Sensitive baby skin can be a nuisance for both you and your baby. You may worry that the problem will go away, but there are ways to ease the discomfort while working to identify the cause. Avoid using scented products, petroleum-based products, and harsh detergents on baby’s skin. By following these tips, you will make your baby’s skin smoother and more comfortable.
Keep Baby’s Skin Clean
It’s very important to keep your baby’s skin clean, especially during the first few months. Keeping the skin clean can prevent infections and other skin problems. The first step to keeping your baby’s skin clean is to avoid the use of harsh chemicals. You should only use natural and gentle baby soaps. Another simple way to keep your baby’s skin clean is to use a paste of gram flour on the skin. This paste will help remove dirt and oil. Also, you can offer your baby fruits, which are full of fibre and other essential nutrients.
Your baby’s skin is extremely delicate and needs extra moisturizer and protection. You should apply moisturizers to the baby’s skin every day, especially after bath time. Moisturizers not only add moisture to the skin but also help prevent skin from drying out and becoming dull. You can also wash the baby’s skin daily to prevent it from peeling.
Bathing your baby at least once a week is sufficient. However, frequent baths can strip your baby’s skin of the natural oils and moisture. Instead of using harsh soaps, try using a fragrance-free baby lotion. This will keep the baby’s delicate skin moist and strengthen the protective skin barrier. Alternatively, you can use natural oils such as coconut oil or shea butter to protect your baby’s sensitive skin.
Avoid Scented Products
Scented products contain fragrance chemicals that can irritate baby’s sensitive skin and respiratory system. These ingredients may be harmless in small amounts but can lead to serious health problems over time. In addition, these products may contain phthalates, which are synthetic chemicals that are added to plastics to make them more flexible. While phthalates do not cause any immediate problems, they can have a long-term impact on your baby’s health.
The first step to protecting your baby’s skin is to avoid any scented products. These can cause a variety of problems, including allergies. Fragrances can irritate baby skin and can make the symptoms of eczema worse. When purchasing a scented product for your baby, look for a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, or unscented alternative. If your baby is sensitive to perfumes, consider using a natural alternative such as bath oils.
Fragrances are another common problem with scented products, including perfume. Even natural essential oils can have adverse effects on a baby’s skin, resulting in rashes and other problems. Fragrances also contain synthetic dyes, which can cause behavioral issues in children. Babies often put everything in their mouths, so any scented lotion that contains artificial dyes is likely to end up in their stomachs.
Avoid Petroleum-Based Products
If you are a new parent, the best way to protect your child from harmful toxins is to avoid using petroleum-based products on your baby’s skin. These products contain ingredients that can cause cancer and disrupt hormones. For example, mineral oil, which is commonly used in baby products, contains contaminants and can clog pores and cause acne and blackheads. It also inhibits the skin’s ability to breathe.
Another common ingredient in baby products is petrolatum. Petrolatum is derived from crude oil. It can clog pores, reduce skin function, and impair cell development. It can also cause respiratory problems and may increase the risk of developing some types of cancer. Parabens are also petroleum-based and may cause reproductive and organ problems.
Petroleum jelly may cause allergic reactions in some children. Some parents apply it on their babies’ noses or below them, which can lead to a reaction. It is generally safe to use on older children and adults, but babies shouldn’t have it on their skin. It may also be dangerous for the environment.
Avoid Harsh Detergents
It is important to choose gentle laundry detergents for your baby’s skin. You should also avoid bleach, which is known to cause burning when applied directly to baby’s skin. It can also cause breathing problems. Rather than using bleach, consider spot treating stains instead. The best way to select the best detergent for your baby is to read the ingredient list on the container.
You can also opt for fragrance-free detergents that are safe for sensitive skin. Avoid detergents that contain methylisothiazolinone, which is one of the most common contact allergens in personal care products. Moreover, make sure that the detergent you choose has no fabric softeners or anti-static agents, which can also be irritating to your baby’s skin.
If you must use detergents for your baby’s clothes, choose those with natural ingredients. They contain less harmful ingredients than commercial ones. Also, you can use liquid detergents rather than powder detergents. Powdered detergents are more abrasive and can leave residue on fabrics even after a cold wash cycle.
Avoid Artificially Coloured Products
Using artificially coloured products for your baby’s skin is not a good idea. Not only are they irritating, but they can also cause blocked pores and breakouts. Not to mention the potential toxicity of some of the ingredients. Some of these colours contain coal tar, petroleum and heavy metal salts, which can be extremely harmful to your baby’s delicate skin.
In order to avoid putting synthetic colourants on your baby’s skin, check the list of ingredients on the back of the label. The chemicals that manufacturers use in these products are known to cause allergic reactions and even be carcinogenic. You can identify the type of colourant you are buying by looking at the Colour Index (CI) Number, which is a unique number assigned to each dye. Naturally-derived colours will have a higher CI number than artificial colours.
Some products also contain added fragrances that may irritate the skin of your baby. Even “natural” essential oils can be harsh on a baby’s skin. Moreover, artificially-coloured products are more likely to cause dryness and itchiness. Furthermore, some of these products also contain parabens, which are common ingredients in skin care products. Parabens are known to cause irritation and are easily absorbed by the skin.
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Avoid Excessive Bathing
Research shows that excessive bathing can lead to dry, sensitive skin in infants. Daily bathing can remove essential oils, which can cause dry skin and eczema. More frequent bathing is also associated with higher water loss. Fortunately, there are other ways to bathe your baby without causing dry, cracked skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends bathing newborns and toddlers two to three times a week and to use a moisturizer afterward. Older children can be bathed as frequently as once a day, but the frequency should be based on their activity level and skin concerns. For example, Sweta Doshi bathes her children at least once every other day during the winter and almost daily during the summer.
Babies learn best by following routines. When you are bathing your child, talk to him or her to help them understand. A bath requires you to lean over the baby. To make bathing more comfortable, use a basin or small baby bath. Once the baby is old enough, you can move to a larger, deeper bath.
Bathing your newborn too often will weaken the skin barrier and cause dryness. Try to keep bathing sessions brief and no longer than 10 minutes. Wash the baby’s clothes using a chemical-free detergent. It’s also important to keep the temperature of the water lukewarm.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Avoiding harsh chemicals is essential for your baby’s health. Studies have shown that a number of ingredients found in baby products can cause irritation and allergy. Some of these ingredients can even cause cancer. Many of the common ingredients used in baby products include phthalates and parabens. If you’re not sure if an ingredient is harmful, read the ingredients label to find out.
Alcohols should also be avoided in skin care products for babies. Specifically, avoid formulas that contain propylene glycol, an endocrine disruptor and a skin irritant. Fortunately, many soap makers are removing this ingredient from their formulations due to growing consumer pressure. Another chemical to avoid is cocamidopropyl betaine, a foaming agent that is linked to eye irritation and contact dermatitis.
Another Place of Knowledge a chemical to avoid in skin care products is triclosan. This ingredient is commonly found in antibacterial products, but it strips your baby’s delicate skin of the important bacteria it needs to maintain its health. It will also lower your child’s immune system and make them more susceptible to allergies. Another ingredient to avoid is 1,4-dioxane, which is not listed on product labels. This chemical is a byproduct of ethylene oxide, a carcinogen. Manufacturers often add it to products to temper other chemicals, including sodium laureth sulfate.