As a parent, keeping your baby warm and nourished should be on your top list. But baby skin care is just as important.

Your infant’s delicate skin requires lots of tender treatment. You need to pamper and protect her from head to toe. Their skin is pure, supple and very sensitive that’s why they need the mildest touch.

How to Clean your infants:

• Stick to sponge baths until your newborn’s umbilical-cord stump falls off.
• Do not use adult soaps on your baby. This may cause dryness and irritations especially when your child’s prone to eczema.
• Mild body washes and shampoos are good for infants. If rashes appear, go to your pediatrician immediately.
• You can bathe your infant every other day to prevent dry skin. Always make sure that you clean her diaper area frequently and wipe the drool from her chin to prevent irritation.Don’t use baby products during the first few months. Their immune system is just developing and they are prone to have asthma or allergies if products are used.
• To remove the cradle cap, you can use baby oil and gently rub it on your newborn’s scalp and leave it for 10 minutes. Using a wet washcloth or soft comb, wipe away the loosened scale.

It is also important that you give your infant a gentle massage for a healthy skin. It makes them feel loved and accepted. This massage triggers hormones that will help boost immunity, and fight sickness. Simply put baby oil or lotion in your hands and then gently rub it in your infant’s chest and tummy.

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Infant Massage

Baby’s busy schedule

I promised I’d keep everyone informed on this, so I wanted to check in.  I’m sure you’ve heard by now that the World Health Organization has upgraded the alert status for H1N1 Influenza to 5 (out of 6).  What that means is that H1N1, which we call Swine Flu, is in danger of becoming a pandemic.  A pandemic is a disease which spreads to many or most countries on the globe. 

I said it before and I’ll say it again.  Do not panic.  The numbers of those who’ve fallen ill from this are extremely low, even if it has spread beyond the borders of Mexico into several other countries.  Yes, it should be taken seriously, but a lot of the fear we feel is manufactured by the media; don’t let the constant repetition ratchet up your anxiety level. 

H1N1 is comparable to any other type of flu that humans can get; the big difference is that we haven’t built up much of an immunity to this particular strain.  However, it presents like any other flu and is treated like any other flu. 

Here’s what the CDC says the symptoms of Swine Flu are:

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 

Just like regular flu, right?  Of course, regular flu is no walk in the park, and the same people who are most at risk for that illness are at risk for this one, namely, the elderly, small children, and those whose health is already compromised. 

Just remember, wash your hands and make your kids wash their hands often, and if anyone in the family exhibits any of those symptoms, they should stay home.  Don’t risk going to work or school if you’re feeling bad. 

And remember, again…this is not a pandemic and we can help prevent it.  Don’t panic.

Image from cnbc.com