Do you remember the first moments when your baby was put in your arm? Fresh out from the womb, so tiny and fragile; how delicate and soft her skin was? You could snuggle this little bub forever and live on that baby smell alone!
Surprisingly, according to the Allergy Centre Malaysia, 90% of infants develop the condition of atopic eczema before they turn five! Woah, now that’s a staggering statistic! For mamas who have gone through or are going through this phase with her child, it is no doubt a very challenging and painful journey. Babies have vulnerable and sensitive skin, especially during the first 3 years of their lives. But what are the root causes of sensitive skin? Here, we break them down.
Exposure to UV Rays
We all know that our skin needs the sun to make vitamin D, which is important to help our body to absorb calcium. That is why, your mom is right to “kick you out” of the house for some fresh air and sun when you are stuck in the room playing video games for way too long. However, babies on the other hand, have very sensitive skin and their skin is 30% thinner than an adult’s! This means that prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause babies to lose moisture a lot faster and hence, more prone to dryness and irritation.
What’s in the sun that we should be so careful of? Well, UV rays, that’s what. Ultraviolet rays or commonly called UV rays are a type of energy produced by the sun and are the cause of sunburn, premature ageing, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. UV rays cannot be detected by our senses, most often by the time we notice something’s amiss, the damage is done. Hence, babies under one year old should be kept away from direct sunlight to avoid any irreversible injuries.
Exposure to Pollution
Babies’ fragile skin is much less resistant to allergy triggers and bacteria that can irritate skin. Yet, living in this modern world, especially in the urban areas, the intensity of pollutants is so much higher and unavoidable. For us adults, tiny particles may not affect us much more than just an itch or a sneeze, it is however very different for an infant – the tiniest of a particle can quickly accelerate skin sensitivity and irritate him or her to a point of endless crying.
Be it indoor or outdoor, pollutants are abounded and all around us. Indoor air pollutants like dust and mold can contribute to breathing problems and worsen eczema condition; pollen, exhaust fumes, dry or humid air, and even the material of the fabric that we wear could be potential allergens or source of irritation to the baby. Our skin has a barrier that acts as protection from harmful irritants and it prevents the loss of moisture; as such appropriate cleansing, moisturising, and sun protection will help maintain our baby’s skin.
Exposure to Bathing Products
First time mamas will quickly notice that when your baby is born, his skin is wrinkly and has a whitish layer of discharge called vernix, it acts as a protective covering to your baby’s skin and will naturally peels off during the first weeks. This is the nature’s way of protecting our young ones and there is really no need to rub it, peel it, or treat it with just any baby products –organic, home remedies, or otherwise.
A newborn’s skin and immune system is very delicate, as such, fragrances and harsh chemicals found in baby products such as shower gels, shampoos, talcum, and lotions can cause dryness and irritation to their skin that can affect them throughout the day. Babies do not need many types of products to maintain their hygiene, therefore it is important to choose the right products to keep their skin protected and hydrated.
Mamas’ Best Choice
Newborns do not need to be bathed everyday as they are really not as dirty as we think they are; every two days once is good enough to keep them clean. Given our hot and humid tropical weather, you may want to just give them a gentle wipe down to keep them fresh and happy in between those no-bath days.
When choosing a baby’s wash product, the rule of thumb is to look out for products that are paraben-free, soap-free, tear-free, hypoallergenic, and pH balanced. Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath & Wash meets the criteria and is recommended by paediatrician. It contains 1/3 moisturiser with soothing aloe vera and almond oil. This also means that it won’t dry out baby’s skin and won’t trigger an allergic reaction, what it does leave behind is gently cleansed and soft, moisturised skin.
Over the years, Cetaphil has established itself as a trusted brand strongly endorsed by dermatologists, paediatricians, and mothers all over the world. 10/10 mums agree that Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath & Wash never fails to gently cleanse and moisturise baby’s delicate skin.
If you are like any mums out there, wondering what is the first and the best thing you can give your child today, then look no further than skin health. As the largest external organ on our body, our babies’ skin deserves all our tender, loving, care to ensure their overall healthy growth and development. Cetaphil’s Baby Moisturising Bath & Wash can be used not only for sensitive skin babies but also suitable for babies with normal skin as it is made with hypoallergenic formula to gently clean and moisturise your baby’s precious skin, as well as to prevent skin sensitivities. Give it a go today to jump-start a lifetime of supple, healthy skin.
Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath & Wash is readily available here. To learn more about this trusted brand, surf over to its Facebook, and Instagram today.