Winter’s here and the cold temperatures tend to leave babies and toddlers with dry, chapped skin. This can be frustrating for parents, especially if your baby has sensitive skin. Here are seven skin care tips for babies, to help you this winter.
1. Bath Time: Less Is More
I’ve read a good number of articles recommending that newborns need not bathe every day. About three or four times a week. The rest of the time a wipe up is sufficient.
If you feel strongly about bathing your baby daily, limit it to once a day and keep bath time as short as possible. This will ensure the baby is not exposed to the cold for too long. Water will also strip the skin of its natural moisture, the shorter the exposure time the better.
2. Baby Oils In Water Bath
Where possible, a few drops of baby oil added to bathing water will help keep the baby’s skin moisturized and minimize the drying effect of bath time.
3. Use Gentle Products
Babies naturally smell good.
Avoid scented soaps and bubble baths with chemical additives. Apply moisturizers to baby skin immediately after the bath, while the skin is slightly damp to seal the moisture in. Babies with very dry skin will benefit from using creams, instead of lotion, during this time of the year. As they provide a heavier barrier to keep the skin hydrated.
Good old Vaseline is always a winner.
4. Warm Clothes
The first instinct is to use many layers on a baby to keep warm. Although this is ok, be careful not to put too many layers that may lead to sweating which will irritate the skin.
The most common material for winter clothes is polyester (polar fleece) and wool. Try to use cotton clothes under them as much as possible as the material is breathable.
5. Use A Humidifier
Air can be very dry indoors, particularly in the night. A humidifier will help increase the air’s moisture content which will in turn minimize dry skin. Humidifiers are also great replacement for heaters.
6. Hydrate
Drinking water is great for winter too. Keep babies hydrated by giving them lukewarm water.
7. Moisturise Often
Finally because COVID-19 has us sanitising, washing and wiping hands often, keep a hand cream on sight for those little hands.
I hope that these skin care tips for babies help you this winter. If you have more tips and tricks up your sleeve, leave us a comment below.
My interests are waste management and environmental protection. I graduated from the University of Reading with a degree in Meteorology and Climate and I am currently studying Environmental Law.
