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The appearance of a long-awaited baby in the house is both a holiday and a great responsibility. How to ensure his comfort from the first days? There is no universal recipe, each family has its own way. But there are tips that are equally useful for everyone. For example, how to wash a newborn.
Why is it important to wash your newborn baby properly?
The skin of a child is very delicate and easily vulnerable – not at all the same as in adults, since its microbiome is not yet formed. There are other differences between baby skin and adult skin.
The skin of the baby is very delicate and vulnerable.
In newborns, the ratio of body surface area to weight is on average 2,4 times higher than in adults, so the skin loses heat faster.
The pH value of the skin of a newborn is close to neutral and gradually, during the first months, becomes slightly acidic, as in adults (which is important for protecting the skin from pathogenic microorganisms). But the protective hydrolipidic mantle in infants is not fully developed, which means that their skin is much more reactive.
Babies have about 20-30% thinner skin than adults, making it more vulnerable.
Melanocytes in the skin of children (up to three years of age) produce very little melanin, and it is important to protect it from the sun.
That is why caring for the crumbs upon returning from the hospital should be competent and thoughtful.
How to wash the face of a baby: basic rules
Over time, the baby will love the obligatory ritual of washing.
The fears of many young mothers are completely understandable. How to wash a baby that almost fits in the palm of your hand? And how to wash it correctly and safely? We tell you how to make the washing process comfortable not only for a one-month-old baby, but also for you.
Prepare everything you need. On the changing table should be cotton balls or discs, as well as a container of boiled water at room temperature. We do not recommend using tap water. It may be too harsh for baby’s reactive skin.
Put the baby on the changing table, soak a cotton pad in boiled water, wring it out slightly and wipe one eye first, and then wipe the second with another cotton pad.
Use a damp disc to clean the outside of your baby’s nose. To clean from dry crusts inside, use special cotton buds (with an expanded part of the cotton tip) so as not to accidentally injure the baby.
With the next disk, wipe the face and neck, remembering to clean behind the ear creases and creases (if any) on the neck.
Move over the baby’s skin gently and gently, without pressure, gently washing each area.
Features of washing a child, taking into account the time of day
From the first month of life, babies in most cases begin to enjoy bathing.
In order to immediately enter the usual mode, make a rule to wash your baby in the morning and evening.
In the morning
The morning toilet will help the baby wake up and gradually teach him to wash his face in the morning. In addition, you can wash your baby after feeding. It is not necessary to wipe the entire face, it is enough to clean the skin around the mouth and in the neck area.
in the evening
Evening washing is best combined with bathing before bedtime. Also use boiled water for this purpose. If desired, or if there is evidence, you can add a weak decoction of medicinal herbs to it: chamomile, succession, etc. Herbs soothe the skin, especially if it is characterized by increased reactivity, which is not uncommon for babies in the first months of life.
Review of cosmetics for washing a baby
For washing and bathing babies, use special products.
In the early days, it is not recommended to use even special baby gels, shampoos, milk. Wait until the baby grows up a little. You can use only those means on which these words are indicated: “from the first days of life.”
Lipikar Syndet AP+, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP+ Lipikar Syndet AP+, La Roche-Posay
The Lipid Replenishing Cream-Gel gently cleanses even the very dry skin of babies, children and adults, instantly softening it.
Soothing shower gel with protective properties Lipikar Gel Lavant, La Roche-Posay
Thanks to the soothing action of niacinamide and the lipid-replenishing properties of shea butter, shea gel helps to restore the skin’s protective barrier.