Mothers tend to become human encyclopedias baby care after having read all the articles or books and seen all the videos that exist. And while every science and fact is broken down by most of these avenues, one conversation that’s not as focused as it should be is understanding the process of developing your baby skin and how, as mothers, you can stimulate this process.

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First, let’s understand some fundamentals when it comes to newborn skin, and then we can look at some simple ways we can take better care of our little ones. The skin is the largest organ in the human body and forms a physical barrier that protects us from the environment. Our skin protects us from the invasion of microorganisms, regulates our body temperature, water loss and also provides protection against harmful UV rays from the sun.

It is important to note here that there are three major differences between adult skin and newborn skin, which makes newborn skin care specific and unique.

1. Maturation of the skin of infants begins immediately after birth and ends in the first year of life. This continuous development process makes baby’s skin more sensitive to temperature changes and can lead to excessive sweating and excessive drying in hot and cold climates respectively.

2. Baby’s skin is thinner than the average adult skin, which means it is more permeable and loses moisture easily, resulting in drought. It is less effective as a barrier against the environment or pathogens that can lead to infections and rashes.

3. Baby skin also has less lipids and more acidity than adult skin, which makes it fragile and vulnerable to damage and dryness.

Massage with nourishing oil

These factors make it all the more important to provide the nourishment and protection for baby’s precious skin. To help build and nourish your little one’s skin, my mantra would be “oil massage with good nourishing oil”. The benefits of touch and massage therapy are now largely evidence-based. Massage with lubricating oil has been shown to be more beneficial than simple touch therapy. It not only improves skin barrier function and thermoregulation, but is also suggested to have a positive effect on growth and neurological development. Therefore, choosing the right oil goes a long way towards developing your baby’s skin, and using virgin coconut baby oil has been confirmed to be the best in many studies.

Virgin coconut baby oil

Virgin coconut baby oil is a rich source of several nutrients also found in breast milk, making it one of the best natural baby skin care products. Its main advantage lies in its ability to be absorbed up to 10 layers deep into the baby’s skin and nourish it deeply. On the other hand, regular creams and lotions are designed to moisturize only the top layer of skin. Frequent application of virgin coconut baby oil will also help build your baby’s skin lipid barrier and lay the foundation for healthy skin for years to come.

This oil is clinically proven to make baby’s skin soft and plump, give it a healthy glow and prevent breakouts due to dry skin. It also has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that protect the skin from infections. Now that you know all the benefits of virgin coconut baby oilgently massage your baby with rhythmic movements and soak up all the benefits.

(The author is MD, Pediatrics.)

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