Emotions are unstoppable when you have your baby in your arms. His presence fills you with happiness, but at the same time the question assails you if you can give him the care he needs. It is so small and fragile! Don't worry, take it easy.
First of all, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the soft skin that protects it from the outside. Formed by millions of tiny cells, it takes almost a year for the baby's skin to reach full functionality. When your little one is born, his skin is 30% thinner than that of an adult. It is as thin as a sheet of paper and for that reason it is more susceptible to irritation and water loss. Yes, it dehydrates up to five times faster.
On average, its delicate skin measures about 2 mm in most of the body, although on the palms of the hands and on the soles of the feet it is about 6 mm, but as your little one grows, it will thicken.
But let's see how it is that your skin tissue evolves in order to have clearer care that you should have at all times.
Your skin protects it from the outside
When it is born, the skin of your little one is covered by a thin layer called vernix caseosa or sebaceous spot, a white or grayish oily substance composed of water, fat and proteins. During pregnancy, its function is to protect and isolate the skin of the fetus from the irritating effects of amniotic fluid. Once the baby is born, the remains of the body are absorbed by your skin.
The experts of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend giving your child a sponge bath during the first two weeks to prevent the umbilical cord area from getting wet. Once the remains of this have fallen, you can give it a normal bath (a maximum of four per week is recommended). The reason for this is that the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin of the newborn) is very vulnerable and has a higher pH than that of an adult, so it is more prone to dry out if you bathe daily with common soaps .
Due to its sensitivity, it is important to choose a mild soap with neutral pH, preferably hypoallergenic and that has moisturizing properties. For example, one option is the Baby Dove bar. The idea is to use products that do not alter the lipid layer of the skin, in order to prevent dryness and minimize the risk of allergies and irritation.
Appropriate hydration in delicate areas
For the first six to eight weeks, your skin is still very thin. That is why it is necessary to provide sufficient hydration. Pediatricians suggest using a special hypoallergenic moisturizing lotion for newborns.
Do not forget to spread the body cream on those especially thin areas such as behind the ears and the instep. Moisture-keeping areas, such as the chin, neck and pomp, require extra doses of moisture.
The epidermis is formed by very close cells composed of keratin. In infants, the amount of keratin is low and the lipid film thin and poorly resistant. At this stage, the production of melanin, the pigment that gives the color of its epidermis, is slow. Melanin absorbs UV rays before they cause skin lesions. Being almost non-existent, your little one is helpless against sunlight (do not expose it between 10 AM and 3 PM).
Six months and up
This immaturity of skin functions makes babies more vulnerable to external factors, such as sun and heat. The best line of defense to protect it is continuous hydration. After six months, when babies are more exposed to the environment and, therefore, to dryness and irritation, they require nutritional care. One option is to use a moisturizer that remains for 24 hours, thus avoiding dry skin. Dove Enriched Moisturizing Body Cream may be a solution in that regard.
As babies grow and socialize, they are more likely to get dirty. Therefore, bath time becomes more important. It can be done at night, as part of your routine to help you sleep better. As your skin begins to thicken more, it requires more intense moisturizing and bathing is a great opportunity to provide it. Do not let it pass.
To avoid discomfort to your baby it is recommended a shampoo or soap that does not irritate it, the so-called "tear free". It is also required that it be hypoallergenic and that it does not alter its delicate pH (as we had already mentioned) and that at the same time that it purifies your skin, replenish the nutrients and moisture that you lose during the bath. This is important because it helps prevent irritation caused by rubbing the diaper.
After 2 years of life, babies' skin will have evolved enough to protect them from the different factors that surround them. If you received adequate care at all times, you will continue your healthy development in the following stages of your life.
