Characteristics
Babies' skin is five times thinner than adults', making it much more sensitive and delicate. Babies' skin doesn't yet have a protective acid mantle. The acid mantle is a "jacket" that protects against dehydration, irritation, and infection. The stratum corneum, part of the epidermis, hasn't matured yet either. The stratum corneum protects against bacteria. Therefore, babies' skin dries more quickly and is more sensitive to UV rays, as they have less pigmentation than adults.
Careful
- Bathe your baby a maximum of two or three times a week, no more often. Use lukewarm water.
- Use a mild soap .
- It's best to dry your baby with a cotton diaper after washing. It absorbs more moisture than a regular towel.
- Pay special attention to drying the skin folds.
- Use a gentle body cream to lubricate the baby after bathing.
Common skin problems
- Hormonal spots (baby acne) : These appear as red, blister-like spots. Hormonal spots are mainly found in the skin folds in the diaper area.
- Milk spots : These look like blisters and are located on the face, head, or neck. These spots usually appear three to five weeks after birth and disappear naturally.
- Dry skin : This manifests as red, rough skin. Lubricate dry skin with a gentle body cream .
- Cradle cap: Loose, oily crusts on the scalp. You can rub your scalp with olive oil to moisturize and reduce the crusts.
- Diaper rash: The skin is cracked, red, and sore, and may become chapped. Bacteria found in feces can aggravate diaper rash. Diaper rash occurs because the skin comes into contact with urine, so try to keep the legs as dry and clean as possible. Change the diaper regularly. Change your baby more often if they have diarrhea. We recommend washing the legs daily with warm water and applying aloe vera gel or a mild body cream . Do this also if the skin is red and irritated. Leave your baby without a diaper for a while from time to time.
- Winter cold : If it's cold and unpleasant outside, you can rub avocado cream on your baby's skin before going outside. This will prevent dehydration.
- Summer sun : Baby's skin is very sensitive to the sun. Use sunscreen with a high protection factor. Avoid direct sunlight and wear a sun hat.
