Being parents for the first time is undoubted a hard work to do. Between the tiredness afterwards due to childbirth and breastfeeding and the joy of holding the newborn child in your arms, it happens to have some doubt about how to keep your baby pampered, nourished and in good health.
If you admire anewborn baby, you will be attracted by its smooth, soft skin, free of imperfections. It is also for this reason that many people tend to nuzzle their cheeks. However, precisely because it is so beautiful to look at and so delicate, it is crucial to reserve a lot of attention to the baby skincare.
Taking care of your newborn baby’s skin should be added to the daily to-do list: along with changing his nappy, bathing and breastfeeding him, taking care of his skin should become an established routine.
How to bathe and take care of your baby skin
A baby’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than that of an adult, and is therefore susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. In addition, it is possible that the baby’s soft skin tends to become more frequent irritated.
For those reasons, it is crucial to pay attention to certain factors. For example, not many parents know that the vernix, a kind of protective coating present during the first week of birth, must not be removed from the baby’s skin. There is no need to peel it off: to keep the baby clean, just give a sponge bath to him or her. After that, remember to apply an ointment, such as Bepanthen cream, with a specific formulation for the baby needs.
Another mistake often made by first-time parents is to bathe your baby too frequently. Spending a lot of time in the home, cuddled and wrapped in blankets, he or she is unlikely to get dirty. So, changing nappies and using a soft sponge is enough for the first weeks.
Then, you can bathe the baby using a small basin with lukewarm water (it is best to use a thermometer) to be placed in a warm room. The best time to bathe the baby is when he or she is relaxed or before bedtime to help him sleep. Obviously, you cannot leave the baby alone, so it is best to have everything you need at hand, even a soft towel to wrap the baby in after the bath.
It is crucial to never use perfumed or overly aggressive detergents that could cause annoying irritation. For the same reason, baby-friendly products must be chosen for the laundry, too.
Changing nappies and prevent rashes
Frequent nappy changes are important to avoid irritation and to prevent bacteria and germs from causing infections. During the first weeks of birth, the baby could have diarrhoea or poop more often, hence keep his or her bottom clean is the first thing to prevent nappy rash.
Wipes are practical and quick, especially when you are on the go. However, they must have a gentle formula and not contain perfumes or chemicals. After any nappy change, don’t forget to apply a cream, choosing a gentle formula with oil and vitamins to add a protective layer on the baby skin.
Nappy rash may affect your baby’s skin also if he or she has an allergy to the diaper. If you perform the right nappy changing and cleaning routine, and apply the cream regularly, but furuncles, pustules and irritations continue to appear on your baby’s skin, consider changing the brand of nappies. There are nappies 100% natural, or you can use cloth nappies.
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