Blogs
7 Skincare tips for newborn babies : what you n...
A woman’s greatest blessing is to be able to become a mother and give birth to new life. Motherhood is a journey that compares to no others; it is one...
7 Skincare tips for newborn babies : what you need to know as a new parent
A woman’s greatest blessing is to be able to become a mother and give birth to new life. Motherhood is a journey that compares to no others; it is one that excites you, scares you, and exhilarates you. It comes without any instructions or manuals, but is accompanied by a host of unique challenges and experiences. When you are a first-time mom about to give birth to your first baby, you have to learn everything by yourself, in your own unique life situation and in relation to your own little baby. Becoming a mother is so much more than just providing the baby with a warm home for 9 months in the womb; the real job begins after the birth of the baby. From the very first time you hold your newborn, you realize that this will be the most wonderful and the scariest phase of your life, because as much as you love this little one already, she is delicate and feels as fragile as a feather. Newborn babies have to be handled very gently and cautiously because they and their skin is far more sensitive and thinner than adult skin. The infant skin is more susceptible and tender to the changes of the surroundings. A new mother is often left wondering about the numerous rashes, redness, boils or marks that may appear on a baby’s skin, and is further overwhelmed by the innumerable baby skincare products available in the market. It is of utmost importance that new parents should be careful about the needs of their baby’s skin and which baby skincare products are natural, chemical-free, and will not cause any harm to the delicate baby skin. But before choosing the right kind of skincare products for babies, let’s go through the 7 baby skincare tips for new parents: Bathing A lot of experts suggest that it is not necessary for the babies to have a bath daily as excessive baths can steal away the skin's natural oils and may result in dry skin. Initially, while the baby is a newborn, you can schedule baths 2-4 times a week. While preparing the water, make sure you don't use water that is too hot or too cold, as this can affect the baby's skin and health; you should always opt for lukewarm water accompanied with mild baby soap. Do a patch test of the soap and shampoo before using them as the baby can be allergic to certain ingredients in some products. Also, after the bath, make sure you don't rub the baby's skin with a towel and just pat it dry. Additionally, ensurethat the air conditioners and the fans of the room are switched off to avoid the baby catching a cold. Moisturization and Massages Your newborn has tender skin and is prone to having dryness. You must implement the moisturization step right after the bath as it helps to lock all the moisture in the skin and keeps the skin hydrated. Identify a baby moisturizer for your baby’s skin, which is gentle and yet nourishing for the skin. You can use oils or baby lotions and give a gentle massage to the baby every day. Massaging the baby will help to keep the baby's skin nourished. You can use coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil, and can even use them at a lukewarm temperature to massage, which will in turn help in good blood flow and eventually good skin. Newborns also find massages very relaxingand it often helps them sleep longer and better. Powdering The new parents often ask, as to why powdering is so important? Once the babies learn to move around, it gets difficult to dry them completely after a bath. So, it is advised that you apply powder on the baby's skin after bathing and moisturization. Powdering helps in absorbing the greasiness of the moisturizer and helps in keeping the baby dry and fresh.Remember to buy chemical and talc-free powder as it can irritate a baby's soft and sensitive skin. Clothes and skin problems The skin of a newborn baby is so vulnerable and is very prone to different kinds of skin problems like baby acne, eczema, diaper rash, heat rash, milia, vernix, erythema toxicum (red rash with red or yellow bumps), and such others. Here, it is of real importance that new parents keep an eye out for such skin problems. Diaper rashes can cause major trouble, and in order to prevent them, you must keep changing the baby's diapers every 4-6 hours. You can read our article on the various skin conditions found in babies here. Another thing to keep in mind while caring for newborns and their skin is to always use cotton clothes for babies, especially during summer. Wearing soft cotton clothes prevents heat rashes and the baby feels more comfortable. Daily Cleansing Even though it is not necessary for a baby to have a bath daily, the baby's skin must be cleaned daily, specifically in the first few weeks of birth. A newborn baby's skin gets easily greased and while inside the womb, it coats itself with a white wax-like substance called vernix. This white wax peels off frequently in the initial days and hence it is suggested to clean the baby gently using a wet sponge. Alternatively, you can also use a soft towel or wet wipes to clean the baby's skin and this will help prevent unwanted skin infections. Cleaning the umbilical cord The first few weeks of the birth of the baby are crucial and demand extensive care and extra attention. A newborn has a little part of the umbilical cord attached to its navel, which will eventually dry out and fall off on its own. The umbilical cord usually takes 11-15 days to fall off; during this time, it is crucial to keep that area near the cord dry. It is advised to not bathe the babies till the cord falls off. If the area around the umbilical cord appears to have developed pus, redness, swelling, or pain, you should consult your baby’s doctor immediately to find a suitable treatment. General care In general, there are several other tips for baby skincare. Babies should not be exposed to direct sunlight until they are 6 months or older, as direct sunlight can be harmful to their tender skin. Apply a good baby moisturizer, and make them wear cotton-based fully-covered clothes, which will protect them from sunburn. Always use gentle, natural, chemical-free skincare products for your newborn baby’s skincare routines. Chemical- based products can harm the baby's skin and can sometimes be allergic. Even while choosing a detergent to wash your newborn baby’s clothes, buy soft detergents and wash the clothes daily to keep your baby rash-free. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your baby to ensure there is no transfer of germs or infection. Remind yourself that you are not alone in this. Ask for your mother's or friends' help and experience, or reach out to your doctor to see medical advice. If any unusual symptoms are visible on your baby’s skin, consult your doctor at the earliest. Motherhood is often a daunting experience, but baby skincare does not have to be! By choosing the right products, maintaining good hygiene, and handling your baby’s delicate skin with love and care, you are already doing the best job you can!
