Skincare for Baby

The delicate, soft skin of a baby is so beautiful. Yet, a cranky baby with irritated skin by diaper rash, cradle cap, or another skin condition can be a nightmare for baby and parent alike. Many babies are prone to skin irritations and conditions in the first few months after birth. What is a parent to do? The good news is that many of these conditions cause no harm and go away on their own. All a parent needs to know is which condition can be treated at home, which needs medical treatment, and how can you prevent any skin condition. Here are a few tips: If a baby has red skin around the diaper area, it is probably a diaper rash. Diapers that are too tight, wet, or left on for too long cause diaper rash. But brand of detergent, diapers, or baby wipes can cause diaper rash as well. Ways to avoid diaper rash include keeper the diaper area open to the air, changing the diaper more often, and applying a cream. Jurlique Baby’s Soothing Barrier Cream is a great choice because it is infused with calendula and aloe vera. These ingredients will soothe and protect baby’s most delicate areas. Baby acne is not really acne, not like the type teenagers get. Recent studies relate it to yeast not oil production. Do not pick on baby’s skin if you notice this condition. It will go away on its own. No treatment is necessary. Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis is another skin condition that babies are afflicted with often. Eczema is an itchy, red rash. Over time it becomes thick, dry, and scaly. It may be seen on elbows, chest, arms, or behind the knees. To treat these conditions, you must identify and avoid any triggers. Use gentle soaps and detergents and apply moderate amounts of moisturizers. Stiefel Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion will help alleviate the itch-scratch cycle that often makes eczema and atopic dermatitis worse. In addition, a product like La Roche Posay Lipikar Lipid Replenishing Body Milk will help to restore moisture, provide relief, and help with itch. You probably shouldn’t worry if your newborn has peeling, dry skin — it often happens if your baby is born a little late. The underlying skin is perfectly healthy, soft, and moist. If your infant’s dry skin persists, talk to your baby’s pediatrician. Cradle cap can show up during baby’s first or second month, and usually clears up within the first year. Also called seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap is caused in part by excess oil and shows up as a scaly, waxy, red rash on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, the sides of the nose, or behind the ears. Your pediatrician will recommend the best treatment for cradle cap. Prickly heat is another common skin irritation. Prickly heat appears on the parts of a baby’s body that is prone to sweat. Plenty of parents, including yours truly, over dress and over heat baby’s thinking we are helping them. In fact, we are over heating their little bodies. Dress baby in layers that can be removed when things heat up. The sun may feel great, but it could be exposing your baby’s skin to the risk of damaging sunburn. Baby sunscreen is imperative. Coola Mineral Baby Organic SPF 50 is a great choice. It is 100% natural environmental shield that is full spectrum and it is 70%+ certified organic with zero chemicals or preservatives. Paraben free and preservative free this lotion is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes. You can avoid baby skin problems at bath time. Due to baby’s skin being soft and sensitive, bath time should only be for 3-5 minutes. Avoid letting your baby sit or play or soak for long in soapy water.  Follow bath with a baby lotion or moisturizer like Jurlique Baby’s Soothing Moisturizing Cream. Naturally formulated with no harsh chemicals or preservatives, this lotion will help retain moisture in baby’s delicate skin. Mustela Bebe Bathtime Bubbles Set has all you need to make baby bath time fun, efficient, easy, and convenient. Their products are also free of parabens, phthalates, phenoxyethanol. Most baby skin rashes and problems aren’t serious but, for parents, it could be worrisome. It is important to keep close attention and to watch for any signs of infection such as small, re-purplish dots, yellow fluid-filled bumps, or if baby has a fever or lethargy. Any of these signs, take baby to the pediatrician. Also, when in doubt, contact your pediatrician. You can find the products mentioned on SkinStore.com. (Source WebMD, by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD)