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Baby, it’s cold outside, so check out these winter skin-care tips before stepping out with your little darling.
You just can’t keep your hands off your little one’s oh-so-soft skin, and you’d do anything to keep it as silky as the day he was born. But with winter in the air, you need to do more than just bundle up your precious bundle. That’s because a baby’s thinner, more sensitive skin is especially vulnerable to dropping temps and wintry gusts. Here’s what you need to know to ward off the season’s top winter skin-care woes.
FROSTBITE
You’d think all that baby fat would help, but infants lose body heat a lot faster than we do. As a result, they’re more prone to frostbite – especially on their tiny fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks. How can you tell if your tot has been bitten? With frostbite (which is tissue damage caused by extreme cold), the affected area will feel very cold and look white or yellowish-gray.
How to treat: If you spot signs of frostbite, there’s no time to waste. Open up your coat and shirt and tuck your baby next to your skin for warmth. Then get to a doctor or emergency room stat. If that’s not immediately possible, go indoors and begin gradually warming your baby.
Here’s how: Never put your infant next to a radiator, stove, or heater. Instead, soak the affected area in warm-to-the-touch (not hot) water (use your wrist or elbow to gauge how warm it is). If the area is too difficult to soak, use a warm, wet washcloth. Keep soaking or gently applying the washcloth until the color returns to your baby’s skin (about 30 to 60 minutes). And be prepared: As his skin warms, it may become red, swollen, or blistered. Then, if you haven’t already, call your baby’s pediatrician. How to prevent: Air is the best insulator, so dress your little one like an onion. He’ll feel warmer and more comfortable in several layers of light- to medium-weight clothing (think cotton and fleece) than one big heavy outfit. (Layers are also easier to take off inside the car or store.) Last but not least, make sure your baby’s cold-weather gear includes a hat, mittens, cozy socks, boots, and a warm coat or snowsuit.
CHAPPED LIPS AND CHEEKS
When it comes to winter skin care for wee ones, don’t forget those cherub lips and chubby cheeks. Dry air and windy weather can play havoc with a baby’s exposed skin, making chapped lips and cheeks, and even windburn (which looks and feels like sunburn) common winter skin-care problems.
How to treat: The same way you treat dry baby skin on any part of your little one’s body – moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. At least twice a day, smooth some fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotion, cream, or ointment on your baby’s cheeks. And put some made-for-baby lip balm or ointment on your cutie’s chapped lips.
How to prevent: Always moisturize (see above) before you step out with your baby. On blustery days, use a plastic rain cover to keep the wind out of the stroller.
It may be cold outside, but the sun still plays a big role in your baby’s winter skin care. Because snow reflects up to 85 percent of the sun’s harmful rays, babies in a snowy climate can get sunburned, too.
How to treat: Since snow burn is actually caused by the sun, treat the same way you would sunburn.
How to prevent: Make using sunscreen a regular part of your little one’s winter skin-care regimen.
-Internet
Baby, it’s cold outside, so check out these winter skin-care tips before stepping out with your little darling.
You just can’t keep your hands off your little one’s oh-so-soft skin, and you’d do anything to keep it as silky as the day he was born. But with winter in the air, you need to do more than just bundle up your precious bundle. That’s because a baby’s thinner, more sensitive skin is especially vulnerable to dropping temps and wintry gusts. Here’s what you need to know to ward off the season’s top winter skin-care woes.
FROSTBITE
You’d think all that baby fat would help, but infants lose body heat a lot faster than we do. As a result, they’re more prone to frostbite – especially on their tiny fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks. How can you tell if your tot has been bitten? With frostbite (which is tissue damage caused by extreme cold), the affected area will feel very cold and look white or yellowish-gray.
How to treat: If you spot signs of frostbite, there’s no time to waste. Open up your coat and shirt and tuck your baby next to your skin for warmth. Then get to a doctor or emergency room stat. If that’s not immediately possible, go indoors and begin gradually warming your baby.
Here’s how: Never put your infant next to a radiator, stove, or heater. Instead, soak the affected area in warm-to-the-touch (not hot) water (use your wrist or elbow to gauge how warm it is). If the area is too difficult to soak, use a warm, wet washcloth. Keep soaking or gently applying the washcloth until the color returns to your baby’s skin (about 30 to 60 minutes). And be prepared: As his skin warms, it may become red, swollen, or blistered. Then, if you haven’t already, call your baby’s pediatrician. How to prevent: Air is the best insulator, so dress your little one like an onion. He’ll feel warmer and more comfortable in several layers of light- to medium-weight clothing (think cotton and fleece) than one big heavy outfit. (Layers are also easier to take off inside the car or store.) Last but not least, make sure your baby’s cold-weather gear includes a hat, mittens, cozy socks, boots, and a warm coat or snowsuit.
CHAPPED LIPS AND CHEEKS
When it comes to winter skin care for wee ones, don’t forget those cherub lips and chubby cheeks. Dry air and windy weather can play havoc with a baby’s exposed skin, making chapped lips and cheeks, and even windburn (which looks and feels like sunburn) common winter skin-care problems.
How to treat: The same way you treat dry baby skin on any part of your little one’s body – moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. At least twice a day, smooth some fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotion, cream, or ointment on your baby’s cheeks. And put some made-for-baby lip balm or ointment on your cutie’s chapped lips.
How to prevent: Always moisturize (see above) before you step out with your baby. On blustery days, use a plastic rain cover to keep the wind out of the stroller.
It may be cold outside, but the sun still plays a big role in your baby’s winter skin care. Because snow reflects up to 85 percent of the sun’s harmful rays, babies in a snowy climate can get sunburned, too.
How to treat: Since snow burn is actually caused by the sun, treat the same way you would sunburn.
How to prevent: Make using sunscreen a regular part of your little one’s winter skin-care regimen.
-Internet