Read More
Best Natural Alternatives of Talc for Baby Powders
Talc is the softest known mineral on earth mined from rock deposits. Finely ground Talc powder is known to absorb moisture, reduce odours, and cut down friction. Due to these...
Best Natural Alternatives of Talc for Baby Powders
Talc is the softest known mineral on earth mined from rock deposits. Finely ground Talc powder is known to absorb moisture, reduce odours, and cut down friction. Due to these properties, Talc has been a common ingredient in Talcum Powders and many other cosmetic products for a long time. But talc has also been linked to several serious illnesses, such as Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Ovarian Cancer. While further studies are necessary to conclusively determine the detrimental effects of Talc, experts advise against using Talc-based products. If talc is harmful to our health, what are its safer alternatives? We have researched the best natural and safe alternatives to talc to help you: Corn Starch: Corn Starch or Corn Flour is the starch obtained from the grains of corn. It absorbs moisture well, which makes it a good replacement for Talc. Corn Starch particles are bigger than Talc particles, which makes it difficult to be inhaled by babies (unless an excessive amount is applied to the baby) – which, again, makes it a better alternative. Kaolin: Kaolin is a type of clay also known as Cosmetic Clay. It is a naturally absorbent material that is known to effectively absorb excess oil from the skin. It does not dry the skin out, but rather soothes it, which makes it suitable for use on sensitive skin. Rice Starch: Rice starch is made by grounding rice grains into a fine powder. It was used as a cosmetic powder before talcum powders came into the markets. It is safe to use on the skin but has a tendency to cake, which is why it is generally avoided in powders. Oat Kernel Flour: Oat Kernel Flour is loaded with the goodness of the soothing agent beta-glucan, skin-nourishing lipids, and moisturizing carbohydrates. This makes it a great ingredient for dry, irritated, inflamed, or eczema-prone skin; and a perfectly safe and natural alternative to Talc in Baby Powders. Corn Starch, Oat Kernel Flour, and Kaolin clay are the safest natural alternatives to Talc in Baby Powders. They absorb excess moisture and oil from the baby’s skin while also soothing it. CITTA’s Soothing Talc-Free Baby Powder provides you with the perfect blend of these natural ingredients so that your baby’s skin stays fresh all day. It is dermatologically approved and has a unique silky texture that soothes the baby’s skin. The Soothing Talc-Free Powder also prevents rashes and itchiness. Next time you are buying a powder for your baby, remember to check the ingredient label carefully. Look for the alternatives we discussed above and make a safe choice.
Read More
How to prevent Allergies in Newborns.
What is Allergen-Free? Whether you are visiting a pharmacy, a cosmetics store, or browsing e-commerce websites selling skincare products, you will constantly be exposed to the term, “allergy-free products” or...
How to prevent Allergies in Newborns.
