The skin of a newborn baby is tender and requires special care. That’s why you need to know how to properly care for it and what tools to use.
Newborn baby skincare is important for all parents. Because healthy babies’ skin forms a stable barrier but it develops at least during the first year of life.
Thus, susceptibility to dryness and irritation from external factors is higher than at another age. Because of this, too much heat or cold can provoke allergic reactions. Certain foods can also provoke an aggressive reaction.
Newborn baby skincare
First of all, it is important that children’s cleansers and moisturizers are well-tolerated and do not change the stratum corneum (upper layer of the epidermis). After birth, the skin is sensitive and exposed to factors that can break down the skin barrier.
These include:
- saliva;
- nasal discharge;
- urine;
- feces and fecal enzymes;
- dirt.
Due to the daily exposure to these factors, it is important to ensure optimal skin cleansing and proper protection of the skin barrier.
Hygiene
Newborn skin hygiene should begin when its body temperature stabilizes. At birth, the pH of the skin is neutral. Later it becomes sour.
The use of alkaline soap causes a temporary increase in pH and a child’s susceptibility to infection and irritation. Therefore, neutral or slightly acidic, odorless soap in minimal doses is recommended.
For the first two weeks, wash your baby gently and only with warm water. According to research in pediatric dermatology, excessive temperature, intensive use of soap and too frequent or prolonged baths contribute to dry skin (irritative dermatitis).
Temperature
To ensure good skincare for your baby, you need to consider the temperature of the baby’s environment, because when the temperature is too high, it can lead to sweating or hyperthermia. Meanwhile, if it is too cold, it can lead to hypothermia or panniculitis.
That’s why you need to provide adequate protection against temperature changes, especially in summer and winter. According to information provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants under the age of six months should be protected from direct sunlight as much as possible.
Antiseptic solutions
The use of products that contain antiseptics is not suitable for cleansing healthy skin. This is because it causes changes in the skin microbiological ecosystem and contributes to the spread of other types of microorganisms.
Also, the skin can easily absorb alcohol, which can cause burns or changes in skin pH.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers can be used as part of a newborn’s skincare. However, only if they have the right formula for babies. Then they can help improve the skin’s protective barrier after bathing. It is even advisable to consider using them twice a week.
To avoid occlusal effects, a thin layer should be applied to avoid trapping in the skin folds. Otherwise, thermal deregulation and bacterial colonization can occur.
Navel care
The rest of the umbilical cord usually disappears 5-15 days after birth. This can be considered a wound and therefore a possible gateway for germs.
Therefore you need to dry the area around it. It is also advisable to wear loose clothing and not cover the navel. In this case, doctors recommend using an antiseptic and apply it with each diaper change.
Skincare under diapers
The rash is a common phenomenon that occurs in most children. Under diapers, there is a complex interaction of factors with harmful potential. When moisture is retained in diapers for a long time, friction increases. As a result, there is a maceration of the skin, as well as greater permeability and microbial development.
The skin of a newborn baby is softer because the protective barrier has not yet been fully formed. Therefore, it is important to ensure maximum hygiene and make sure that you use the appropriate remedies.
You are responsible for the health of your child’s skin and reducing the risk of allergic reactions or infections. Also, you need to consider aspects such as temperature and the appropriate use of antiseptics and moisturizers.
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