Newborn skin care:
Newborn babies' skin is delicate and requires special care. So it is important to know what products to use as well as skin hygiene. Knowing how to take care of a newborn baby's skin is crucial for all parents. Although the cutaneous barrier of healthy infants is functional, its function continues to develop through at least the first year of life.
Therefore, susceptibility to dryness and irritation from external factors is higher than at other ages. So too much heat or too much cold can trigger allergic reactions. Some products can get aggressive. So what do you need to know?
Newborn skin care:
It is necessary that the hygiene products are well tolerated by the child and that they do not damage the stratum corneum. After delivery, the skin becomes sensitive and exposed to factors that can lead to a breakdown in the skin barrier. These factors may be the following:
- saliva.
- Nasal secretions.
- urine.
- stool (including stool enzymes).
- dirt.
Because of the daily exposure to these factors, it is essential to ensure optimal skin hygiene as well as adequate protection of the baby's skin barrier. To do this, we recommend putting the following recommendations into practice.
Newborn skin hygiene:
Skin hygiene of a newborn baby should begin when the body temperature has already stabilized. At birth, the pH of the skin is neutral. It becomes acidic later.
Neutral or low pH soap:
The use of soap causes a transient increase in pH and predisposes to infection and irritation. Therefore, it is recommended to use neutral or low acidity and unscented soaps, at minimum doses.
Cleaning with lukewarm water:
For the first two weeks, it is sufficient to clean gently and only with lukewarm water. Excessive temperature, heavy use of soap, and length or frequency of bathing, among other things, contribute to dry skin (irritated dermatitis), according to studies published in Pediatric Dermatology.
the heat:
To ensure healthy skin in babies, the temperature must be observed. why ? When it's too high, it can lead to sweating or hyperthermia. On the other hand, if it is very cold, it causes hypothermia or panniculitis. It is therefore essential to ensure adequate protection against temperature changes, especially in summer or winter. Babies under the age of 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
Antiseptic solutions:
The use of disinfectants with skin hygiene products is not recommended as they cause damage to the skin's microbiological ecosystem and contribute to the proliferation of other types of microorganisms. Also, alcohol is easily absorbed and can cause burns or changes in the pH of the skin.
Navel care:
The umbilical cord usually breaks between 5 and 15 days after birth. Prior to this, the stump could be seen as an infection, and thus a potential entry point for the spores. So it should be kept dry and clean, with no gauze or protection around it. In addition, it is advisable to wear loose-fitting clothes and avoid covering the navel area with diapers. In this case, it is advisable to apply an antiseptic agent to the cord at each diaper change.
Gluteal skin care:
Nappy rash is common and affects most babies at least once. The closed layer environment contains a complex interplay of potentially harmful agents. In this regard, a publication in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics stresses the importance of keeping the area clean and dry. When moisture is retained in the diaper for a long time, friction increases and the skin softens. As well as increased permeability and microbial growth.
Newborn skin care: what to remember?
A baby's skin is very sensitive because it hasn't fully developed its protective barrier. It is necessary to practice some careful hygiene as well as to use certain products.
Whenever possible, it is essential to ensure the integrity of the skin and minimize the risk of allergic reactions or infection. Therefore, aspects such as temperature or the appropriate use of disinfectants and emollients must be taken into account.
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Newborn Care