What is Allergen-Free? Whether you are visiting a pharmacy, a cosmetics store, or browsing e-commerce websites selling skincare products, you will constantly be exposed to the term, “allergy-free products” or “organic skincare”. While these tags are not novel, they have gathered a greater level of consumer attraction. Brands have taken it upon themselves to manufacture and market products, which fall under this category of adult and baby skincare essentials. However, what does this tag indicate? “Allergen-free” simply refers to a product being manufactured without using ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, in India, there is a dearth of awareness concerning allergies and even fewer detections of severe allergic tendencies. Let us first understand what “allergy” and “allergic reaction” mean. “The term ‘allergy’ was coined by Clemens von Pirquet in 1906 to call attention to the unusual propensity of some individuals to develop signs and symptoms of reactivity, or ‘hypersensitivity reactions’, when exposed to certain substances” (Galli et al., 2008). These substances referred to are called “allergens”, which cause these inflammatory reactions, which are also known to be “abnormal adaptive immune responses” (Galli et al., 2008). Allergies are usually caused by three categories of allergens: Food-based allergies Contact-based allergies Inhalation-based allergies There are 8 major food allergens that are also known as the Big-8; they are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. These food allergens usually cause more aggravated allergic reactions in children than they do in adults, and the most common symptoms of food-based allergies are the presentation of hives, rashes on the skin, diarrhoea, vomiting, swelling of the lips and the eyes, and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis. Contact-based allergies are caused by allergens that come in contact with the skin of an individual and cause an allergic reaction. Some of the common contact-based allergens are dyes, soaps, solvents, jewellery, polishes, solvents etc. These allergens cause visible reactions on the skin surface and present themselves as inflammation, redness, rashes, blistering, and scaling. Allergies caused by inhalation of allergens are among the most common types of allergies. These occur seasonally for most people, and the biggest culprit is pollen present in the air. Pollen is a powder-like substance released from plants, and it triggers a reaction in pollen-sensitive patients. Along with pollen, the other allergens under this category are mould, grass, fungi, pet dander and dust mites. Allergen-Free Products Based on the information shared regarding allergies, allergens and allergic reactions, it is evident that there is a need for products (both food and skincare) that do not cause any allergic reactions. A study conducted in 2015 on the Indian population found that approximately 20-30% of the total Indian population suffers from at least one allergic condition (NHP CC DC, 2015). This number is estimated to have arisen in the last 6 years, which makes it more important to develop allergen-free products for the Indian market. With respect to food, an allergen-free food should not contain the major allergens, i.e. peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish or wheat. It is also important to note that “organic” does not mean “allergen-free” as there are several natural products that can also cause allergic reactions. To prevent allergic reactions caused by skincare products, you should opt for products that are more natural than chemical-based, which discusses the various ingredients that are natural and least harmful to delicate skin. Apart from this, you should buy products that are free of parabens, fragrances, alcohol, sulphates and any other preservatives. Newborn Care & Allergies Everything about newborn babies is considered delicate, sensitive and vulnerable. Their internal systems are still underdeveloped and their outer bodies are susceptible to all types of harmful exposure. This makes them easy targets for allergic reactions. The aforementioned three categories of allergens affect babies and sometimes leave parents wondering how harmless substances like milk or soap can trigger such worrisome reactions. Contact-based allergies in babies present themselves as skin conditions, such as eczema, urticaria, or hives and can be seen on any part of the body (Pietro, 2018; MedicalNewsToday). Food-based allergies in babies are fairly common and can cause intestinal and digestive reactions, respiratory distress, or skin irritation and inflammation. When a parent is introducing their first foods to their babies, it is crucial to introduce only one new food at a time. This process helps a parent easily and definitively identify which food causes an allergic reaction in the baby. Usually, allergic conditions tend to run in families, so a baby may be more likely to develop an allergy to certain foods if either of the parents or a sibling has been diagnosed with an allergy caused by the same or similar allergen. Allergy Prevention in Babies While no commercially purchased product can be 100% chemical or preservative-free, creating allergy awareness is the need of the hour. As parents, we need to have the right information and scientific facts about what causes allergic reactions and how we can create an allergy-safe environment for our babies. A few simple tips parents can follow are: Breastfeed your baby for as long as you can. “WHO also recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to 2 years of age or longer” (www.CDC.gov). Breastfeeding helps babies receive adequate and complete nourishment; it also builds their immunity, thus keeping them safe from all external infections. Always clean foods with water well before preparing them as complementary foods. Maintain personal and space hygiene at home, and keep all baby areas clean and dry. Clean bedsheets and blankets often with allergy-safe detergents to prevent any airborne allergens from coming in contact with a baby’s delicate skin while sleeping. Always wash your baby’s soft clothes with baby-safe and allergy-safe detergents. If your child shows any signs of preliminary allergic reactions such as rashes or redness or any breathing difficulties, always consult your medical caregiver at the earliest. If you are sensitive and prone to any allergic reactions, there may be a possibility that your child will present with the same hypersensitivity, and thus an allergic response. Discuss this family history with your doctor, so that any preventive steps can be taken. Also Read: HOW TO CHOOSE A MASSAGE OIL FOR A STRONG BABY AND HEALTHY SKIN
Read More