How to nurture your newborn’s skin with care
Infant skin is very delicate in the first stages of life. Here are some care practices to adopt to help protect your newborn’s skin barrier.
Welcoming a new baby into the world is a time of huge joy and you want to make sure your newborn receives the best care possible.
One crucial aspect of this is taking care of their delicate skin.
A baby’s skin is sensitive and requires a little special attention to keep clean, moisturised and irritation free.
As a new or soon-to-be parent, researching skin-friendly products for your baby can feel a little overwhelming.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why a baby’s skin is so sensitive
Did you know your newborn’s skin is still developing in the first few months of life?
Which is why it is thinner, more fragile and more sensitive.
Infant skin is also less resistant to bacteria, irritants and allergens that can penetrate it and cause irritation.
Best ways to care for your baby’s skin
Gentle cleansing
Bathing your baby is an excellent opportunity for not only maintaining hygiene but also bonding with bub.
However, the Royal Children’s Hospital says it’s essential to use a mild, baby-specific cleanser that’s free from harsh chemicals and fragrances to gently refresh your baby’s skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
Moisturising
Infant skin is prone to dryness.
To help manage this, the Royal Children’s Hospital recommends after bathing, gently pat your baby’s skin dry and apply a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free baby lotion or moisturiser.
Preventing nappy rash
Keep a close eye on your infant’s nappies to prevent nappy rash and to maintain skin health.
Change nappies promptly when wet or soiled and use fragrance-free and alcohol-free baby wipes for gently cleaning.
A nappy cream with zinc oxide can act as a protective barrier against irritants.
Washing your infant’s clothes
What you wash your baby’s clothes in can also affect their skin.
The Royal Children’s Hospital recommends using baby-safe laundry detergents that are specially formulated for delicate skin and free from fragrances as well as harsh additives and chemicals to minimise the risk of skin irritants and rashes.
Choosing the right products for your baby’s skin health
One of the most important things is understanding what ingredients are in the products that you put onto your baby’s skin.
The ecostore baby range, including shampoo, body wash, bubble bath, soap and nappy balm, are made from natural ingredients such as hydrating harakeke (New Zealand’s aloe vera), relaxing lavender essential oil and soothing organic chamomile.
It’s also dermatologically certified for sensitive skin and free from nasty chemicals, parabens, synthetic dyes and anything that could irritate young skin.
Ecostore’s Ultra Sensitive laundry products are made from plant and mineral-based formulations that are effective on dirt and stains and fragrance free with no harmful chemicals and are approved by Sensitive Choice, to be suitable for those with sensitive skin and allergies.
Ecostore baby and laundry products are safe and gentle on baby’s skin as well as on the planet.
By providing the love and care your baby deserves, you can set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy skin.
* This post is brought to you by ecostore.
