Babies' skin, which is easily affected by cold due to their sensitive structure, becomes more vulnerable to diseases, especially during the winter months. If care is not taken, babies' bodies may become dry, cracked, flaky, and even some skin diseases may develop. Specialist from the Department of Child Health and Diseases, who gives suggestions to families about special care for baby skin and some precautions to be taken. Dr. Hakan Onur explained what needs to be taken into consideration for the skin health of babies during the winter months.
Care should be taken for the skin of babies in the first 4 years
Elastin fibers found in the skin of newborn babies, It begins to develop after birth and reaches the skin structure of an adult only by the age of 4 on average. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the skin structure of babies, especially in the first 4 years, due to their more sensitive and thinner skin structure. Especially during winter months, babies' skin may be exposed to cold weather, causing cracks and flaking. When sweating does not occur due to cold weather, the already sensitive baby skin begins to dry out. Allergic babies are more exposed to this situation. Mothers should follow this situation closely and seek expert support when necessary. Some precautions can be taken for babies' skin health.
1. Bathing once a week
Giving babies a bath once a week will be sufficient. Additionally, the scalp should not be washed more than once. Because babies' scalps do not get oily and dirty in a short time like adults'.
2. Bathing should not exceed 15 minutes
When bathing babies, especially in winter months, care should be taken to ensure that they do not stay in the bathroom for more than 15 minutes. Because cold weather has a protective effect on the baby's skin, and frequent washing, especially prolonged bathing, may cause the baby's skin to dry out further.
3. The content of the shampoos and soaps used should be taken into consideration
Excessively drying and irritating soaps and solvents should not be used in the baby's bath. Baby soaps and shampoos that prevent skin irritation should be preferred. Body lotions to be used immediately after bathing can help the baby's skin return to normal. The lotions used must be organic, odorless and colorless.
4. frequently If it is necessary to have Nyo, soap or shampoo should not be used
If the baby needs to be bathed every day or every other day for the sleep pattern, shampoo and soap should not be used. The baby should be washed with warm water and then dried quickly. In this case, lotions can be used again after bathing.
5. The temperature of the baby's environment should be 21-23 degrees
The temperature of the baby's environment is also very important for skin health. The environment, which is heated by air conditioning, electric stoves and radiators and creates dry air without moisture, also causes drying and cracking on the baby's skin. This situation paves the way for some types of eczema to occur in babies. It may be useful to use room humidifiers in closed environments and to place wet towels or water in a container on radiators and heaters. It is important for the respiratory system and skin health to keep the ambient temperature at 21-23 degrees and the ideal humidity rate between 45-55%.
6. The environment where the baby lives should be ventilated frequently
It is important to ventilate the environment regularly, even in cold weather in winter, and to do this for 10-15 minutes, especially in the morning and evening. In this way, the humidity level in the house can be kept balanced. However, short-term room humidifiers can be used in areas with very low humidity.
7. The baby's clothes should be light-colored and cotton.
Dressing babies in woolen and thick clothes during the winter months is a factor that negatively affects skin health. Itching and irritation occur on the skin of the baby who sweats while wearing layers of thick clothing. In addition, dressing too thickly does not protect the baby against diseases. Thin and light-coloured clothes made of soft cotton fabric that will make the baby comfortable should be preferred. Clothes that the baby can easily put on and take off should be used, depending on the ambient temperature.
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