Winter Skin Care For Babies

The thought of winter skin care of babies brings to mind rash cheeks, chapped lips and general dryness in babies as a reaction to the cold weather and central heating. Parents like us need to care and protect the super soft and delicate skin of babies. Talking about skin care becomes more apt when we understand the anatomy of the skin.

Epidermis, the outer skin makes new skin cells and protects the other layers of the skin from dehydration, stress and infection. Stratum corneaum, its topmost is coated with an acid mantle defends the body against viruses and other foreign invaders. Healthy skin cells are full of water, with the fat and oils produced in it helping to trap water, maintain body temperature and to keep good bacteria in and bad bacteria out.

Dry, flaky skin and irritation from eczema are the skin challenges brought about in winter by the drop in the ambient temperature and moving about from cold external wind and air, to very dry heated areas. This requires moisturizing all parts of one’s body from head to foot.

Ways to care for the winter care of babies:

• Ensure you keep a good quality moisturizer handy for use in the office, play room, kitchen and loo to use whenever the hands are wet; the skin on the hands is the thinnest and needs care. Encourage the kids to use it whenever the hands are wet till it becomes a habit.

• Apply a moisturizer over your kids face, body and hands at least twice a day; prevent red cheeks caused by applying more on the hands and face before going out. You could also apply a SPF on the little ones.  

• Care for the baby’s sensitive and delicate skin by using a dehumidifier in the bedroom in the night; it could bring down irritation.

• Avoid using hot bath water; let it be warm or use a warm  moisturizing bubble bath, as hot water dehydrates the skin. Use a moisturizer to the skin after getting out.

• Keep the nails short as they are more prone to cracking and splitting.

• Make sure the little one takes a lot of water even in winter; a good alternative would be warm herbal teas.

• Overcome lip dryness with a lip gel as Lanolips; do a patch test before using it to prevent eczema.

• Prevent a dry scalp during winter by using a shampoo suitable for sensitive skin.

• Condition the little one’s hair well after washing and apply a detangling spray on static hair and tangles between washes. Prevent loss of moisture from scalp by avoiding blow drying hair and use CuddleTwist, a hair towel for kids.

• Increase the intake of Vitamin C to improve health of skin and boosts the production of collagen.

• Promote intake of Omega -3 Fatty Acids by giving babies walnuts, oily fish, avocado and olive oil.

• Promote the elasticity of the skin with whole grains that are packed with selenium.

• Overcome the deficiency of Vitamin D got from sunlight for kids with D-Lux do a Vitamin D spray during winter months.  

As a last note go in for products in dermatological and pediatrician approved ranges. Avoid mineral oils, SLSs, parabens or products with artificial colors and go for natural products. Stop products that cause irritation. Most products especially nappy creams contain preservatives that ensure that air born bacteria do not thrive in the tube once it is opened.  

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