Knowing the care of the newborn’s skin is decisive for all parents. Although the skin barrier of healthy babies is competent, its function continues to develop for at least the first year of life.
Consequently, the susceptibility to dryness and irritation by external factors is higher than at other ages. Thus, too much heat or cold can trigger allergic reactions. Even certain products can become aggressive. So what should you watch out for?
Newborn skin care
First, it is critical that baby cleansers and moisturizers are well tolerated and do not disturb the stratum corneum. After birth, the skin is sensitive and exposed to factors that can cause the skin barrier to break down. This includes the following:
Saliva.
Nasal secretions.
The urine.
Stool (including fecal enzymes).
The dirt.
Due to daily exposure to these factors, it is essential to ensure optimal skin cleansing and adequate protection of the baby’s skin barrier. To do this, it is convenient to put into practice the recommendations that we mention below.
Skin hygiene
Hygiene of the newborn’s skin should begin when the body temperature is already stabilized. At birth, the pH of the skin is neutral; later, it becomes acidic.
The use of alkaline soaps causes a temporary increase in pH and predisposes to infections and irritations. For this reason, neutral or low acid and non-perfumed soaps are recommended, in minimal doses.
During the first two weeks it should only be cleaned gently with warm water. Excessive temperature, the abundant use of soaps, the duration or frequency of baths, among others, contribute to dry skin (irritant dermatitis), according to studies by Pediatric Dermatology.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy