Babies and toddlers have a skin that is five times more sensitive than adults. It is chubby, smooth and soft. You can’t just help but touch and feel it. However, apart from the joy of cuddling you also have the responsibility of taking utmost care to maintain their skin’s softness and innocence. So here we are listing a few basic yet essential tips for all parents to help protect the skin of their kiddiewinks, especially during winter months. Because a routine skin care for kids is important & cannot be avoided!
SKIN CARE FOR KIDS & BABIES
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Inculcate the habit of eating right
It all starts with what they eat because that’s what first shows up on the skin. It’s basically about taking care of their diet. Ensure that there’s an adequate intake of water. Make them consume a variety of food items. And do not encourage them to eat wrong but also don’t completely restrict. Rather, inculcate in them the habit of eating the right fruits, veggies, nuts and other nutritious items. Correctly explain them about the benefits and they’ll themselves choose right!
For babies, once they are off breastfeeding, give them food that’s wholesome, organic and natural. Feed them things appropriate for their age. And do not forget to consult a pediatrician in case you need help regarding the infant’s diet.
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Use child-friendly household stuff
Things like fabric softeners, detergents or personal care products can cause sensitivities to your child’s skin. So make sure to choose merchandise that’s suitable and best for your little one. Also, limit their exposure towards other household irritants like furniture clothing, furniture polish etc.
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Use natural baby care products for skin
For your baby’s or child skin care, avoid using soaps and/ or creams that have a harsh chemical base. It is not advisable to use soap for newborns to avoid making their skin dry. And it’s recommended to use something that’s mild and natural for your little one’s skin. Plus, use products that are perfume free and are easily absorbed by the sensitive baby skin.
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Skin care for kids? Don’t forget to oil!
Before bathing, massage your little one’s skin with pure coconut or olive oil. Oil penetrates deeply into the skin making it soft. Use the amount that’s sufficient for massaging and is not too much else it might cause acne.
You can also make use of homemade desi ghee which acts as a moisturizer for baby dry skin. It keeps their skin moist and supple. But if you still feel that the skin is dry, then massage twice a day. Also, not let them touch the affected areas to avoid bleeding due to dry skin.
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Soak in the sun but with protection
Let your infant and toddler soak some Vitamin D (through sun rays) which is beneficial for maintaining their skin health. It is also the best remedy when your newborn suffers from jaundice and proves effective for carrying out baby skin care in winter. Just make sure that the sun exposure isn’t between 12 pm to 4 pm. Coming in contact with the sun during this time irritates and burns your child’s skin due to the harmful UV rays.
Also, be cautious when your toddler goes out to play. Take precautionary steps like applying sunscreen lotion (not recommended for babies under 6 months of age) which is alcohol and chemical free.
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Wash face at regular intervals
Washing your kid’s face at regular intervals is another beneficial step. This way he/ she can procure the benefits of water. Plus it keeps their facial skin fresh and glowing. And it’s also a hygienic habit. But do not wash too often as it removes the layer of natural oils protecting the skin.
Pay special attention when it comes to your newborns as they do not get too dirty other than the drool and diaper grim. But also wash them properly and not let any dry or dead skin accumulate.
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Encourage bathing
Stop procrastinating and bathe your baby every alternate day with lukewarm water. Keep the bathing duration short restricting only to a few minutes. After the bath, immediately apply baby lotion. Newborn babies require moisture locking to well protect their skin. This also helps to fight with skin related problems like baby acne, cradle cap and more.
Also, encourage a regular and complete bath for your toddlers and teach them to not put off. This helps to keep their skin clean, healthy and fresh.
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Let them sleep undisturbed
Get your toddler in the habit of taking short afternoon naps along with better and undisturbed night sleep. This not only improves their cognitive functioning but also works for the betterment of their skin. Let it be their “beauty sleep”!
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Keep scented products away
Babies and kids have really delicate skin which gets irritated due to scented skin products. Such products are easily absorbed by their skin and trigger allergic reactions. These also make their skin dry and/ or cause rashes.
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Maintain hygiene
For your toddlers, developing better hygiene habits is like laying a foundation for their overall positive health. So daily baths, skin care for kids, regular brushing are all signs of better hygiene.
On the whole, all the infants and toddlers are blessed with a soft and delicate skin. But how you as a parent and they as kids maintain is entirely up to you! Develop a routine for them right from getting up early, regular bathing to eating right and sleeping better. Skin care for kids isn’t that difficult but you do need to be careful in those initial years.
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