather is a sure-fire way to suck the moisture out of any skin, let alone a baby’s skin, which is more sensitive.
The best way to protect sensitive skin from cold weather, according to healthline, is to make sure that the baby is bundled up, ensuring that the least amount of the body is exposed as possible, including the hands and face. As such, if in the stroller, having a cover to protect from the cold is recommended by the publication to keep as much moisture in the skin as possible.
Avoiding Skin Problems At Bath Time
Remember, newborn skin is soft and sensitive. Keep your baby’s skin hydrated by bathing them in warm water for only 3 to 5 minutes. Avoid letting your baby sit or play or soak for long in soapy water. Apply a baby lotion or moisturizer immediately after the bath while their skin is still wet, and then pat dry instead of rubbing. If you are bathing your newborn, use a sponge bath if the cord has not yet fallen off.
Newborn Skin Soaks Up Calming Touch
Giving your newborn a massage is important one-on-one time. Like cuddling, a massage is a way to convey your love and affection for your baby. In fact, research shows that a baby’s very survival depends on being touched by others — as touch triggers hormones, boosts immunity, and helps fight disease. Also, massaged babies are calmer, sleep better, and cry less — every parent’s dream!
There’s no special technique to massaging a baby. Find a carpeted floor in a warm room. Simply lay baby on a soft blanket or fabric. Get a little baby oil or a gentle lotion. Warm it in your hand. Then gently massage baby’s chest and tummy — using a gentle yet firm touch. Try to make eye contact and talk to your baby. Sing softly.
If there’s any fussing, baby may not be ready for a massage. Or the massage may be too forceful, so use a gentler touch. It’s the time spent together that’s most important.
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Baby Skin During The Winter
The dry, cold air in winter holds less moisture. This is why many people notice their skin feels drier at this time of the year.
Babies can have more delicate and sensitive skin than adults. This may make them even more prone to moisture loss, which means their skin can dry out quickly.
Here are some skin concerns you may notice on your baby in cold weather.
Baby Dry Skin: Causes Symptoms And Tips
Parenthood is full of expectations that sometimes dont meet reality. Smooth skin is no exception. Unfortunately, the reality is that your baby will probably have dry skin at one point or another.
Most of the time, your babys dry skin will go away on its own. But sometimes it needs a little help. Thats what were here for!Stick around to discover what causes your babys dry skin, symptoms to watch for, and tips for keeping dry skin at bay.
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Amazing Home Remedies For Dry Skin In Children
December 23, 2014
In winter especially children face the problem of dry skin sometimes it may too dry leading itching and ulcers. It is of vital importance to take care of yours little ones skin in winter, Here are some amazing home remedies for dry skin for children this Winter.
Each child is different, what works with one child may not suit another, so always do a patch test before using any skin care products or home remedies for dry skin.
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Does My Child Need To See A Doctor About Dry Skin
Probably not. But you should take your child to your GP if your child has:
- dry skin that doesnt get better with the treatment described below
- patches of dry skin that are inflamed and itchy
- patches of painful dry skin
- dry skin that has yellow or inflamed spots on top.
Your GP might send your child to see a dermatologist if the dryness doesnt get better with standard treatment.
Swaddle With Warm Clothes
Babies have not learned to properly regulate their own body temperatures yet, so its important to make sure they get neither too hot not too cold in the winter. Dressing baby in layers will allow you to add or subtract clothes as necessary. Even in chilly climates, babies can still get heat rash if they are too heavily swaddled. Heat rash leads to diaper rash, and irritation around the folds of your childs skin. That can lead to crankiness and sleepless nights, which are no fun for anyone.
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How Can I Treat Diaper Rash
- When you change your babys diaper, wash her bottom with mild soap and warm water or unscented baby wipes, rinse and pat dry. If the skin is really sore and red, it may be less painful to wash the area in a warm bath.
- Use an unscented barrier ointment, such as petroleum jelly or a cream with zinc oxide, to protect and lubricate the area after each diaper change. Wipe off any stool-contaminated cream with soap and water after each change and reapply.
- Do not share creams and ointments with other children and dont touch the affected skin and then put your fingers back into the jar. Use a different finger if you need more ointment.
- Do not use baby powder or talc.
- If possible, keep your babys diaper off for short periods to expose her skin to open air. This can help your baby feel better and heal the rash faster.
- If the diaper rash is severe, contact your doctor.
Why Do Newborn Babies Get Dry Skin
Baby skin is synonymous with supple, soft, and smooth skin. But did you know that newborn babies skin can also become dry and flaky?
Even before leaving the hospital or right after being welcomed into your home, your babys skin can begin peeling or flaking. This skin change is normal for newborn infants and can occur on any part of the body.
Babies are born covered in different types of fluids. This includes blood, amniotic fluid, and vernix. The more vernix a baby had on their skin at birth, the less they peel.
Vernix Definition: It is a thick coating which protects a babys skin from the amniotic fluid. When the vernix is wiped off, the babys outer skin layer will start to shed in 1-3 weeks.
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Avoid Harsh Chemicals And Fragrances
Many products marketed for babies can actually cause skin irritation. Chemicals, fragrances, and even natural essential oils can irritate a little ones skin.
Choosing soaps and detergents for sensitive skin can help protect babys skin. Avoiding fragrances and using only safe essential oils will protect baby from unnecessary skin irritation.
