Looking after your baby’s skin

Baby skin is sensitive, we all know that. But why? When your baby is born, he isn’t fully developed yet. The first year of his life is spent in physical and mental development. The top layer of his skin called the dermis, like the rest of him is still undercooked, so it is susceptible to damage. His skin layer is also still very thin, so it easily absorbs anything you apply on it. That’s why you should avoid applying harsh chemicals on your baby’s skin.

Melanin is the substance that is responsible for our skin colour. It also protects our skin. Since melanin production is still low on babies, their skin is not properly protected yet. It easily chafes and burns if exposed to too much sunshine.

Cleaning your baby’s skin

Since babies’ skin is so sensitive, you need to take extra care of it. Too much washing can remove the protective layer of oil on babies’ skin. So, don’t bath your baby every day. When giving babies a bath; don’t use products with harsh chemicals. Just because your baby products say it’s organic, natural or mild, it doesn’t mean they don’t have harsh chemicals. As a rule of thumb, if they have a strong smell, have lots of bubbles and have a long list of ingredients, they’re like to be too strong for your baby.

The best way to clean babies’ skin is to use water and very mild soap.

Preventing rashes

There are various causes of rashes. Diaper or nappy rash can be caused by friction, too much exposure to dampness or yeast infection. Prickly heat rash on the other hand is caused by blockage of the pores. When it’s too hot and humid, the sweat glands produce lots of sweat to cool the body down. But in babies, the sweat gets trapped under the skin and it forms little bumps and sometimes, even small blisters.

To prevent rashes on your babies’ skin, change their nappies when wet. Use bandana bibs to catch their dribbles and stop them going down their chin and neck. When choosing dribbles bibs to use, choose ones that are made of cotton and soft to touch. Terry towelling dribble bibs can sometimes cause friction rash on babies chin. Fabric conditioner softens terry dribbles bibs, but it stops it absorbing the damp, so you are better off buying bandana bibs that is made of soft cotton fabric.

Finally, when dressing babies, make sure that you use loose clothing made of cotton.