Winter Skin Care for Babies

One of the best joys in life is cuddling a happy, smiley baby, and one of the best sounds is that of a baby’s laugh. Anyone who’s held a baby will know how much innocence that cute laugh holds!

Come winters however, and that soft, kissable skin can become really dry. Babies’ skin is much thinner than adult skin, which makes it more vulnerable to climatic changes. Winter air is dry and cold, and this can dry out baby skin further. Add to it the usual baby drool and drippy noses and the skin dries out even more. To make things easier for parents we wrote this post on winter skin care for babies.

Winter Skin Care for Babies

Babies with medical conditions like eczema or those who have sensitive skin can have bigger challenges to face when the weather gets cold. Add to this the chemicals in commonly available baby products and you have a recipe for irritated skin.

That’s why it’s important to give baby skin some extra TLC during winters, during every step. Here is a breakdown of the ideal skin care regime for babies during winter.

Massage before bath time

Baby massage is something that is well known for its benefits. It stimulates blood circulation, boosts immunity and improves parent-child bonding. And when done with the right oil during winter, it provides an extra layer of moisture to prevent skin from drying out.

There are a few things to remember about baby massage during winters. Firstly, it’s important to use the best massage oil for baby – coconut oil, mustard oil and almond oil are the top choices. Whatever oil you pick, it’s important to make sure that it is 100% natural and free from any kind of chemicals.

If you’re looking for the best baby massage oil brand in India, your best pick is the Mamaearth Soothing Massage Oil, which contains a combination of cold pressed sesame oil, almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil and other essential oils. Just make sure to follow all safety precautions and ensure baby is not too cold during the massage.

Decide if a bath is needed

It can be tempting to relieve dry skin by bathing baby every day, but that may not be necessary. Too much water can actually dry out skin even further, especially for new-born babies. A few times a week is usually enough, with more attention to the diaper area.

Instead of a full bath, you can opt for a sponge bath with a sponge or washcloth. You can also simply use wipes made from natural materials, like the Mamaearth Organic Bamboo based Baby Wipes. Just wipe all around the baby, paying special attention to the creases and folds in skin.

A quicker option is using a body mist, like the Mamaearth Tropical Garden Body Mist for babies. This is an alcohol free mist made from distilled water and flowers, which you can spray over baby’s body for instant refreshment.

Use the right soap

Once you’ve decided that baby needs a bath, the next important question is regarding which soap to use! Many Moms have a default, go-to baby soap which they’ve been hearing of for years and which they trust implicitly. However, many commercial and popular baby soaps may contain harmful chemicals in the form of fragrance.

Instead, opt for a baby body wash that’s soap and fragrance-free, like the Mamaearth Deeply Nourishing Body Wash, suitable even for newborn babies. When bathing babies during winter, make sure that the water is lukewarm, and not too hot. When drying, simply pat dry with a soft towel, and avoid rubbing baby’s tender skin. You can also opt for the Moisturising Bathing Bar Soap for babies.

Use the right moisturizer

As soon as baby’s bath is done, apply a moisturizer all over the skin. This is important because applying moisturizer on slightly damp skin will lock the moisture in, and keep skin hydrated for longer.

The right moisturizer is crucial, and it needs to be 100% natural and chemical-free. You can either go for a winter body lotion for babies, or choose a specific baby face cream for winter. The best lotion for babies is one that has no fragrance ingredients, like the Mamaearth Moisturizing Daily Lotion for Babies. Baby cheeks can get especially dry, for which you can opt for an organic baby face cream like the Mamaearth Milky Soft Face Cream with Murumuru Butter. These can be applied twice a day if the weather is extremely dry.

Use a sunscreen and a diaper rash cream

Another risk when going outdoors is the damage of UV rays. Yes, sunscreen is essential even during winters, and it’s a good idea to go for a mineral based sunscreen like that from Mamaearth.

Since babies wear more layers during winter and don’t have too much diaper-free time, they can also be more prone to diaper rash. If this happens, use a soothing diaper rash cream like the Mamaearth Diaper Rash Cream with calendula and shea butter.

Dress baby the right way

Exposed skin is likely to get dry faster, so keep baby completely covered especially when going outside. The body’s natural reaction on getting cold is to send less blood to the extremities like hands and feet, which is why they get colder fast.

On the other hand, there is also the risk of babies getting overheated, if they are dressed in too many warm clothes. Babies can’t regulate their body temperature yet, so it is important to pay attention to their clothing. Dressing in layers is your best bet, with a rule of thumb being that babies need one layer more than adults. Opt for breathable, natural fabrics and avoid ones that feel itchy or that can irritate skin.

Use the right laundry detergent

Using the right clothes isn’t enough, it’s also important to launder them right! Regular laundry detergents can be harsh and can irritate baby skin, especially if it contains fragrance chemicals.

Instead, keep your regular detergent for the rest of the family’s clothes, and choose a gentler baby-friendly version for baby’s clothes, like the Mamaearth Plant-based Laundry Detergent for babies. Not only is this gentle on baby’s skin, it’s also mild enough for blankets and woolen clothes.

Ensure indoor air is not dry

When it’s super cold outside, many families turn up the central heating, but this can make it worse for your baby’s skin. Heaters dry up the air further, and this dry air can cause conditions like eczema to flare up. Prevent this by using an air humidifier. It not only clears the air, but also adds in the much needed moisture that’ll prevent dry skin and all associated problems.

Ward them away from the sniffles

Besides all this, it’s important to pay attention to baby’s diet, making sure that she’s well hydrated so skin is nourished from inside. Till the age of six months, babies don’t need anything other than breast milk or formula. After that, they can drink water and soups, based on their age recommendations. Babies can be vulnerable to cold and other infections during winter, which may require a chest rub. Choose a vapour rub specially for babies, like the Mamaearth Breathe Easy Vapour Roll-On, which is easy to apply as well.

These simple tips will help your baby stay healthy and safe all through winter. However, if you notice any abnormalities like cracked skin, or itchy, red patches, get medical attention right away. These are our tips on winter skin care for babies. What are some of your favourite tips on winter skin care for babies? Share it with us in the comments.

The post was originally written for Mamaearth Blog. You can view it here.