Essential Tips for Basic Skin Care for Babies Regardless of Weather Conditions Every Mom Should Know

Limit the baby's exposure to sunlight, especially during the peak UV radiation hours from 10 AM to 2 PM. During this time, avoid taking the baby outside. If it's necessary, ensure thorough protection by keeping the baby in the shade, avoiding high temperatures, or direct sunlight. For infants under 6 months old going outdoors with parents, shield them with a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved light-colored clothing, or wrap them in an antibacterial cloth to prevent UV rays. Additionally, mothers should carefully choose and use sunscreen products for children to maximize protection against UVA/UVB rays.

To safeguard your baby's sensitive skin, parents should choose a 'companion' that is gentle. For basic baby skincare, opt for shampoos and bath gels specially formulated for children, extracted from natural ingredients, with organic and mild components, and a neutral pH designed for small children. These have been proven safe for cleansing without causing eye irritation, dryness, or skin irritation, ensuring your baby has clean and healthy skin. Mothers should avoid using products with unclear origins or containing excessive fragrances as they may cause dryness and allergies in the baby's skin. Choose products that reassure mothers and keep babies comfortable.

When it comes to moisturizers, avoid heavily scented ones, especially those without parabens or phthalates. Instead, choose moisturizers containing natural oils such as jojoba, sunflower, or oil from apricot kernels, which are excellent for softening the skin. Infant skin is prone to dryness, especially in warm summer weather or dry and cold climates. Applying moisturizer daily, especially after bathing, helps retain moisture in the baby's skin. In tropical and humid conditions like ours, babies are prone to redness, allergies, and diaper rash, so mothers need to pay attention to this issue.

In addition to the basic shampoo and care products, mothers should also have specialized creams for different skin areas and specific skin issues, such as diaper rash prevention and relief, preventing and treating baby acne, and more.

During the baby's infancy, bathe them 2-3 times a week to prevent dry skin. If your baby sweats, use a soft and gentle cloth to wipe them. At this stage, avoid bathing the baby too frequently to prevent allergies or catching a cold during bath time.

From 6 months onwards, when the baby's skin is tougher and they are more active, you can bathe them once a day with warm water to minimize the risk of catching a cold. Pay attention to thoroughly wiping sweat and drying areas such as the neck, armpits, wrists, ankles, buttocks, and the diaper area to protect the baby's skin from rashes or irritation.

Choose a draft-free bathing location and limit bath time to a maximum of 10 minutes. The water temperature for children should be around 38°C to avoid skin damage. Avoid rubbing too hard, as it can cause itchy rashes, and prolonged exposure to high temperatures can disrupt the skin's moisture balance. Afterward, wrap the baby in a large, thin, absorbent cotton towel, avoiding excessive thickness, shedding, or fading. Be careful in towel selection, as a poorly chosen one may expose the baby to skin and respiratory diseases due to inhaling cotton dust. The best time to bathe the baby is around 4 PM when the weather is cooler but still less windy than in the evening.

Mothers should diversify their child's diet, emphasizing plenty of green vegetables and fruits while limiting allergenic foods, especially seafood, during intense skin sensitivity. Encourage the child to develop a habit of drinking water regularly. If there are symptoms of redness, itching, or allergies, seek medical advice promptly instead of self-medicating. A diet supplemented with fiber and vitamins is beneficial for the child, alongside avoiding excessive early intake of fats and oils. A well-hydrated body, along with adequate vitamins and minerals, contributes to the child's radiant and fair skin. In addition to the above tips, mothers should limit the use of heaters and warm lights to prevent dry skin in children. Dress the child in loose, breathable cotton clothes and avoid garments made of wool or cotton fibers that may irritate the skin. Keep nails trimmed and use mittens to prevent scratching and reduce the risk of skin infections when itching.

Whether it's scorching or chilly, mothers should regularly change diapers every 4 hours, clean the baby's bottom with warm water, wipe dry, and apply diaper cream before putting on a new one. Keeping the diaper on 24/7 will undoubtedly make the baby uncomfortable, so every day, mothers should allow the baby's skin to 'breathe' for at least a few hours. Choose thin, breathable, absorbent, and antibacterial diapers that do not irritate the baby's skin and have side leak guards. Pay attention to how the baby reacts when wearing diapers – if they are comfortable, rash-free, and especially if the baby likes them, prioritize using those types.

In the scorching summer, the climate often causes sweating in the armpit, diaper fold, and diaper-wearing areas. Therefore, dress your child in loose-fitting clothes made of lightweight, smooth material to create a cool environment and prevent heat rashes. Additionally, clothing with smooth, lightweight fabric helps minimize friction, protecting the baby's skin from unnecessary damage. This is a skincare secret for breastfeeding mothers that cannot be overlooked.

A child's skin is delicate and more sensitive than that of adults, reacting to external irritants in a more sensitive manner. That's why a child's skin needs special care, entirely different from ours. In the scorching summer, the risk of skin diseases such as sebaceous gland inflammation, diaper rash, redness, intertrigo, erosions, water blisters, and vesicles in children increases. Meanwhile, during the cold winter with dry air and low humidity, the main causes of damage to the child's sensitive skin include conditions like dryness, milk crust, itching, and scales.

The outermost layer of the epidermis (horny layer) is thinner, and the cells are less tightly arranged than in adults. The incomplete development of sweat and sebaceous glands makes a baby's skin more susceptible to damage. These factors highlight the fragile protective barrier of a baby's skin. Exposure to UV rays, chemical particles, physical impacts, environmental microorganisms, and harsh weather changes can easily damage a baby's skin.

During the scorching summer, children often sweat a lot, and sweat tends to accumulate in the underdeveloped sweat glands around the mouth, irritating the skin and forming rough, grainy patches commonly known as diaper rash. This discomfort can make the baby itchy and fussy.

So, when your baby sweats, use a soft cloth soaked in warm water to wipe the sweat away, aiming to make the baby's pores more breathable and prevent them from being clogged. Wiping with cold water will close the pores and hinder ventilation. The areas under the chin, armpits, and back are where sweat is most likely to accumulate, so mothers should regularly check and wipe away sweat for the baby.

In general, the fabric softeners available on the market all have the function of softening fabric fibers, ensuring that clothes are gentle and caring for the baby's skin. Additionally, choose products that contain gentle ingredients for the baby's sensitive skin. Using laundry detergent, washing powder, and fabric softener with high alkalinity can irritate the skin, strip away its natural oils, and cause dryness.

Contact dermatitis is a skin allergy reaction caused by contact with objects or substances that can be irritating. Symptoms include redness, swelling, dry skin, cracks, or peeling. Here are some common irritants and allergens that can cause contact dermatitis:

• Saliva, urine
• Skincare products, soap ingredients, detergents
• Hair dye, perfumes, cosmetics...

To prevent contact dermatitis, you should:

• Dress your baby in loose, breathable clothing and avoid rough fabrics
• Use fragrance-free and color-free moisturizers
• Bathe your baby daily with warm water and diluted salt until the itching is gone