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Monsoons can be a tricky time for parents with babies as they need extra care and attention
Monsoon baby care: Adopting a consistent routine and maintaining proper hygiene, you can ensure that your child’s skin remains soft, healthy, and resilient throughout the year.
Monsoon is in full bloom and with that parents are extra cautious about their little one’s health. This is also the time when high humidity, dampness, and fluctuating temperatures can lead to a number of skin issues in babies, right from rashes and fungal infections to skin allergies and dry patches. With the rising parental concern for harsh chemicals in baby products and the side-effects they may cause, there has been a shift in preference for products that contain herbal formulations or natural ingredients, offer an effective, natural shield for the baby’s delicate skin, and provide both protection and nourishment.
Dr Ranjan Kumar Pejaver, Professor and Chief Neonatologist, People Tree Meenakshi Hospital, Bengaluru; associated with Himalaya BabyCare shares all you need to know:
Why is Monsoon Skin Care Important for Babies?
A baby’s skin is much thinner and permeable than an adult’s skin, and its skin barrier is still developing. This makes it more susceptible to environmental changes, irritants, infections, and allergies. Weather conditions in monsoon amplify bacterial and fungal activity resulting in skin allergies, itching, and infections in babies.
The Herbal Approach: Nature’s Answer to Monsoon Woes
Parents always want to go the extra mile to keep their babies safe and hence look for products that are free from harsh chemicals. Plant-based skincare products with herbal ingredients have been used for centuries and are valued for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. In the monsoon season, they help protect your little one’s skin and keep them comfortable and happy.
Herbal Ingredients for Skin Defense in Monsoon
Neem
Neem is loaded with antifungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem builds a natural shield against environmental triggers like bacteria, allergens, and pollutants. For babies prone to heat rashes, itchy skin, skin irritation, or minor infections, neem’s cooling properties reduce inflammation, itching, and redness, offering instant comfort.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its healing and soothing properties. Its mildness and moisturizing properties keep the skin non-greasy, soft, and supple. Since diaper rash is common during the monsoon due to trapped moisture and lack of air circulation, aloe vera helps soothe the skin, reduce redness, and promote faster healing. Further, the cooling effect of aloe vera offers instant relief to the baby’s skin.
Almond Oil
When it comes to the unpredictable moisture imbalance during monsoon, almond oil becomes the perfect answer to it. Rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, and zinc, almond oil provides intense moisturization and deep nourishment to the baby’s skin, keeping it soft and supple. Besides, almond oil has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritation, reduce redness, and calm itchy skin. Almond oil also works wonders for gentle baby massages and for their hair and scalp.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is another herbal component that is known for its nourishing and healing properties and is a great natural remedy to protect and care for your baby’s skin. Olive oil is rich in healthy fats and vitamin E that help combat dryness and keep the baby’s skin soft, smooth, and well-nourished. Olive oil also creates a protective layer over the skin, shielding it from moisture-related infections and fungal growth that are common in humid weather.
Massaging your baby’s skin and hair with olive oil during monsoons is beneficial.
Tips for Parents to Care for Their Baby’s Skin During the Rainy Season
1. Keep the Skin Dry and Clean
Monsoon humidity can cause excess sweating in babies, leading to rashes and fungal infections. Wipe the areas around the skin folds like armpits, ears, behind the knee, and the diaper area that are more susceptible to infections. Make sure that you don’t rub, as it can irritate the skin.
2. Use Light, Fast-absorbing Moisturizers
Even in the humid monsoon weather, a baby’s skin needs moisture. Regular oil massage and a post-bath application of a lightweight, fast-absorbing lotion will help keep the skin hydrated and improve skin texture.
3. Choose Breathable Clothing
The perfect clothing for your baby during the monsoon season is soft, breathable cotton clothes. Avoid dressing the baby in tight or synthetic clothes as it will trap sweat and lead to heat rashes and irritation.
4. Change Diapers Frequently
Diaper rash is quite common during the monsoon. Make sure you change diapers regularly and keep your baby diaper-free for some part of the day to let the skin breathe. Use diaper rash cream with natural ingredients if you notice signs of diaper rash.
5. Maintain Good Hygiene
Your baby needs a bath every day. Make sure you bathe your baby in lukewarm water with a mild cleanser or soap and pat them dry properly. Also wash and dry your baby’s clothes, towels, and bedding material with a safe and gentle baby laundry detergent.
6. Keep Your Baby’s Surroundings Dry
During the monsoon, our houses tend to become a breeding ground for molds and fungus. Clean every nook and corner of your house where your baby can reach. Ensure proper ventilation to keep the air dry and fresh in your baby’s room.
7. Clean Your Baby’s Hands Frequently
Your baby’s hands carry the most germs. They tend to put their hands in their mouths most of the time. To prevent germs from entering their bodies and catch any infection, wipe their hands clean as often as possible.
Monsoons can be a tricky time for parents with babies as they need extra care and attention. However, you can ensure that your baby has a fun and happy monsoon by using baby care products infused with herbal goodness. Moreover, by adopting a consistent routine and maintaining proper hygiene, you can ensure that your child’s skin remains soft, healthy, and resilient throughout the year.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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