New moms may not quite understand how to take care of their little one’s skin. However, this is a very important task. It is important to keep your baby’s skin soft and lotion. This article will help you with taking care of your baby’s skin. Below are some tips you can follow to help take care of your baby’s skin.
First, take care of the umbilical cord because how you care for it now will have a great impact on his/her belly button later on. You have to clean the umbilical cord two times a day by swabbing alcohol on it. This will help the umbilical cord dry and fall off faster by exposing it to air and not covering it with the diaper. Q-tips will work great for swabbing.
Second, while the umbilical cord is still attached just do sponge baths on him/her. When his/her umbilical cord falls off, you may then bath him/her at most three times a week especially during the first couple of months in order to prevent the skin from drying. Keep him/her clean during non bath days by wiping his/her neck, hands, face and diaper area with a damp and warm washcloth.
Third, during bath time check the temperature of the water with the inside of your wrist, the tap water should be warm enough and pair it with a non drying baby soap to avoid skin drying. Your wrist will allow you to feel what the baby will feel once its tiny body is submerged in the water.
Fourth, if your baby’s skin is not unusually dry, avoid applying baby lotion and oil on his/her skin because this can cause rashes and clogging of the sweat glands. If in case your baby’s skin is scaly and dry, apply an ample amount of baby lotion right after bath to moisturize his/her skin. For baby powders, use a powder that is made from cornstarch because it is naturally made and is safe for the skin.
Fifth, when changing your baby’s diaper always use a baby wipe to clean the diaper area entirely. Use more baby wipes if your baby is having a bowel movement. If your baby is a girl, be careful not to wipe any feces on the genital area thus wiping the area from front to back. If your baby is a boy, make sure to clean the area under the scrotum.