Baby Skin Basics

I am so excited that I recently became a great Aunty! It’s also kind of weird as I don’t feel old enough to be a great aunty! After the safe arrival of said great nephew, it got me thinking about babies skin and the best way to look after it.

Newborns skin is put to the test and can become rashy & irritated quite easily.  I believe that we need to treat their skin with as little product as possible.  Most baby washes will have a surfactant (makes the product foam) of some kind in their ingredients.  The surfactants purpose is generally to remove excess oils from the skin. Babies skin is so perfect that this is not required at all!! Even rashy babies!!

How should I bath my baby??

Make sure the water is the right temperature. Not only does this help to relax the baby, it also prevents the skin from becoming dehydrated.

My favourite thing to do for my babies was to add herbs to their baths. I would take a muslin bag or an old stocking and add the herbs inside.  Then I would place it in the bath to infuse & even use it to wash over their skin.

If you feel you really want to use a wash add a tiny amount to the bath water & not directly onto baby’s skin.

Use a soft wash cloth to gently wipe over babies skin to remove anything such as spilled milk, vomit and sweat. The list could go on there as babies can get very messy!

Avoid strong aromas at the newborn stage. Essential oils & perfumes can be overwhelming for their senses. Only use essential oils in the bath when they have been recommended by a qualified/experienced aroma therapist. Other synthetically fragranced products should especially be avoided as well.

It really is that simple!                                                

What herbs should I use in my babies bath?

Here are 3 wonderful ingredients I have personally used for my own children in their baths when they were babies.

Calendula – this is great for rashy skin. It’s anti bacterial, anti inflammatory and has wound healing capabilities.

Chamomile – helps reduce irritation, is antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Chamomile is soothing to the skin.

Oats - Naturally soothing to itchy, rashy, skin. A great cleanser for sensitive skin. Oats contain polysaccharides that form a gel when mixed with water. The gel softens and nourishes the skin, and protects skin from drying out after it has been washed off.

And after the bath…

Now that bubs is all clean & dry it’s time for a nice gentle massage.

This was my ritual particularly with my daughter. My son was a very active even before he was born so he wasn’t big on being massaged.

For both kids I did massage Jojoba oil onto their skin after their baths. Jojoba oil has a composition that closely resembles the sebum in human skin. It’s perfect for babies skin.
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Other oils that are great for babies include Apricot kernel oil, Grapeseed oil & Safflower oil. They provide good moisturisation and are easily absorbed!

What can I do about nappy rash?
 

Use water & wash cloth where possible – this can be tricky when you a busy mum rushing around. It can also make more washing & who needs that. Luckily there are disposable wipes that are made purely with water and fruit extract. Just Google water wipes.  Even if you are just using water to clean baby’s bottom, the skin can still become irritated with nappy rash.

Find a good natural balm that will provide a protective barrier between the skin and any excrement. Change your baby regularly to keep the skin dry and give them a bit of nappy free time.
 
Just like all of us babies skin can be affected by many different factors. Such as food, environment and just getting used to being in the world. If you have any major concerns for skin issues your bub might be experiencing seek advice from a health care professional.

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