Caring for your baby

Fresh out of the womb, babies are covered with the most wonderfully thick, creamy, moisturising substance called vernix caseosa-do not wash it off. Vernix is mother nature’s perfect moisturiser as it provides perfect protection for the baby’s skin when it encounters the harsh climate of the outside world for the first time. Scientists have studied the components of vernix and have identified lipids, amino acids, proteins and beneficial microbes.

The World Health Organisation advises delaying baby’s first bath for 24 hours. When you are ready to give your baby her first bath, simply use clean water or a completely natural wash. Babies need very little after they are born. Harsh, synthetically fragranced soaps strip the body of its natural oils. Don’t be fooled by smart marketing that shows the benefits of their products and prompt you to buy.

The most common skin ailment one can expect in a newborn is the dreaded nappy rash. Unfortunately, the materials which keep disposable nappies from leaking, also prevent air from circulating, combined with the fact that a baby’s skin barrier is not yet fully formed. This creates the ideal environment for a rash to develop. When it comes to your newborn’s little bottom, the cleaner and drier the skin, the better. Dermatologists recommend that mothers use natural wipes and a bum cream to create a thick barrier on your baby’s bottom. If a rash does develop, treat the affected skin with a bum cream that contains natural plant oils as it allows the skin to breathe rather than petroleum bases. For a few minutes each day, give your baby some nappy-free time.Following these healthy skincare tips will give you peace of mind so that you spend less time worrying and more time cuddling with your baby.

Baby acne is different from that of adults. It does not need any special treatment but the baby’s skin has to be kept clean and dry. These tiny pink bumps on a baby’s face, neck and chest, which occur in a fifth of all newborns in their first month of life, mustn’t be squeezed or be applied with lotion as they often disappear by themselves. Leave it up to nature because there’s nothing much you can do as it is often related to the presence of the mother’s hormones in the baby’s body after birth.

A newborn’s skin is extremely delicate, so it is important to avoid any products with the words ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’ in the list of contents. Exposing your precious bundle of joy to these is one of the leading causes of allergies and irritation on the skin. Whenever you are ready, introduce products with natural pure essential oil fragrances as they’re completely safe.

1. Frozen teething rings can really help to soothe sore and tender gums. Let the teething ring thaw after taking it out of the freezer to avoid trauma to your baby’s gums. 2. Check the list of ingredients on teething gels and powders because some contain local anaesthetic which causes the mouth and lips to go numb. This may cause your baby to bite himself as more teeth start appearing. 3. If the tooth hasn’t erupted yet, you can soothe teething pain by rubbing your baby’s gums with a cloth or your finger for about two minutes. Wash your hands before doing this. 4. A wet cloth, cooled in the fridge to chew on is as effective as a teething ring.

5. Some babies like having something hard to chew on. You can give your older baby apples, carrots or other raw vegetables to chew on. Keep an eye on your little one just in case pieces break off, as they can be choking hazards. 6. Ice lollies, cool purified food and biltong can be given to older babies to chew on. 7. Teething can cause pain and keep your baby from sleeping and lead them to crying continuously. To soothe the pain, paracetamol and ibuprofen, given in the correct doses, can help with severe teething

As much as a newborn brings joy, it brings an equal amount of responsibility as well. New parents usually go through a bumpy ride when taking care of a baby, which involves issues like lack of sleep, soothing the baby, and feeding. Take, for example, changing diapers. It’s not the most complicated thing in the world: you wanna remove the soiled diaper and put a fresh clean one in its place. But there are some important things to remember. Or maybe you think that taking a baby out of the tub is so easy? But a baby’s skin is super soft, and it can get really slippery after a bath. That’s why it’s extremely important that you be extra careful while doing that. So be ready for drastic changes in your lifestyle and remember that the first giggle of your little one makes the struggles you go through worth it. Here’s a list of things that can be beneficial for new parents.