9 Common Baby Skin Care Myths Busted & Facts Revealed
Table of Content:
- Bathing in milk will give your baby great skin:
- Diapers cause rashes:
- Antiseptics must be used for infections:
- Baths should be given every day:
- Water is enough to clean the baby:
- All natural baby products are safe and gentle:
- A crying baby may be crying due to hunger or a dirty diaper:
- Sunbathing makes a child stronger:
- Babies do not need moisturization:
Caring for a newborn baby is hardly a “new” facet of human evolution; parents have literally been doing this for as long as humans have populated our planets. In fact, this is not even unique to our species! Other mammal species, such as elephants, bears, orangutans, and penguins also care for their newborn babies in a very similar way to us humans.
The one possible major difference between our ancestors and other mammals is that today, we have access to infinite information and digital accessibility, all thanks to our smartphones. Our generation is perhaps the most well-informed, aware and conscious generation of parents; every decision is made mindfully and only after conducting thorough research online.
However, our parents and grandparents and their grandparents only depended on their elders for baby care tips, newborn baby care knowledge and parenting as a whole. These were traditional childcare secrets that were passed down through generations of women. There were no certified or clinically tested baby products in the market which parents could trust. Perhaps there were a few international and local brands that made newborn baby products such as baby massage oil, baby powder, or baby body wash, but usually, most family elders would advise newborn parents to refrain from using these products.
Indian families have always advocated for a natural way of living, and would always suggest natural oils, natural shampoos, and natural moisturizers for their newborn babies. This was based on our thorough faith in ancient Indian customs, stemming from the influence of home remedies and homegrown local ingredients. Indian families trusted the flora and fauna of their community to feed them and heal them. Just like us. We at CITTA believe in the natural way of living, and that is why we have crafted our products with simple, local and Indian ingredients that we have heard of very often. We have seamlessly blended time-tested traditional ingredients with science to provide convenience to modern parents without compromising quality.
We believe that while our reliance on natural products is absolutely correct, our traditional families may have gotten some facts wrong simply because information gets lost and misunderstood over generations. These incorrect pieces of information and baby care tips have created some common myths which need to be busted. So here are the top 9 common baby care tips, which you need to know the whole truth about:
Bathing in milk will give your baby great skin:
Unlike popular belief, milk is not a significant factor in having “great skin”. Skin texture is usually genetic, which means children of parents with good skin will most likely have good skin too. However, milk, especially breastmilk does help with hydrating very dry or sensitive skin. The best way to ensure your baby has soft and healthy skin is to use baby products which are gentle, chemical-free and provide adequate nourishment to the baby’s skin.
Diapers cause rashes:
Most traditional families and elders advise against the use of diapers based on their claim that diapers cause rashes. Diapers will not cause a rash if a parent uses them with care and caution. A diaper rash is commonly caused if a baby is wearing a soiled or wet diaper for too long, or if there has been no application of a good barrier on the baby’s skin. To avoid diaper rashes, parents must change diapers frequently (or as soon as they are soiled), use gentle cleaning wipes, use a good baby cream that forms a protective skin barrier and find diapers which are of good quality and not tight-fitting.
Antiseptics must be used for infections:
Antiseptics are products which are used for disinfection of surfaces and also used for topical application on the skin. These antiseptics are used to ensure there is no infection caused by leftover viruses or bacteria. However, there have been scientific studies giving evidence of certain toxic effects of antiseptics in children. Chemical disinfectants, sanitisers and antiseptics are made of certain chemicals which are harmful to infants and young children.
Baths should be given every day:
While you may think this is obviously a fact, many paediatricians now do not recommend daily baths for a newborn baby. It is now advisable to give a bath three to four times a week; although, it is crucial to clean other body parts regularly and multiple times a day. Areas such as the face, neck, and diaper area must be cleaned with a clean wet washcloth and a bath should be given with a gentle baby wash. Parents should also check the baby’s skin folds around the neck, thighs, and armpits, especially during hot and humid seasons to make sure no rashes or boils are present.
Water is enough to clean the baby:
This is true, especially for newborn babies, because just warm water is a good way to wash your baby without drying out their delicate skin. In fact, a baby should not even be bathed with water until the umbilical cord has fallen off. During this period, a sponge bath or bath using a wet washcloth is enough.
All natural baby products are safe and gentle:
This one is a big myth- no, all “natural” products are not always safe or gentle. Several brands use these words as part of their marketing strategy. A true natural product is one where every ingredient is made using raw materials from natural sources and meets all national manufacturing guidelines. To identify gentle baby products or safe baby care products, read the label and ingredient list carefully and be conscious of which ingredients are harmful, such as parabens, sulphates, added fragrances and other artificial colours.
A crying baby may be crying due to hunger or a dirty diaper:
While a baby does not cry only due to these two factors, a hungry baby and a baby with a wet or soiled diaper are definitely going to be crying, babies. A baby cries as a means to communicate with you, and they may be crying because they are hungry, in pain (colic), sleepy, overstimulated, sick, or just want to be held by a caregiver.
Sunbathing makes a child stronger:
Sunlight is a source of Vitamin D, which is crucial for a baby to grow and process calcium for stronger bones. However, newborn baby skin is very sensitive, and it can be harmful to expose them to direct sunlight due to the UVA and UVB rays. The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a guideline indicating that babies between 0-6 months should not be exposed to any sunlight directly at all. Parents are advised to discuss Vitamin D deficiency with their child’s medical caregiver.
Moisturization is actually a great way to hydrate your baby’s delicate skin and prevent dry or rough skin! After bathing your baby, use a hydrating baby cream or good baby lotion. Additionally, use a natural oil or a doctor-recommended baby massage oil before a bath to help your baby’s soft skin stay healthy.
Babies do not need moisturization:
We hope these detailed pieces of information about newborn baby products, kids' skin care and baby care tips will allow you to discard our old myths and implement the correct ways to care for your baby’s skin and body.
We would also advise all parents to seek medical advice and discuss all concerns with their trusted paediatrician instead of placing blind trust in people’s opinions (both online and offline). Parenting a newborn baby is not an easy task, and we are here to provide you with the most relevant and scientifically proven information to make your journey easier
