Everyone loves the feeling of a soft baby skin. But with the colder temperature during autumn and winter, your baby may develop a dry skin faster. In most cases, a dry skin is harmless, but sometimes a baby’s skin can start to itch and flake, and in the severe cases it can even develop eczema. That’s why it is important to keep your baby's skin adequately moisturized at all times.
Why do babies suffer from a dry skin faster?
A newborn baby's skin is not yet fully developed and is up to five times thinner than an adult skin. Due to the fact that the outer skin layer is still so thin, the skin is sensitive and does not provide proper protection. In addition, a baby cannot yet produce enough sebum to keep the skin sufficiently moisturized. This makes the skin more sensitive to water, but also to cold wind and violent temperature changes. Especially in the colder months, these elements make it easy for a baby to get a dry sensitive skin.
How do I avoid a dry skin?
Here are some practical tips to protect and moisturize your newborn’s dry skin.
1️⃣ Limit bath time to three times a week. Soap and water can damage the oily protective layer of baby's delicate skin, which is very important for its protection. If you still prefer to bathe your baby on a daily base, make sure to use the soap-free Oh, Baby! Body Wash and our organic bath oil (see tip 3).
2️⃣ Use lukewarm water. Too hot water will make your baby's skin dry out faster. By the way, this also applies to adults!
3️⃣ Always use an oil to soften the bath water. The Oh, Baby! Bath Oil is a rich formula based on organic sunflower oil and therefore the perfect hydrating bath oil for sensitive skin. The sunflower oil coats the skin, preventing moisture from being withdrawn from the skin during bathing. This way, dehydration of the skin is avoided. The Oh Baby! Bath Oil can also perfectly be used as a hydrating shower oil. The baby bath oil will not foam, but it will cleanse the skin and give it an extra hydration. After your baby’s bath, you will feel a very soft and moisturized layer on your baby’s skin.
4️⃣ Pat your baby dry with a soft towel. Avoid scrubbing as this may affect your baby's delicate skin. Also pay special attention to the folds of the skin when patting in order to make sure they do not remain damp.
5️⃣ Rub your baby with a baby moisturiser. The Oh, Baby! Body Milk is an organic baby lotion that restores & strengthens the natural protective layer of your baby’s skin. Our organic body lotion contains squalene, which is a plant-based ingredient that prolongs hydration. In the following video, we show you how to easily apply the baby lotion with an old make-up brush!
6️⃣ Dress your baby warm enough to protect him/her from the cold weather. If necessary, apply the Oh, Baby! Body Milk before you go out. This way, the organic body lotion gives your baby's skin an extra layer of protection from the cold weather.
Is your baby still suffering from extreme dryness or even eczema? Then we highly recommend to consult a pediatrician, a general practitioner or a dermatologist. They can personally guide you in treating your newborn’s dry skin.
