As new parents, you can’t help but marvel at how delicate yet adorable your baby is. You want your baby to be happy and comfortable at all times and will go to great lengths to ensure this. However, your baby’s skin may come in the way of achieving this. If you are wondering how to identify sensitive skin and what’s the best way to take care of it, then you’ve come to the right place.
How do you know if your baby has sensitive skin?
While most parents worry and fret over the fact that their baby has sensitive skin, they will find comfort in the fact that it is common for babies to have sensitive skin. During the first few years of your baby’s life, their skin will develop a layer composed of water and oil. This layer is known as the hydrolipid layer and it protects the skin by acting as a barrier against toxins and prevents loss of moisture. However, use of harsh skincare products which have chemicals, bathing with hot water and not moisturizing the skin effectively can weaken the hydrolipid barrier and make your baby’s skin sensitive. Babies with sensitive skin are prone to develop symptoms such as skin tightness, prickling, tingling, redness and dryness. Signs of sensitive skin include:
- Your baby develops dry skin and rashes after contact with a certain product
- A skin reaction after bathing with soap
- A skin reaction after using a lotion which has artificial fragrances
- Changes in the skin after being dressed due to detergents or dyes
How can I help my baby with sensitive skin?
Once you have determined that your baby has sensitive skin, it is important to ensure that you don’t expose your baby’s skin to products that are made with harsh chemicals, toxins and artificial fragrances as these can irritate the skin, cause excessive dryness, redness and rashes. It’s best to choose natural baby products for the first few years of your baby’s life.
Eliminating triggers and applying products that prevent skin irritation can help keep your baby’s sensitive skin healthy. It can also prevent discomfort caused by irritation. Here are some tips you can follow when it comes to caring for your baby’s sensitive skin:
1. Give your baby a massage
Using natural oils to massage your baby’s skin can help improve blood circulation and deeply nourish the skin. Choose a natural baby massage oil which is made without Mineral oil and artificial fragrances and has natural oils such as Organic Chamomile oil, Organic Avocado oil and Organic Jojoba oil which moisturize and soothe the skin. A good massage oil should also have Organic Sesame oil, Organic Wheatgerm oil and Organic Almond oil which strengthen bones and muscles. Get the benefits of these 10 natural oils in The Moms Co.’s Natural Massage Oil.
2. Clean your baby’s skin
Dust and dirt coupled with sweat can irritate your baby’s skin and cause irritation. While its important to maintain cleanliness inside the house and ensure the rooms where your baby spends most of their time are free from dust and dirt, it’s just as important to keep your baby’s skin clean. Choose a mild baby body wash that’s made with Sulphates as they are known to irritate the skin and can strip the skin of moisture. Instead, choose a baby wash with mild Coconut-based cleansers that gently clean and natural oils like Avocado oil, Organic Chamomile oil along with Organic Aloe Vera gel which gently clean and nourish the skin.
For your baby’s hair and scalp, use a gentle, tear-free baby shampoo that doesn’t have harsh ingredients such as Sulphates and artificial fragrances. Choose The Moms Co.’s Natural Baby Shampoo that has gentle Coconut-based cleansers along with Organic Argan and Moringa Seed oils that moisturize the scalp and strengthen hair.
3. Moisturize your baby’s skin
One of the best ways to keep your baby’s skin soft and protected is to moisturize it regularly. Use a natural baby lotion immediately after bath to lock in moisture and ensure your baby’s skin doesn’t become dry. Look for natural ingredients such as Shea butter, Cocoa butter and natural oils such as Organic Apricot and Organic Jojoba oils to keep your baby’s skin nourished and moisturized. Look out for ingredients such as artificial fragrances, mineral oil and other harmful chemicals as these can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.
4. Care for your baby’s diaper area
Your baby’s diaper area gets exposed to moisture frequently and doesn’t get a lot of air time. This makes it more prone to rashes and irritation. Keeping your little one’s bottom as dry as possible and using a baby rash cream with ingredients such as Zinc Oxide can help prevent irritation and rashes. Apart from Zinc Oxide, look for ingredients such as Organic Chamomile oil and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein which repair the skin and help it retain moisture. Try The Moms Co.’s Natural Diaper Rash Cream which has these ingredients and helps prevent and soothe rashes.
5. Keep your baby’s bath short
Bath time presents a number of triggers that can cause discomfort and irritation to your baby’s skin. Factors such as the temperature of water, the number of times you bathe your baby, the kinds of baby wash you use and how you use the towel to dry your baby – all can influence your baby’s skin health.
Always check the temperature of the water before you bathe your baby. It’s best to use lukewarm water for bathing instead of hot water which can strip the skin of moisture. Use baby safe skincare products, including a baby wash that is made without Sulphates, artificial fragrances and harmful chemicals as these can irritate the skin. Instead, choose a hypoallergenic, mild baby wash that has Coconut-based cleansers. Once you are done bathing your baby, use a soft towel to gently pat your baby’s skin dry. Avoid rubbing your baby’s skin as it can create friction and cause discomfort.
6. Use soft, breathable fabrics
Some of the most common triggers for discomfort and itching are the fabrics that your baby is exposed to in the form of clothing, bedding and blankets. Choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton which don’t irritate the skin. Cotton is also a good choice for bedding as it is easy to clean and won’t make your baby feel hot while they are sleeping. Use mild detergents that are made without artificial fragrances to reduce any occurrence of skin irritation.
7. Reduce your baby’s exposure to the sun
Protect your baby’s sensitive skin from the harsh sun rays by applying a mineral-based sunscreen. However, you should use a mineral-based sunscreen only if your baby is 6 months old and above. If your baby is younger than 6 months then you can reduce their exposure by dressing them in long-sleeved cotton clothes, long pants and dresses and a wide-brimmed hat. You can also use an umbrella or sunshades on the windows of the car.
Your baby’s skin is far more delicate and thinner and as compared to yours. As such, your baby’s skin is prone to dryness and sensitivity. As such, it’s important to ensure that your baby’s skin has an optimum skin ph level of 5.5. When your baby’s skin is at optimum ph level, it can perform a number of functions such as preventing it from drying out, combating germs and maintaining skin’s resilience. However, even a slight change in the ph levels can make the skin sensitive and prone to irritation.
Choose baby skincare products by The Moms Co. for your baby. Made with the safest natural ingredients, their baby care products are hypoallergenic, dermatologically-tested and Australia Certified toxin-free so that your baby gets nothing but the best from day 1!