Until your baby is 2 years old, its skin is very delicate and requires maximum protection from external conditions. Its skin much thinner than yours and does not produce as much moisturizing oils as you do. It can get dry, chapped, and flaky quite easily. Your little one can suffer from dry skin, especially during the harsh, cold winter months, but if its skin is generally dry, even the summer days can make it lose its moisture. There are many cosmetic products that you can use in order to moisturize your little one’s skin, but using natural moisturizing ingredients are much safer and more effective. Here are a few simple techniques to preserve moisture.
1. Shorten The Bath Time
When giving your baby a bath, you might tend to let it soak in the water for quite some time to ensure that it’s squeaky clean, but this will only remove the natural oils from its skin. Stick to a bath time for a maximum of 10 minutes. Use lukewarm water and cut down the frequency of the baths. Babies do not need to bathe every day; 2 to 3 times a week is sufficient.
2. Use Oatmeal For Baths
You can use oatmeal when bathing your bundle of joy. Oatmeal has moisturizing properties that will help nourish its skin. Grind half a cup of slow cooking oatmeal into powder and add it to warm water. Soak your baby in it for 10 to 15 minutes, rinse with clean water, and pat dry with a soft absorbent cloth.
3. Run A Humidifier
When you use indoor heating or air conditioning, the humidity of the air inside your home decreases, and this directly affects your young one’s skin. Run a humidifier in its room to prevent it from losing precious moisture to the dry air.
4. Ensure Proper Hydration
If you want your baby’s skin to be well moisturized, you have to ensure that it is hydrated from within. Less water in your baby’s system will easily reflect on its skin. No amount of slathering moisturizers will do the trick.
5. Use Breast Milk
If your are lactating, you can use your breast milk on your baby’s skin. Apply it on dry patches of skin and and chapped lips, and let it dry. Breast milk has many healing properties. It will nourish and soften your baby’s skin.
6. Use Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is nature’s moisturizer and has anti-inflammatory properties. It will be gentle on your baby’s skin and will hydrate it effectively. Scoop the gel from an aloe vera leaf and apply a thin layer on your baby’s skin. Let it dry for an hour, and gently wipe it off with a soft towel.
7. Massage With Coconut Oil
Coconut oil will retain the moisture of your baby’s skin and soften it. It will also protect it from microbes. Take a few drops of coconut oil in your palms, massage your little one’s body with it for about 10 minutes, and wash it off after an hour.
8. Apply Almond Oil
Almond oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants which will nourish your baby’s skin. You should use pure almond oil when massaging your baby. Since the texture of almond oil is thick, you can mix it with coconut oil. Wash the oils off after an hour of massaging your baby. You can use olive oil as a bath oil too.
9. Use Avocado
Avocado is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids. It will moisturize your baby’s skin and will protect it from the effects of the sun. Mash an avocado, apply it on your baby’s skin, and wash it off after 10 minutes. You can also use avocado oil, but since it has deeper skin penetration, use it in small amounts.
Even though moisturizing oils are good for your young one’s skin, use them only after your baby older than 6 months. If they get itchy, red patches on their skin, consult a pediatrician. It might be eczema. Its skin condition might improve by constant moisturizing, but it is better to take the advice of a medical professional when dealing with skin conditions.
