Caring for Your Baby's Skin
Baby soft: Caring for your newborn’s skin
First of all, congratulations! It’s been a while since my children were that little, but I still think there are few things nicer in life than snuggling a newborn. They have such delicate skin, so it needs to be treated gently. In my world, that means no harsh chemicals, just lots of gorgeous, nourishing products. (And plenty of kisses.)
Keeping your baby’s skin healthy
Your baby’s skin is super sensitive. It’s best to stick to a non-bio laundry detergent so you don’t irritate it. You might want to go for a gentler, more natural one, like those by Earth Friendly Products, or Bio-D. Try to choose clothes made from natural fibres that will allow your baby’s skin to breathe. Pure cotton and bamboo are good choices. Some of the fleecy or velour outfits look extremely cute, but they’re often made from polyester, so do check the labels.
Bathing your baby
In the first few weeks, your baby won’t need washing in anything other than water. Bubble bath might be fun, but it’s not really necessary. If your newborn does need a really good wash (thanks to an explosive nappy for instance), look for natural, gentle products that don’t contain irritants such as sodium lauryl sulphate. Alternatively, coconut oil is a surprisingly effective cleanser. It also has the added advantage of moisturising your baby at the same time. And, of course, it smells delicious! It can make your baby a bit slippery though, so do take extra care.
Moisturising your newborn’s skin
There are few things softer than a newborn’s skin. Gentle, natural creams and oils, like cocoa butter, shea butter and oat oil can help to keep it that way. Try moisturising your baby in a warm room, straight after their bath. It’ll help to lock moisture into their skin, and get them good and sleepy!
Baby massage
I’m a big fan of baby massage. I massaged all of my children, as well as my granddaughter. Massage isn’t just beneficial for your baby’s skin – it can help to relax and soothe them, and get rid of any trapped wind. It’s also great for bonding, and can be a lovely role for dad to take on. To get you started, I’ve written a step-by-step guide to baby massage, which you can read here.
Treating any skin conditions
Dry patches, eczema and other complaints are quite common in young children. Try to think whether there’s anything that could be triggering the problem. Do you need to switch to a gentler laundry detergent or baby wash for instance?
It’s really important to keep your baby’s skin clean and moisturised. Water can actually have a drying effect though, so you might find it best to only bath your baby every few days. Try tying a handful of oats in the toe of an old pair of tights and dropping it in the bath. It can work wonders on itchy skin conditions.
The Baby Massage Balm is very healing, and can help with eczema, psoriasis and other skin complaints. I also make a Baby Massage Oil. Both are packed with nourishing natural ingredients, and are gentle enough to use on even a newborn’s sensitive skin.
