Baby skin care

Your baby’s skin is a fragile, delicate thing which even though it looks perfect, is prone to blotches, spots and rashes. You cannot prevent your baby from getting every type of skin rash but it can help to adopt a good skin care routine. This is will help to maintain the health of your baby’s skin as well preventing some of the rashes mentioned in this guide.

If you’re a new mum then it can be scary, having responsibility for this little person who is dependent upon you for his/her every need. But your baby’s hygiene can be easily maintained if you have everything to hand and follow a routine.

Ok, so where do you start?

Washing your baby

Washing your baby is an important part of this routine. Even though it doesn’t need to be done on a daily basis, you will probably find that your baby enjoys it and it is a good way to bond with him/her.

Wash your baby on alternate days but if he/she has an accident then bathe him/her in full.

Using a basin of warm water, give your baby a ‘top and tail’wash (includes the face, hands, belly button, groin and any skin folds). Start with your baby’s face before moving onto other areas of the body.

Cotton wool balls are ideal for this purpose or a soft cloth. When washing your baby’s hands, make sure you wipe in between the fingers as saliva and milk often builds up in these areas.

Milk and saliva can build up in other areas of the body such as under the chin, or the arms or basically, in any fold or crease of skin. Wipe away any of these deposits and dry off thoroughly. It is particularly important to keep the belly button clean as this has been the site of the umbilical cord. Wipe over this but do not put any unnecessary pressure on the stump of the cord. This bit of umbilical cord will fall off when ready to do so.

Finish off by wiping around the groin. It is important to keep this area clean as well as reducing the risk of nappy rash. Incorporate this as part of this routine even though you will be doing this each time you change your baby’s nappy.

Drying your baby

This is just as important. Ensuring that your baby is thoroughly dried off will prevent him/her from getting cold (and catching a chill) as well as preventing any sores from developing on the skin. Pat your baby dry rather than vigorously rubbing him/her and apply baby talcum powder if desirable. Talcum powder is not an essential item but it can help prevent moisture from getting into skin folds or creases. This will also stop the build of sores and reduce the risk of an infection.

Do NOT use talcum powder on broken skin or if your baby has nappy rash as it can make these worse. There will come a time when your baby is old enough to have a bath without mum’s help so make most of this time together.