Finding a baby's skin peeling in the early weeks of life is certainly a concern for parents. Apa actually what causes baby's skin to peel and how to deal with it?
When you find the baby's skin peeling, you don't need to worry. This is because this condition is normal for newborns. This peeling of the skin occurs due to the loss of the outermost layer of the baby's skin vernix.
Vernix is a thick layer that protects the baby while in the womb. After the baby is born, the layers vernix will slowly go away on its own. This is what makes the baby's skin look flaky in the early weeks of life.
However, the amount of peeling that occurs can vary. This depends on the time of birth of the baby, whether the baby was born prematurely, at term, or late.
Overcoming Peeling Baby's Skin
Even though baby's skin peeling is a normal condition, parents still feel worried when they find their baby's skin peeling, cracked, and too dry. Here are some things you can do to deal with peeling skin on your little one:
1. Don't bathe the baby for too long
In addition to making cold and colds, bathing the baby for too long can also make the natural oils in his skin disappear. So, just bathe your little one for 5 or 10 minutes.
When bathing your little one, avoid using water that is too hot, because it can dry out the skin even more. There is also no need to always use soap when bathing your little one, unless the skin is very dirty. If you want to bathe him with soap, use soap that is specifically for babies.
2. Apply moisturizer
If the skin looks dry and peeling, you can apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer to your little one's skin after bathing him or at least 2 times a day to keep his skin moisturised. Also give a gentle massage when applying moisturizer to facilitate the process of exfoliating your little one's skin.
3. Use soft products
Make sure the products used for your little one have gentle ingredients, so their skin doesn't get irritated. Avoid using skin care products that contain perfume or fragrance.
4. Avoid exposure to cold air
Cold air is not very good for baby's skin, because exposure to cold air can make the skin dry and easy to peel. If you want to take your little one out of the house, make sure the skin is tightly covered. You can protect your little one from the cold by putting on socks, gloves, or a baby blanket.
5. Make sure your little one is well hydrated
Making sure your little one stays well hydrated can help relieve dry and flaky skin. Even so, do not give water to babies who have not reached the age of 6 months, unless advised by a doctor.
As an additional tip, avoid using regular detergents to wash baby clothes. Use a detergent that is specifically for baby's sensitive skin. Also, separate the washing of clothes, sheets, and baby blankets from the laundry of adults.
If your little one's skin seems to be peeling more and more or the peeling doesn't stop within a few weeks, you should take your little one to the pediatrician. The doctor will check whether this peeling of the skin is normal or caused by a disorder.