Although avoiding these things cant fully prevent normal newborn skin peeling, it makes sure theres no unnecessary irritation as babys skin continues to adjust.
Keep Baths Short And Sweet
Long, warm baths can strip the moisture from your babys skin, so make sure bathtime is kept to a minimum with lukewarm water. Opt for a moisturizing, gentle, and brief bubble bath. Go gentle on the toweling off to avoid irritation and, if skin is particularly irritated, bathe your little one every other day.
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Cut Out Unnecessary Chemicals
Many chemicals in skincare and cleaning products are harmful to the skin, so, its best to avoid them as much as possible.
Perfumes and scented products can especially irritate your babys skin and trigger a flare-up. Try using special soaps or laundry detergent, which are milder for your babys skin.
If your baby has sensitive skin but soap is really necessary, try Dr. Bronners Pure-Castile Liquid Soap. As it isnt tear-free, I suggest keeping it away from babys eyes, but it will soften and moisturize the skin without harsh perfumes.
You could also try washing your clothes with the Puracy liquid detergent, which is plant-derived and contains no harsh chemicals. If you prefer unscented products, try Mollys Suds, a natural powder detergent, gentle on clothes for sensitive skin.
Keep Your Newborn Comfortable
This is one of the most important things you can do to treat your newborns peeling skin. If your little one seems to be uncomfortable because of their peeling skin, try to make them as comfy and happy as possible.
The tips listed here will all be helpful, but special love and attention from you can go a long way, too.
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Give Your Baby A Small Dose Of Pain Relievers
For babies at the six-month mark or beyond, a tiny dose of ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the swelling of the baby rash and relieve pain. Ibuprofen is generally safe for children six months or older.
Acetaminophen has the same safety recommendation, except it can sometimes be approved for babies younger than six months. You should always consult your doctor before giving any medicines to your baby.
Causes Of Skin Peeling On Babys Face
Even though peeling can occur on any part of your babys body, you might notice more peeling on your babys face. Again, this is probably nothing to worry about, and it should go away on its own.
Keep in mind that the skin on a babys face is sometimes more sensitive than the skin on other parts of their body, so its prone to irritation. Other things can cause dryness on their little faces, too.
Spitting up and drooling can dry out and irritate their delicate skin, as well as exposure to the elements . These factors, and those listed below, might contribute to extra peeling and flakiness on their face.
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Dress Your Baby In The Right Clothing
Not only is it important to wash your babys clothes in gentle detergents, but its also important that you dress your baby in the right clothing. Choose clothing made from soft, gentle fabrics that wont rub or irritate your newborns peeling skin.
Dont dress your little one in clothing thats too tight, as tight clothing can prevent your babys skin from breathing, possibly leading to irritation and rashes. Opt for loose-fitting clothing instead. Try Mustelas Stelatopia Skin-Soothing Pajamas, which are 100% cotton and made with natural ingredients to help soothe babys skin.
Lastly, when the weather is chilly, dress your baby in several thin layers rather than one or two heavy layers. Babies tend to get hot easily, so multiple rounds of layering and delayering may be necessary to keep your child comfortable and content.
Causes Of Your Babys Dry Skin
Most babies have dry, peeling skin immediately after delivery, especially if theyre born past their due date. This is completely normal and quickly gets better. But dry skin on your baby can happen at any time after that, too. To start, bathing your baby too often or using harsh soaps can cause dry skin. This is because harsh soaps can strip your babys skin of its natural oils, which makes it harder to lock in much-needed moisture. Another reason for your babys dry skin could be the weather. Just like you may notice your skin becoming dry and itchy during certain seasons, extremely hot or cold weather can affect the texture of your babys skin, too. Speaking of your skin, if you suffer from dry skin, your baby most likely will too because genes are another dry skin cause. For example, some genetic skin conditions, like eczema, can cause dryness.
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Rinse Your Baby Off After Swimming
If youre taking your baby out for a nice dip in the pool or ocean, rinse off their skin afterward. The chemicals from the pool and the salt water from the ocean can sometimes secretly irritate your babys skin, especially if they already suffer from dryness. And after you do a quick rinse, remember to moisturize their skin!
Delay Babys First Bath
Vernix protected your babys skin in the womb and can continue to protect babys skin after birth.
Rather than bathing baby on the first day of life, delay the first bath for one, two, or even several days. This allows the vernix to continue to protect and moisturise babys skin.
A gentle wiping away of amniotic fluid and blood, and rubbing in the vernix is enough to keep baby clean in the first few days of life.
Delaying the bath also allows for more uninterrupted skin-to-skin time with parents. The scent helps with baby bonding and feeding, as the scent a baby has from being in the womb matches the scent of the areola glands .
The benefits of a delayed bath go beyond just the benefits for the skin.
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When To Call Your Babys Healthcare Provider
After the first few weeks of the typical newborn skin peeling and flaking have passed, if your babyâs skin still seems dry or even irritated, even when you’ve followed all the tips above, itâs best to get in touch with your babyâs healthcare provider. Sometimes dry, flaky skin may be the result of an allergic reaction or skin rash that may need to be treated with a prescription medication.If the red, flaky skin is in the diaper area, it may be diaper rash. Diaper rash can often be managed at home with frequent diaper changes, exposing the skin to air more often, and by using a barrier ointment, but if the diaper rash looks severe or doesnât go away, itâs worth contacting your babyâs provider for personalized advice on what to try next.