Where are your winter fix-its?
BABY CARE
Is the winter bringing on worry lines? Dr Archana P M offers tips on how to ensure your newborn’s skin stays supple and soft
During winter, the skin tends to lose moisture quickly. This general fact also applies to newborns as their’s is already prone to dryness. Therefore, when winter sets in, it becomes more important to ensure that your baby’s skin remains healthy and supple.
Winter is associated with cold winds and low humidity, both of which dehydrate the skin, result in a flaky appearance, itching and redness. Here’s what you need to know to ward off dry skin in babies.
Heat rash
Contrary to what you may believe, heat rashes can occur during winter too! Bundling up your baby too warm can make him sweat and this can irritate the skin, resulting in a bout of heat rash. So dress your baby in breathable layers to allow proper ventilation. As cotton clothes are sweat absorbent, it is preferable to dress your baby in these first, followed by other warm fabrics like wool.
Dry skin
Dry skin can occur anywhere on your baby’s body, so you need to be prepared. Ensure that the bathwater is not too warm and only mild baby products are used. Hot water dries and shrivels up the skin, while stronger skin products remove the body’s natural oils. Remember to add a few drops of oil in the bathwater. After bathing, pat your baby dry with a soft towel and moisturise thoroughly. Choose a mild, herbal moisturiser and allow it to be fully absorbed by the skin. Keep moisturising every four to six hours during winter, which helps in maintaining skin integrity.
Chapped lips
You’ve dressed your baby just right and applied moisturiser too, but have you forgotten the lips? Just like adults, baby’s lips are also vulnerable to chapping during winter. Simply coat the lips with a thin layer of moisturiser before leaving the house. This will create a barrier and significantly lower the chances of cracked, dry lips.
Seven herbs for winter skincare
For generations, certain herbs have been used for topical wellness in babies. Ayurvedic texts also recommend the use of certain herbs to eliminate skin conditions in babies and children.
Here’s a list of herbs to look out for when buying baby care products this winter:
*Olive oil, enriched with Vitamin E, nourishes, protects and softens the skin and prevents chafing. It has soothing and antimicrobial properties too, which keeps your baby’s skin healthy and soft.
*Almond oil is an excellent skin softener, which gently moisturises your baby’s skin.
*Country mallow, an antioxidant, has nourishing properties and protects baby’s skin from germs.
*Licorice protects and soothes your baby’s skin. Applied topically, licorice helps in relieving symptoms of itching, swelling and redness.
*Fenugreek is a perfect natural moisturiser, specially formulated to hydrate baby’s dry skin.
*Green gram makes the baby’s skin soft and supple.
*Aloe vera is used extensively in Ayurveda for wounds, burns, dermatitis and other skin ailments. It soothes and moisturises your baby’s skin and acts as an antibacterial agent, too.
(The author is Research Scientist, Drug Discovery, The Himalaya Drug Company)
