Is baby care in summer different from baby care in winter? Are you wondering how you should take care of your child's skin at this time of the year, how often to bathe them, what cosmetics to moisturize the skin with and what to do when you get chafing, rash, cradle cap or prickly heat? Here is a practical toddler care guide that will be useful not only in summer.

Taking care of a baby in the summer , especially when it is hot, requires paying special attention to the baby's skin and preventing overheating. However, these are not the only aspects that are important in the daily care of a child.

A is for ATOPIC SKIN Dermatitis

In infants, it usually starts around 2-3. month of life. It manifests as a rash on the face - the cheeks are red, rough and shiny. The rash can also appear in the bends of the elbows and knees, as well as behind the ears. The skin is very itchy - the baby is scratching, which may lead to infection. In summer, the symptoms of the disease sometimes disappear and sometimes they can get worse - it all depends on whether the child is oversensitive to the sun or whether his skin reacts normally to heat and UV rays. In the first case, try to walk with your child in the shade, and before going out, lubricate them generously with sunscreen with a mineral filter with the highest protective factor (50+). If your baby responds well to the sun, you can use cosmetics with modern chemical filters (Tinosorb) that do not penetrate the skin - more and more baby creams have them. It is also important to dress a little atopic person properly, because the symptoms of atopic dermatitis can worsen under the influence of sweat. The baby should wear airy clothes made of natural fabrics - linen or cotton. If your child has fresh scabs on their skin or has scratched their lesions, wear long pants and a long-sleeved blouse - these areas may become discolored under the influence of the sun.

B for SECURITY

When babysitting or bathing your baby, never leave him alone - even when he is lying on a changing bag with side protection, or there is only a little water in the bathtub. Before you put your baby in the bath, make sure the water is not too warm. During the bath, support the baby's back and head so that it does not slip out of your hands, and the bottom of the bathtub should be covered with a non-slip mat, a small towel or a nappy cloth.For bathing and care, use only infant formulas that are approved for use from birth. Such cosmetics do not smell and contain small amounts of preservatives, so they do not sensitize or cause irritation. If you want to be sure that they are safe and thoroughly tested, look for products with a positive opinion of the Children's He alth Center or the Institute of Mother and Child.

C for SHADOW

These are greasy, yellowish scales that cover the baby's head. There may be few of them, but they can also tightly shell most of the skin under the hairs. Cradle cap is the result of mom's hormones that circulate in the baby's body for some time after birth. The scales must not be scraped off. If there are few of them, brush them with olive oil a quarter of an hour before bathing and wait until they soften, then brush out the hair with a soft brush and wash the baby's head. If there are a lot of them, use a special cradle cap preparation to care for the baby's skin. Such cosmetics contain plant extracts that inhibit the excessive secretion of sebum, as well as oiling substances that accelerate the delamination of scales. Some of these preparations can only be applied for a quarter of an hour, others need to be left overnight and the head should be washed the next morning.

D for GUMS

Wash them for your baby from the very first day of his life - you will have no problem getting your baby used to washing the teeth afterwards. Once or twice a day, rub your child's gums with a damp gauze pad wound around their index finger.

E for EMOLIENTS

These are ointments, creams, bath lotions and olives that lubricate the skin, bind water in it, regenerate the hydro-lipid coat and soothe itching caused by excessive drying. They effectively moisturize and nourish the skin, restoring its lipid balance. They can be used both for bathing and caring for the baby's skin after bathing it.

You must do it

Before going for a walk, be sure to apply sunscreen to your baby. Cosmetics for babies contain mineral filters that reflect UV radiation from the skin. Some creams for toddlers also have new generation chemical filters, the particles of which are so large that they do not penetrate the skin, but form a protective shield on its surface. Important: choose cosmetics with the highest possible filter (minimum SPF 30) that protects against both UVB and UVA.

F is for SKIN FOLD

At this time of the year, pay close attention to them. They accumulate dirt, exfoliated epidermis, and in the folds by the groin also remains of feces. All this can - under the influence of high temperature and lackaccess of fresh air - lead to inflammation, therefore these places should be cleaned frequently. During each diaper change, wash the folds near the genitals, and when bathing your baby, remember about the folds at the neck, on the arms and legs. Then dry them thoroughly and grease them with olive oil.

G is for HEAD

On hot days, you should wash it every day. It is best to do this right before taking a bath. Place the undressed child on the changing table, covering it with a towel. Moisten the hair with warm water and apply shampoo on it. Massage it over the hair and rinse it thoroughly after putting your baby in the bathtub. When you take the baby out of the bathtub, do not rub the hair with a towel, but gently squeeze the excess water, and then comb it with a soft brush. Wet hair will dry quickly.

H for INTIMATE HYGIENE

You have to take care of it in the summer. Thoroughly clean your baby's bottom after each diaper change, even if he only pee (just wipe the skin with wet wipes). In a girl's case, wash the labia with a downward movement towards the anus. For the boy, do not pull the foreskin off, just gently uncover the opening of the urethra and wash it. Pay attention to the nooks and crannies around the scrotum and under the penis. Finally, brush the bottom with anti-chafing cream. Be careful not to put it on the mucosa as it is very delicate and the cosmetic could irritate it.

J is for DISPOSABLE NIPPERS

In summer, choose them carefully - it's important that their outer layer is airy, otherwise the baby's bottom will quickly burn in them. When buying diapers, pay attention to the size - they are selected according to the child's weight. A baby that is too small will put pressure on it, and too big a baby will leak. Diapers should have elastic bands on the legs to prevent the contents from escaping, and Velcro at the waist to fit them around the waist.

