During winter, your baby needs extra care and attention to prevent seasonal illness as the cold season is known to make their skin dry that can lead to diaper rash, rough cheeks, flaky skin, and scalp. So, give your little bundle of joy extra care.
Ranjan Pejawar, Bangalore based pediatrician outlines the common skin problems that babies face during winter:
* Diaper Rash: Wearing a diaper of the wrong size and friction generally causes diaper rashes
* Rough, Red Cheeks: Chapped skin is basically dry skin that becomes inflamed due to irritation caused by friction from clothing and runny nose
* Eczema: Babies with eczema have insufficient skin surface for holding moisture. Like regular dry skin, dermatitis tends to erupt during winter
"Baby's skin is naturally hydrated and moist and natural products provide the gentle care required to preserve the softness of the baby's skin," says Prathibha, Ayurveda Expert, R&D, The Himalaya Drug Company.
She suggested a few methods that can protect your baby's skin from the harsh winter:
* Give an oil massage to your baby before a bath to nourish your baby's skin
* Give your baby a massage 2-3 times daily with an oil infused with Winter Cherry to improve skin tone and soothe baby skin.
* During winter, avoid giving baby a head bath every day and use only lukewarm water for the daily bath. Hot water may hurt the protective layer of your baby's skin.
* Choose a moisturizer that contains the goodness of Olive oil and Almond oil which improves skin softness.
* Use a diaper rash cream infused with Almond Oil and Yashada Bhasma to protect your baby's bottom from the irritating rashes.
* Choose a mild and gentle shampoo/soap which is enriched with herbs and is from parabens and alcohol.
* Use a baby bath with ingredients like Chickpea, Fenugreek, and Green Gram to retain the natural oils in the baby's skin.
1. Wash Your Hands Frequently:
Winter is a time of flu and colds. Make sure you wash your hands regularly or use a hand sanitizer before touching your newborn. It will prevent you from passing on any germs to your baby. You should request all visitors to observe this precaution.
2. Breastfeed Your Newborn:
Breastfeeding your newborn is the best way to boost his immunity. It will help him keep the cold and infections at bay. Try to breastfeed your baby for the first six months.
. Follow The Vaccination Schedule:
Make sure your newborn does not skip any vaccination schedule. It will help keep your baby safe from the diseases that strike during the winter season. In case your newborn misses a vaccination, call and check with the doctor about when next he can give the shot to your little one.
4. Keep The Room Warm:
Maintain a warm temperature in your baby’s bedroom throughout the harsh winter season. Close all windows at night to avoid any cold air from entering the nursery. However, ensure adequate ventilation too.
5. Make Your Newborn Wear Comfortable And Warm Clothes:
Make your baby wear warm and comfortable clothes. Remember that the temperature of his room may already be warm, and hence your newborn may not need too many layers of clothing. Put on socks and mittens for your newborn to make him feel cozy and snug.
6. Avoid Heavy Blankets For Your Baby:
You may think that you should tuck your little one in a warm blanket at night, but do not do so. Remove things like blankets, pillows, and such from your newborn’s crib to curb the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
7. Massage Your Newborn To Improve Blood Circulation:
Massage your newborn especially in the winters to help improve the blood flow and immunity levels. You can use olive oil, almond oil or coconut oil to massage your baby. Make sure you close the door and keep the room warm when you are massaging your baby. You can give your newborn a nice massage an hour or two before bath time. Alternatively, you can massage your baby before bedtime to help him calm down and sleep better.
8. Avoid Too Many Baby Products:
The cold and dry weather strips the skin of moisture. Your newborn has sensitive skin. Therefore, avoid over-using products like baby soaps, shampoos, and body washes during winters. Your newborn may develop rashes because of severe dryness. Play safe and give your baby a simple water bath on a regular basis instead. You may choose to use a mild baby soap once a week.
9. Regularly Moisturize Your Baby’s Skin:
Pamper your little one’s delicate skin with a generous dose of milk infant skin cream or lotion. This is one of the best newborn baby care tips in winter. You can check with your baby’s doctor for any special recommendations. You can also go natural and massage your baby‘s skin with milk cream or clarified butter (ghee), to keep it soft and supple.
10. Use A Humidifier:
Winter months may require a heater in your newborn’s room. If you are using one, also use a humidifier. It will maintain the humidity levels in the room and prevent your newborn’s skin from losing moisture.
These ten tips will make sure that your newborn remains safe and healthy through the harsh season. If your newborn develops a cold, do schedule an appointment with the doctor at the earliest.
If you had a winter baby, share with us your tips and advice on how to take care of newborn babies in winter.
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