Newborn Skincare - Top 5 Tips!
It’s well known that babies have the most deliciously soft skin, but in the early days it’s extremely delicate as the protective skin barrier takes a while to develop. Your little cherub is therefore more sensitive to allergens so a 'less is more' approach to skincare is often best.
Here are our Top 5 Newborn Skincare Tips to keep your little one’s skin healthy and smooth as a baby’s bottom :)
Just Water
Their skin will mature over the first month, but it’s best to use only water to cleanse or bathe them for the first 4 weeks. During this time it’s recommended to wash your baby no more than 2-3 times a week and just give them a 'top and tail' in between.
Don’t forget the folds!
You may have a gorgeous little babe with a few lovely folds (particularly on those cute thighs!) and it's easy to forget to get in there and give them a wash... you'll only forget once though as they can get fairly stinky pretty quickly! Behind the ears and under the neckline are also prime spots for milk to collect and turn sour, so be sure to give them a good wipe.
Wonderful vernix
Newborn skin can often have white sticky patches known as vernix. This amazing substance develops on your baby’s skin whilst in the womb and acts as a protective barrier and lovely natural moisturiser for the first few days - so don't be tempted to wipe it off!
Managing dry skin
Babies will often have patches of dry skin and it can be very tempting to slather on the olive/sunflower oil to help. However, clinical trials have tested these oils and suggest they should NOT be used. Dry skin will resolve by itself, but if it’s particularly bad, or you have a family history of eczema, a full body emollient may help so please speak to a healthcare provider.
Changing nappies
Nappies should be changed as often as needed to ensure your baby’s skin is kept clean and healthy. It’s recommended to use only water for cleansing their skin to begin with and to let the skin dry naturally or gently pat dry. If you notice signs of nappy rash then a small amount of barrier cream can be applied to help protect the skin.
So as delicious as all those lovely smelling baby products are, just hold off to begin with until the skin is more mature and less likely to react. Finally, just a reminder to use changing or bathing time to glance over your bub’s skin and look out for any changes that you may want to keep an eye on. This may be rashes, yellowing of the skin, bruising or birthmarks. If you are concerned or unsure about anything then seek medical advice - they’re there to help!
