How Do We Best Care For Infants’ Skin?

Newborn infants’ skin is extremely fragile and sensitive during the first days of life.

After spending nine months in the womb surrounded by amniotic fluid, the newborn is in a whole new habitat. The newborn’s skin should not only adapt to the new living environment but also to other external factors.

Newborns’ skin is exposed to chemicals in hygiene products and detergents. Their skin should also get used to diapers and clothes that rub against the skin, and because of these external factors, parents wonder how they can best care for and protect their children’s skin.

The simple tips in today’s article will help you clean and moisturize the skin of your little ones. By applying the advice we give you, you will avoid flaky and dehydrated skin.

How do we care for infants’ skin?

Newborns have an extremely fragile skin that needs to be adapted to life outside. It is important that parents follow this process.

Throughout the pregnancy, your baby lives in a dark and wet environment, free from impressions and influences. At birth, the child is deprived of the environment it has been in and is then exposed to new and foreign materials and substances.

To best care for your baby’s skin during this period , you need to consider the following four tips: 

• Change diapers often. Avoid wearing the baby in a wet diaper for a long time.
• Use only soap and skin care products adapted for infants.
• Wear baby clothes that are soft against the skin.
• Lubricate the baby’s skin twice a day. Detailed information follows.

Frequent diaper changes

It is important that parents check the diapers frequently and change dirty diapers immediately if necessary. Frequent diaper changes reduce your baby’s skin contact with urine and feces. If the diapers are not changed often, it can cause painful skin irritations. 

We advise you to use diapers with good absorbency and soap- and chemical-free wet wipes. Use skin creams and ointments specially formulated for diaper rash.

Be careful when bathing

During the baby’s first days of life, you should avoid soap when bathing it. Use only water and avoid rubbing the baby dry.

If you use skin cleansing products, choose those that have a pH value of 4. These are non-abrasive products adapted for sensitive baby skin and you should only use a small amount of the product when bathing.

Bathe the child at least twice a week, but the bathing hours should not be long.

Be careful with the baby’s navel. Avoid bathing until the umbilical stump is completely detached. After the bath, you should only bathe the baby with a soft towel, do not rub the baby dry.

Clothing tips to protect infants’ skin

Infants should wear 100% cotton clothing. Some materials may feel soft but irritate the skin.

Do not let trends blind you when choosing baby clothes, the most important thing is to protect the baby’s skin.

Do not choose baby clothes according to how soft they are or how they feel in your hands and try to avoid clothing that can create allergies and skin irritations.

Your baby is not yet ready to come in contact with certain synthetic fabrics and dyes.

Of course, it is also important to be careful with the detergent used when washing your baby’s clothes.

You should use detergents that are specially adapted for children up to six months of age. Use the detergent for all clothes, towels, bedding and blankets your child uses and avoid fabric softener for the laundry.

It is important to moisturize infants’ skin

Babies’ skin dries out easily and flakes, it is completely normal and no cause for concern.

A good idea is to use specially adapted skin creams to moisturize the baby’s skin and avoid discomfort and irritation.

We advise you to lubricate the baby with moisturizing cream twice a day. Make sure the lotion you use is emollient and suitable for babies.

Talk to your pediatrician about choosing the best skin cream for your baby. Also consult your doctor if you notice irritation or redness on the baby’s skin.