My baby is 7 days old, his skin is a bit rough in cold and dry weather. How should I take care of his skin to avoid dryness and cracking? (Ngoc Mai, Lam Dong )
Reply:
Newborn baby skin is thin and sensitive, easily irritated when the temperature drops, dry, leading to cracking, discomfort, and pain. You should note the following to care for your baby's skin every day.
Newborns do not need to be bathed every day in cold weather, maybe 2-3 times a week. Choose a place sheltered from the wind to bathe your baby, bathe quickly, then dry the body with a clean cotton towel. Because if you bathe for too long, the natural oil layer on the baby's skin will be washed away, making the skin easily dehydrated and rough.
Mothers should bathe quickly and dry with a soft cotton towel to avoid losing the moisturizing oil layer on the baby's skin in cold weather. Illustration : Freepik
The water for bathing your baby should be moderately warm, around 32-34 degrees Celsius. Bathing your baby in water with a higher temperature will cause the skin to become dry, cracked, and red. You should use a special baby shower gel to bathe your baby.
After bathing, you should gently massage your baby with moisturizer or massage oil to help maintain necessary moisture and improve blood circulation.
Choose a moisturizer that is alcohol-free, contains natural ingredients, is chemical-free, additive-free, and is suitable for your baby's skin. Dry weather can also cause lips to dry and crack, leading to pain and discomfort. Apply a thin layer of moisturizing coconut oil or lip balm to your baby's lips to create a protective layer against cold, dry air.
Children may also have a runny nose, often wiping it, causing the skin under the nose to become dry and cracked. Parents should apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the area under the baby's nose.
It is equally important to choose soft, comfortable clothes for your baby to help the skin "breathe" easier when at home. Many parents have the mentality that when the weather turns cold, the baby should be dressed as warmly as possible. Wearing too many thick clothes makes the baby sweat, the skin becomes red and sore, rashes, and pimples.
To limit damage to your baby's skin, you should choose clothes, gloves, socks, hats, and scarves made of soft cotton that can keep your baby warm and absorb sweat well. When your baby is in a warm room, you should take off some of his clothes so that he does not sweat or feel short of breath or itchy, causing discomfort.
MD.CKI Nguyen Van Toan
Department of Neonatology, Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi
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