Why less is more for newborn skin

Did you know that your newborn’s skin is different at birth from a small child or adult?

Thanks to nine months spent floating around in amniotic fluid, it needs to adjust to being exposed to fresh air. It takes about six to 12 weeks for the skin’s acid mantle (aka protective barrier) to form.

That’s why it’s so important to protect your little bundle with a skin care routine that’s gentle and respectful. Here are three ways you can boost your baby’s skin health from day one – and it all starts with doing less.

No daily baths
Because snoozing indoors doesn’t make for dirty skin, there’s no need to bathe your newborn every day. In fact, doing so may dry out your baby’s skin and make it more prone to irritation. Aim for every second or third day to start establishing a bedtime routine. As your baby grows and is exploring the world a little more, you can increase the frequency until bathtime signals to baby that it’s time to wind down.

Stick to simple ingredients
Avoiding toxins is important at every stage of life, but never more so than when the acid mantle is developing. This protective layer is your baby’s first defence against bacteria, viruses, fungi, pollen and pollution so when it comes to washing your baby and their clothes and bedding, avoid synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals.

Instead, stick to gentle, plant-based formulations like ecostore’s fragrance-free baby range and Ultra Sensitive laundry products. Because they’re dermatologically certified and approved by the Eczema Association of New Zealand, they’re a great way to make sure your baby’s skin is handled with the utmost care.

Don’t forget about textiles
What you put against your baby’s skin matters. Not only do abrasive synthetic fabrics have the potential to damage the developing acid mantle, but these materials shed potentially toxic fibres.

Also, natural fibres (like the soft, breathable wool in Merino Kids’ sleeping bags and clothing) help your baby to regulate their body temperature, avoiding the skin problems that are associated with sweating.

To explore a wide range of plant-based baby care and laundry products, as well as Merino Kids’ clothing and sleeping bags, visit ecostore’s Freemans Bay shop today.

ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay, T: 09 360 8477, www.ecostore.co.nz

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