Skin and Nail Care Tips for Babies
Skin care1. Your baby’s skin is considerably thinner than adult skin, and very sensitive. Because of this, experts agree that it’s best to avoid putting sunscreen on babies under 6 months of age when possible and ideal to keep them out of the sun altogether. If you do take your baby outside, limit being in the sun as much as possible (particularly at times of the day when the sun is strongest), ensure your baby has a wide-brimmed hat and sun-protective clothing, and take advantage of shade. Once babies are six months, a small amount of sunscreen may be used on exposed areas, like the face or the back of their hands. Avoid putting sunscreen near baby’s eyes and mouth. If your baby does rub it into his eyes it may sting a bit, but otherwise it is not something to worry about. Use a sunscreen product for babies with an SPF of 30 that provides protection against UVA and UVB. Test a small amount of sunscreen on your infant’s inner arm prior to regular use and check for allergic reaction within 48 hours.
Nail care2. Your baby’s nails will grow very rapidly and, although they appear thin, can do damage to his very tender skin if he scratches. To prevent this, nails typically need to be trimmed up to twice a week. If you are using a nail cutter, protect your baby’s fingers by pushing against the finger pads as you trim his nails. The first couple of times may be daunting for you and baby, but take it slow. Either chat and sing to your baby happily throughout the trimming so he will associate the nail-trimming as a pleasant time, or trim his nails when he is in a deep sleep. It definitely gets easier with a little practice!