Facial care for the baby

Nothing is as wonderfully delicate as the skin of your newborn child. Unfortunately, there are many environmental influences and infections that put this sensitive skin to the test. That’s why facial care is important even for babies. But don’t worry: you don’t have to buy a whole range of skincare products and treat your child daily with expensive creams, serums, and masks. We have gathered some information on the topic of facial care for babies and will explain when and with what you should apply cream to your baby.

When should your baby's face be moisturized?

Whether and how often your child should be moisturized also depends on the season in which your baby was born. In winter, the baby needs a care product with a high fat content that preserves the skin's natural acid mantle. In summer, your baby needs a cream that provides reliable protection against UV rays and contains plenty of moisture – but only from the 6th month onwards; before that, you should avoid sun exposure as much as possible.

Basically, you should only use a nourishing cream when your child's skin is dry and only as much as it can absorb without issue. When using a nourishing cream for your baby, make sure it is free of fragrances, preservatives, and other allergenic ingredients. This way, you are truly doing something good for the skin and not burdening it further with harmful components of the cream. If your baby has extremely dry skin, this may be an early sign of developing . When in doubt, ask your pediatrician or midwife how to care for very sensitive skin.

This is how you care for the delicate nose

Your baby's nose cleans itself. If your baby has a , crusts may form that you can easily remove with a clean washcloth and some lukewarm water. Cotton swabs should never go in your child's nose or ears. Instead, use the tip of a cloth tissue and gently roll it up. Nasal drops made from isotonic saline solution are ideal for gently cleaning or moistening a stuffy nose. Carefully clean the pipette after use to prevent further infections.

The right care for your baby's mouth

Babies explore the world with their mouths. While it may sometimes make you nervous that your baby really puts every object in their mouth, this exploration is usually completely harmless. In some children, small blisters form on the lip caused by sucking, which usually disappear after a few days. These blisters are absolutely no cause for concern. If white spots or a white coating form on your infant's oral mucosa, lips, or tongue, spread quickly, and cannot be wiped away like milk residue, it is a fungal infection (thrush). Oral thrush in infants must be treated with medication just like the fungus in the diaper area. Consult your midwife or pediatrician to prevent further spread of the fungus.

Another story is the herpes virus: adults find it only annoying, but for children, it can be very dangerous. Since the immune system of newborns is still very weak, herpes in infants is a serious infection that can lead to various symptoms, which are sometimes difficult to interpret and resemble blood poisoning. Depending on the site of infection, your child may appear lethargic and develop breathing problems. If the herpes infection occurs on the skin, eyes, or mouth, the symptoms range from the typical herpes blisters to inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. Fever and seizures can also be caused by a herpes infection. The risk of contagion is high: your baby can become infected even before birth, but also through kisses, shared spoons, and toys. If you suspect that your baby might have contracted herpes, you should definitely go to the hospital. Unfortunately, herpes in infants is not something to take lightly. If you have herpes yourself or someone else who has contact with your baby, you should definitely wear a mouthguard to protect your child from infection.

Even ears and eyes want to be cared for

When it comes to the topic of babies and care, ears and eyes must also be discussed. During your daily washing of your baby, don't forget the eyes either. Use a clean washcloth and lukewarm water for this. The eyes are cleaned from the outside towards the nose with the warm water. Never in the opposite direction; otherwise, possible bacteria can be pushed under the eyelid. Cotton swabs are never suitable for cleaning the child, whether ears, nose, mouth, or umbilical cord.

Even if it doesn't look nice, earwax is something extremely useful and helps prevent dirt from entering your child's ear, while also transporting dirt particles and small foreign objects out. You should not interfere with this natural cleaning process by trying to remove the earwax – especially not with a cotton swab! Instead, make sure to regularly clean your child's ear and the outer ear with a damp, lint-free cloth. Don't forget the back of the ears: here, surprisingly stubborn crusts can form. To remove them, you can – as with all other skin folds – put a little almond oil on a cloth and gently run it along behind the ear. All clean? Then enjoy your healthy and happy baby and watch as it eagerly conquers the world.