This week’s subject at Mom's Land is protection of our baby's skin from sunlight... Baby’s skin is more sensitive and susceptible to irritability and peeling than adult’s skin. That's why we should use appropriate moisturizers recommended by experts to care for her skin and we must absolutely protect their skin from harmful effects of the sun.
How can we protect our baby’s skin from sunlight?
There is plenty of keratin in baby’s skin. Keratin protects her against external harmful substances. Moisture level in infant’s skin is low. Her skin is vulnerable and sensitive to cold and hot weather conditions and injuries.
You should be very careful when washing your baby and moisturizing her skin. There is no need to apply cream or oil after each bath/shower. Excessive application of oil and creams can lead to small pimples and prevents baby's skin from sweating. When her skin is dry and cracked, it is enough to apply a baby lotion or moisturizer twice a day. It is better not to get your baby have a bath when her skin is too dry. If she has to, then, adding baby oil to the bath water may also help.
If the baby's skin is dry and cracked, you can apply baby lotion or moisturizer twice a day. You should make sure the moisturizers and lotions used do not contain additives, colorants and perfumes. Since baby skin has a delicate structure, special mineral baby oils, which are especially produced for babies, should be used.
As we have mentioned above, babies’ skins are very sensitive to sunlight. For this reason, babies should not be taken out to daylight during hours when sunlight comes with a steep angle. If necessary, you should use protective cream before going out. Sun cream that you choose should have UVA and UVB protection with SPF protection factor of 30 and above. Moreover, it should be pediatric without color and smell. You should apply protective sun cream on all parts of baby’s body that are in contact with sunlight.
It is very dangerous to take babies out to sunlight during the period between 0-6 months as babies do not have protective melanin layer in their eyes. Sun protective creams can be used when they are 6 to12 months old. We should pay attention to the following: the product should have a wide spectrum of UVA and UVB protection; It should be physically preservative, non-irritating, with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and without paraben or perfumes. Apply protection cream as a layer without rubbing it on the skin 20 minutes before you take the baby out. It is useful to apply it once more after bath or shower.
When choosing clothes, choose those made of thin and cotton fabrics. Cotton absorbs sweat. If your baby sweats, you should change her clothes. Thin clothes keep your baby cool. If possible, have them wear light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect sun rays.
Don’t forget to have your baby wear a wide, air-permeable cloth hat if you are going out in sunny weather.
