Entering parenthood is the best feeling. Seeing your little one smiling around you is a feeling of joy. All your sorrows and tensions get eliminated when you look at your toddler. However, no doubt, being a new parent comes with many responsibilities, and taking care of them can be a bit stressful.
First-time parents are unaware of many facts about newborn babies, such as feeding habits, what crying sound reflects, how to find what issue they are encountering, and most importantly, what about their skin care. A newborn baby’s skin is quite delicate, and carelessness can easily result in damaging their skin and causing rashes.
As a result, new parents often ask what they should and should not do, how skincare should be applied, what they need to take care of, and so on. Relax!! Enjoy your parenthood without encountering such issues with this guide.
There are certain things a parent should know about a baby’s skin that they need to take care of. So let’s dump into it.
Things to know about cleaning the baby gently
As first-time parents, often the most common mistake that parents make is making their little ones wash every time they spill someone.
But don’t do this thing until your child turns 1. Frequent baths can make their skin more sensitive. Usually, giving babies a bath twice or thrice a week is more than sufficient. However, when you bath a baby, there is a certain thing that you should keep in mind-
- The temperature of the water should be normal, and it should neither be too cold nor too hot. You can even check the temperature through the thermometer to get approximate.
- As said, the skin of a newborn is quite delicate. So make sure you clean by using plain water and not any soap.
- Moreover, if you want to use soap, make sure it doesn’t contain dyes or perfume.
- Clear the baby’s scalp using a soft brush and a little bit amount of soap-free cleanser.
Take care of the umbilical cord
Even after cutting down the umbilical cord, you will still notice some of the parts attached to the baby’s belly button. This small part of the umbilical cord dries out by a certain time and falls off.
As per medical science, the umbilical cord takes 1 to 3 weeks to dry off and fall. Until then, it is important to keep the area around the umbilical cord dry. Avoid using bathtubs which can wet the whole body of the baby.
Instead of that, use a sponge or wipes. Moreover, the new parents should follow every instruction the doctors give to take care of the umbilical cord.
However, there are several symptoms that you might witness near the umbilical cord, which is an indicator that you do not have to worry about anything now.
- The pus coming from the umbilical cord
- Bleeding near the end of the skin
- Pain near the belly button
- Redness and swelling of the area
Opt for simple products
You do not need thousands of products to care for your baby; the minimum is better. Several conditions can affect your baby’s skin, including dry patches, but these will typically clear out without using lotions and creams.
However, if you want products, then follow the advice from your baby’s doctor. But there are certain things that you should avoid in baby’s skincare-
- Paraben
- Chemicals
- Dyes
- Perfumes
However, there are certain must-have products that you should have in your hands.
- Baby shampoo and mild soaps for gentle cleaning.
- Baby wipes
- Diaper creams
- Vaseline
Rashes are subject to happen
Your newborn is not just sensitive to products but also the environment. As the skin is quite delicate, it can be affected in no time. However, some common rashes or patches your baby might deal with are listed below. These rashes don’t require any treatment-
- Baby acne
- Contact dermatitis
- Cradle cap
- Pinkish bluish skin
- Diaper rash
- Eczema
- Heat rash
- Whiteheads
- Flat marks
- Skin peeling
These rashes go away as the babies start developing, but if the rash doesn’t go out, then there are chances that your baby is uncomfortable and has a 100-degree Fahrenheit temperature. In that situation, it is better to consult a doctor.
Don’t be afraid to take the help
You are not the only parent who has to deal with any such issue, as there are many more in the same race. That’s why, if the baby encounters any issue, whether of the skin or not, you should consult the doctor as soon as possible. In this way, the baby’s skin will reduce the symptoms and help you determine the root cause of the problem.
