Nothing is as wonderfully delicate as your newborn’s skin. Unfortunately, many environmental influences and infections can 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 or treat your child daily with expensive creams, serums, and masks. We’ve gathered some helpful information on facial care for babies and will explain when and what you should use to moisturize your baby’s face.
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, your baby needs a care product with a high fat content that helps preserve 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.
In general, you should only use a nourishing cream when your child’s skin is dry, and only apply as much as the skin can absorb easily. When choosing a nourishing cream for your baby, make sure it is free of fragrances, preservatives, and other allergenic ingredients. This way, you’re truly doing something good for the skin instead of burdening it with potentially irritating components. If your baby has extremely dry skin, this may be an early sign of developing atopic dermatitis. 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 cold, 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 help 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, and they 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 fungus in the diaper area. Consult your midwife or pediatrician to prevent the fungus from spreading further.
A different concern is the herpes virus: adults may find it merely annoying, but for children it can be very dangerous. Since a newborn’s immune system is still very weak, herpes in infants is a serious infection that can cause a range of symptoms. These can be difficult to interpret and may 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, symptoms can range from typical herpes blisters to inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. Fever and seizures can also be caused by a herpes infection. The risk of transmission 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 go to the hospital immediately. Unfortunately, herpes in infants is not something to take lightly. If you have herpes yourself, or if anyone else who has contact with your baby has herpes, they should wear a mouthguard to help protect your child from infection.
Even ears and eyes want to be cared for
When it comes to baby care, you should also pay attention to the ears and eyes. During your baby’s daily wash, don’t forget the eyes. Use a clean washcloth and lukewarm water. Clean the eyes from the outside toward the nose with warm water. Never wipe in the opposite direction; otherwise, you could push bacteria under the eyelid. Cotton swabs are never suitable for cleaning a child—whether for the ears, nose, mouth, or umbilical cord.
Even if it doesn’t look appealing, earwax is extremely useful. It helps prevent dirt from entering your child’s ear and also carries dirt particles and small foreign objects out. You shouldn’t interfere with this natural cleaning process by trying to remove earwax—especially not with a cotton swab. Instead, regularly clean your child’s ear and the outer ear with a damp, lint-free cloth. Don’t forget the area behind the ears: surprisingly stubborn crusts can form there. To remove them, you can—just as with other skin folds—put a little almond oil on a cloth and gently wipe behind the ear. All clean? Then enjoy your healthy, happy baby and watch as they eagerly discover the world.
