A baby’s skin is delicate. It is important to take good care of the skin to ensure it remains hydrated and supple. There are a few basic steps to be followed as part of the baby’s skincare routine to ensure that his / her skin remains ‘baby soft’. Also, choose products that are free of chemicals and alcohol to protect the skin and retain its natural oils.
Babies are born with a protective coating of wrinkly skin called vernix. Till the vernix peels off naturally and the stump of the umbilical cord falls off and heals (usually within 1-2 weeks after birth), there is no need to follow an elaborate skincare ritual for the baby. Wiping the baby down with a soft, damp cloth / natural sponge / water-based wet wipe is more than sufficient.
After this period, the baby may be given a bath 3-4 times a week. Bathing more frequently can do more harm than good since the natural oils in the baby’s body may be stripped off, leaving the skin dry and prone to rashes.
It may surprise you to know how many products are involved in bathing a small baby. Before bathing the baby, ensure that all the products that you need are kept ready and within a distance of your arm. At no point in time should the baby be left unattended in the bath as babies can drown in even 4-5 inches of water.
To clean the baby’s body, use a baby bath sponge/baby bath mitten and lukewarm water. Squeeze a few drops of baby liquid soap or baby wash onto the sponge or mitten and gently work up a lather. Do not forget to clean the hard-to-reach places like the folds of the legs, armpits, and behind the ears.
Wash the baby’s scalp and face towards the end of the bath. Pour a few drops of baby shampoo on the sponge and gently wash the scalp and hair. Take care to wash the area around the eyes and face with water only, unless particularly dirty.
After the bath, immediately wrap the baby in a hooded towel and lay them on a changing table or a flat surface. If the baby is not wrapped, he/she is likely to feel very cold after being lifted out of the lukewarm bath. Pat the bathwater of the baby’s body gently with the towel and immediately apply baby lotion. This will help to seal in the moisture and keep the baby’s body hydrated.
Before putting on the diaper after a bath, the baby can be given a massage with baby oil. Using gentle strokes to massage the oil helps to improve blood circulation in the body and helps the baby to sleep better. Baby oil is also beneficial for preventing diaper rash and chafing. Use a baby oil like PIGEON Baby Oil that absorbs easily into the skin and moisturizes the baby’s sensitive skin and protects it from dryness.
Small babies have folds in their skin. Moisture after a bath or sweat over the course of the day can collect in these folds and cause fungal infections and rashes, especially in the diaper area. Constant movement can also create friction, accumulating sweat in the body and irritate the skin. Using a hypoallergenic and baby-friendly baby powder can keep the baby’s sensitive skin fresh and free from excess moisture. The powder can be conveniently applied with a powder puff with short hair. Both the baby powder and powder puff can be stored together in a powder case.
- While everyone is tempted to keep buying new clothes and toys for babies, it is important to give them a good wash before they touch the baby’s skin. Use a Laundry Detergent Powder or Liquid Laundry Detergent that can remove germs and tough stains without being harsh to the baby’s skin. The Liquid Cleanser (made of 100% food-grade material) that is used to clean the baby’s feeding bottles and other feeding accessories can be used to clean the toys before handing them over to the baby.
- Another factor that affects a baby’s skin is the sun. Sun exposure can cause heat rashes and burns on their delicate skin. Since it is not advised to apply sunscreen on very young babies, it is advisable to keep the baby in the shade as much as possible. In case the baby needs to go out in the sun, he/she should be made to wear loose, comfortable clothing that covers the hands and legs along with a hat to cover the face and neck.
- Similarly, during winter, the baby’s skin tends to dry out and may crack which may be painful for the baby. Along with applying baby lotion, it is important to keep the baby well-hydrated during winter to prevent dryness.
- PIGEON is a top brand in mother and baby care products. Their wide range of baby skincare products has been created after decades of studying babies. PIGEON’s baby skincare range has been created with products that are safe for the baby, are hypoallergenic, and are free from alcohol and parabens. They are ideal for the sensitive skin of babies and come with convenient and user-friendly packaging.
