After the initial excitement of welcoming your newborn to the family, the full-time job of taking care of a baby begins. Besides keeping your newborn nourished and warm, it’s also very important to protect his or her very delicate skin.

Here are some useful tips to know:

1. Babies are born with a protective skin layer called vernix, which naturally peels off within the first week. Sometimes when a baby is over due, this process could have taken place in the womb. There is no need to rub it off to hasten the process or apply moisturizer thinking the peeling is a sign of your baby’s skin drying out.

2. Before the umbilical cord stump fully heals, stick to sponge baths when cleaning your baby. Washing your newborn too frequently may cause skin dryness and aggravate eczema.There aren’t many ways for a newborn to get very dirty, except for drool and diaper changes, bathe your baby twice a week should be enough to keep your baby clean.

3. Always use scent-free products to clean and care for your baby’s delicate skin.

4. You should also wash new clothes thoroughly before putting them on your baby. Use scent-free, dye-free detergent and wash them separately from other laundry loads. Don’t use fabric softeners as it may irritate the very sensitive baby skin.

5. Try to avoid strong direct sunlight on your baby in the first 6 months. When choosing sunscreens, use high SPF broad spectrum product. You should avoid using chemical sunscreen on your baby, as they contain hormone disruptor chemicals that are especially harmful to baby and children. Instead, choose the safe option of physical sunblocks. Our lovely Sunblocz is a zinc oxide based physical sunblock that is 100% natural and safe to use on your baby. It contains beneficial skincare ingredients and protects your baby from harmful UV rays the moment you put it on.

6. Whether you use disposable or cloth diapers, check them frequently to avoid irritation caused by wetness. Use a clean cloth instead of baby wipes to clean your baby, since baby wipes often contain alcohol and perfume that may further irritate or dry out baby skin. Gently pat dry and wait for the diaper area to fully air-dry before putting on a fresh diaper. It is normal to encounter diaper rash a few times during your baby’s diaper years. As a preventative measure, apply a layer of Baby Butz on your baby’s bum after cleaning. The thick zinc oxide cream acts like a barrier against moisture that builds up inside a diaper and speeds up the healing process of damaged skin.

Read More

Parents.com, “How to Care for Baby Skin”, available at <http://www.parents.com/baby/care/skin/how-to-care-for-baby-skin/>, accessed on Feb 23 2017

WebMD, “Bathing & Soothing Your Baby’s Skin”, available at <http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-skin-10/skin-care-tips>, accessed on Feb 23 2017

Parenting.com,  “5 Tips for Baby’s Skin”, available at <http://www.parenting.com/article/baby-skin-tips>, accessed on Feb 23 2017