K for BATH

In warm weather, you should bathe your baby every day. Even when it is hot outside, the bath water should be kept at 37ºC. Do not bathe the baby with the windows open or in a place prone to drafts. If you are on holiday, the bathtub can be replaced by an inflatable pool. You can also try to bathe your baby in the shower cabin. Thoroughly wash the cabin beforehand and rinse it with detergent residues. Then put a towel on it. Plug the drain of the shower tray and pour in the appropriate amount of water. If there is no plug in the booth, adjust the temperature of the water flowing from the shower to be warm, but not too hot. Put your baby in the booth and bathe as you usually do at home. You can handle the bath yourself, but if you want to wash your baby's head as well, you will need the help of another person to rinse the baby.Italian.

L as BATH CHAIN ​​

It will come in handy when you are afraid that the baby will slip out of your hands while bathing. The stores have special deckchairs with a metal frame covered with fabric, as well as plastic bath seats on which you can lay your child. A bouncer is also useful on vacation, if you don't take the bathtub with you. By putting your baby on a deckchair, it will be easier for you to bathe him outside the house, e.g. in a hotel shower cabin.

Ł for peeling skin

This problem usually affects babies who are born late, although sometimes flaking is a sign of atopic dermatitis. Usually, it is enough to oil it with an olive or emollient (about emollients on the previous page) to make the problem go away. If this is not the case, see your pediatrician who will assess whether the problem is serious and advise you what to do.

M for BODY MILK

This cosmetic is essential in summer. Apply them every day after bathing, and whenever you feel your baby has dry, rough skin. Milk is more economical than cream - it has a thin, non-greasy consistency, so to thoroughly lubricate the baby's body, a portion the size of a hazelnut is enough. If you take too much of it, you may have trouble massaging the cosmetic in. Practical to use is a milk in a package with a pump.

N is for MOISTURIZING and LUBRICATING

The skin of babies is immature, has a poorly developed hydro-lipid layer that would protect it against water loss. That is why it is usually dry and requires special care. If your baby's skin is very dry and rough to the touch, you should lubricate it. Use a special emollient for bathing, and after bathing, lubricate it with olive oil or a fatty cream for children. You can also use ordinary olive oil, necessarily "extra virgin", that is, cold-pressed. If the baby's skin is not dry, it is enough to apply a moisturizing lotion on a regular basis.

O for BURNS

Slight redness around the anus is painful and can turn into diaper dermatitis. To prevent them, change the baby's nappy often. When transporting the skin on your bottom, wash it with water or clean it with wet wipes, and then rub it with anti-chafing cream. If they do occur, let your baby lie down without a nappy as often as possible, as fresh air helps to reduce this ailment.

P is for CASH

These are tiny bubbles filled with a clear liquid. They most often appear in skin folds, on the back, neck, thighs. They arise from overheating when sweat stopsin the immature mouths of the sweat glands. The sweat will go away on its own, but it is a sign that the baby is being dressed too warm.

R is for CHAMOMILE

One of the most popular ingredients in baby cosmetics, but also the most controversial. It has antibacterial properties, soothes irritations, and accelerates wound healing. Cool chamomile infusion (pour a cup of chamomile over a glass of boiling water, cover for fifteen minutes and cool), you can rinse the baby's eyes. In the past, chamomile infusion was added to every bath. Currently, some pediatricians advise against such baths, as chamomile can cause allergies in large amounts. The one in cosmetics is safe because it has been specially prepared. Chamomile is also found in teas for babies - it reduces abdominal pain and soothes.

S like SHAMPOO

It is useful if the baby has an extremely thick hair - otherwise you can wash his head with bath gel or 2-in-1 lotion. Baby shampoo should come from children's cosmetic lines - it must be gentle, it must not sting the eyes . Look for products that can be used from the first days of life. Ideally, it should have a positive opinion of the Children's Memorial He alth Institute or the Institute of Mother and Child.

T is for BABY ACNE

Purulent pimples on the face, reminiscent of acne in adolescents, appear for the same reason as cradle cap - maternal hormones circulating in the child's body stimulate the sebaceous glands to work. Lumps must not be squeezed out. The baby's face should be gently rinsed with boiled water and then dried with a disposable towel. After a few days, the problem should disappear by itself.

U for EARS

You don't have to wash them every day - once every two or three days is enough. Only the auricles are washed with a wet swab. Do not try to remove earwax from the ear canals, as this may damage them or push the earwax deeper.

W is for MOIST WIPES

It's worth having them with you now. They are made of elastic fibers and soaked in skin cleansing and nourishing substances - camomile balm, olive, aloe vera, and sometimes even a moisturizing cream. They also contain small amounts of preservatives - it is easy to transfer microorganisms to the packaging during transportation. They can be roughly divided into two groups: odorless and slightly perfumed. The first was created for the delicate skin of newborns and allergic children. The second type is intended for toddlers who are already one month old and have no skin problems. The wipes must be properly stored so that they can be used as long as possible. They should not lie in a sunny place(they will dry quickly), and you should carefully close the packaging after each use.

Z is for CHANGE DIAPER

In summer there is a rule: the more often the better. When the baby has pooped, change the nappy immediately, and when the nappy is only wet, every 2-3 hours. The best thing to do is to change the baby on a changing bag, on which you can put the necessary accessories - a clean nappy, wet wipes and a nappy cream. If the baby pee, unfasten the diaper, then lift the bottom with your hand underneath it (never lift the baby by the feet!), And take the nappy out, then wipe the skin with a damp tissue and rub with nappy cream. When the baby has pooped, unbutton the nappy, wipe the skin with a damp tissue and then take the nappy off. Then thoroughly wash your baby's bottom, apply anti-chafing cream and put on a new diaper.

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