Baby Skin Care

 Baby's skin is very delicate and needs to be given extra care.

Baby Skin Problems:

Skin infection or rashes due to water, Excess water causes skin problems. Water remaining on baby's neck, underarms, thighs, between fingers, toes, behind ears etc can cause infection or rash. 

Cradle cap is a condition in which the baby scalp becomes scaly and waxy. All the newborn babies get cradle cap. It also appears on eyes, behind ears, eyelids and side of the nose. It is caused due to excess oil. Cradle cap is not itchy. Wash your baby scalp regularly with a mild shampoo. 

Diaper Rashes are Red, sore and tender rashes on the diaper area. It is caused due to wet diaper for long time and tight diaper.

Baby pimples and whiteheads are very different from teenager pimples. These are related to yeast and not oil. Infants get these pimples more often.

Jaundice is a yellow colouration of a baby's skin and eyes. It usually shows 2 or 3 days after birth and is more common in premature babies. It's caused by too much bilirubin. The condition usually disappears by the time a baby is 1-2 weeks old. 

Dry skin can be itchy. Baby skin is very delicate so becomes dry easily as temperature increases or decreases.

Darkening of skin at pressure points (knees and elbows) due to much pressure as infants crawl. As the skin rubs on the surface and becomes dry. If neglected for long time it starts becoming dark. 

How to Treat baby skin problems at home?

Infection: Whenever you bath your baby wipe off water properly(pat dry instead of rubbing). Apply moisturizer immediately after the bath, this will avoid causing rashes and infection due to water.

Cradle Cap: Wash baby scalp regularly with a mild shampoo. Pat dry. After a week or month, it goes away. If it persists or is severe then talk to your doctor.

Note: Do not scratch the scalp.

Diaper Rash: Keep Diaper area open for some time. Change wet diapers immediately. Clean the area with wipes(Sebamed wet wipes) and pat dry after each diaper change. Apply Sebamed or  Himalaya Diaper Rash cream(I prefer Sebamed as it suits my baby skin). If rashes are severe talk to your doctor and avoid using a diaper.

Baby Pimples or whiteheads: These need no treatment. It will go on their own. Do not apply any cream or lotion for acne and whiteheads. Instead, prevent them by cleaning the baby's face with a damp cloth after every feed.

Jaundice: Frequent feedings can treat jaundice at home only. Give baby early morning sunlight. If even after treating at home jaundice does not go or increases(baby looks yellow) then, talk to your doctor. If the case is severe, the doctor will suggest light therapy (phototherapy).

For Dry skin apply coconut oil or almond oil or any moisturizer. No matter which season it is, always apply moisturizer after bath and at bedtime. This will keep the baby skin pH balanced. If baby's lips are dry apply Ghee on lips.(avoid using lip balms until 1 year).

For Skin Darkening; apply Almond oil or any moisturizer to keep skin moisturized.

Prevention is always better than cure. So, take care of baby skin. Keep it clean and dry.