Cute, cuddly, and full of curiosity! Babies are adorable to say the least. Even before your little munchkin arrives, your life begins to revolve around them. You start preparing your home and life to accommodate your precious one’s requirements. You begin to store diapers, baby-proof the house, and bookmark the cutest clothes on your shopping list. All of this to ensure that your baby is comfortable and in good health.
One of the important ways to keep your baby happy and healthy is ensuring good skin and hair health. After all, these are the two things that can make your baby feel uncomfortable, if not maintained. The best way to do that is by making yourself aware of some fascinating facts about your newborn baby’s hair and skin. This will help you curate a specialised skin and hair care regimen for your little one with organic, chemical-free, and baby-safe products.
Some Interesting Facts About Your Newborn’s Skin And Hair
Babies have super delicate and sensitive skin and hair that require special attention. Take a look at some of the interesting newborn skin and hair facts and the importance of using natural products in their daily routine to keep them protected.
A Newborn Baby’s Skin Is Super Sensitive And Delicate
While your little munchkin has been super speedy in developing from an embryo, to a fully-functioning human being, their skin still requires a lot of TLC and time to adapt to the new environment and its harshness. Unlike adult skin, newborn skin is more sensitive, thinner, and may take up to a year to fully develop.
In fact, your baby’s skin absorbs and loses moisture faster, making them prone to dryness and infections. Also, the use of chemical-loaded products can trigger skin sensitivity and cause discomfort and rashes. Thus, you must be extra careful while choosing products for your baby.
Choose a product that is dermatologically approved and contains only organic and safe ingredients. You can use organic cold-pressed coconut baby oil to deeply nourish and hydrate your baby’s skin. Try investing in multi-purpose organic coconut oil that moisturises both your baby’s scalp and skin. Apply it frequently to protect your baby’s skin from drying and soothe rashes and irritations.
It Is Advisable To Avoid Using Adult Products On Baby’s Skin
By now you know that a newborn’s skin is delicate and requires gentle care. This means they need baby products that are specially designed to suit their sensitive skin and not products meant for adult use. Most adult skincare products are designed at a higher pH level, contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, and dyes. Using them on your baby’s sensitive skin can cause adverse reactions such as allergies and inflammations.
Therefore, you must stick to using baby-safe products only, and purchase products that are alcohol-free, pH balanced, tested for safety, and chemical-free. Use ultra-mild cleansers to wash your baby’s skin and hair and don’t forget to moisturise immediately after.
It Is Common For Babies To Develop Cradle Cap
Now parents, don’t panic at the first signs of cradle cap in your baby. It’s a completely normal condition. A cradle cap is the accumulation of greasy and scaly patches on an infant’s scalp. These patches are usually accompanied by dandruff and may appear as yellow or red rashes. This condition often clears once your little one turns one, and most cases are resolved with a head wash routine.
First, oil your baby’s hair with a mild baby hair oil (look for ingredients like marula, baobab, and peach oil) and use a baby brush to comb and loosen the scales. Next, cleanse their scalp thoroughly with an organic strengthening shampoo with essential oils. After washing, dry your baby’s scalp by patting a towel and comb their hair with a clean brush.
Your Newborn Doesn’t Need To Be Given Baths Often
If your baby feels calm and relaxed after bath time, then fine. But, to tell you the truth, there is really no need to bathe your infant every day. In fact, too many baths can make their skin more susceptible to dryness, rashes, and discomfort. A quick wipe-down of their legs, arms, neck, face and diaper area with a soft damp towel can be enough for most days.
Also, during their bath time routine, make sure you are using a moisturising baby body wash to deeply hydrate their skin and keep it soft and supple. It’s best to look for a product enriched with pumpkin seed oil and moringa oil, as these ingredients are rich sources of antioxidants and will help soothe your baby’s skin.
Newborns Can Lose Their Hair
Your little one may have thick, black hair during birth, but there’s no guarantee that it will remain the same. Your baby’s hair may fall out during the first few weeks and take a year to grow back. This typically happens because your little one’s mature hair follicles are still developing and is not a matter of concern at all. In fact, your precious one’s hair may go from growing straight to curly in just a few months.
Massaging Your Baby Has Immense Benefits
Oil massage can be extremely beneficial for babies. It strengthens their bones and muscles, promotes blood circulation, calms them, and even keeps their skin smooth and healthy. Massaging your baby with oil regularly can help their skin barrier develop faster and make them less prone to dryness. While choosing a massage oil, make sure the ingredients in it are safe and organic. Use a massage oil that contains almond, grapefruit, almond, and saffron oil to deeply nourish your baby’s skin.
Your Newborn’s Skin May Change Colour
Your baby’s skin may appear purplish for the first few days after birth. But don’t worry, this happens because, inside the womb, their skin is protected from the amniotic fluid by a grease-like substance like vernix. It usually takes two to three days for this protective layer to wash off, and then your baby’s skin begins to return to normal. To provide ultimate protection, you may consider applying natural baby sunscreen on their skin regularly. This will keep their skin safe from any damage.
That was our list of interesting newborn skin and hair facts. We hope our tips help you care for your newborn’s needs effectively and ensure their soft, smooth, and healthy skin. If you have any other concerns about what your baby’s skin and hair care routine should look like, do consult with your doctor.
