Caring for a baby can be intimidating. They have delicate skin, hair and nails. Caring for a Black child’s skin and hair can be even more challenging because they tend to have sensitive skin that is prone to dryness and dark spots and hair that is kinky and can tangle easily. Luckily, according to an expert from the American Academy of Dermatology, there are six simple steps that can make it easier to care for your child’s skin, hair and nails.
“With their tiny hands and feet, babies can seem so fragile and vulnerable,” dermatologist Dr. Kachiu Lee says. “However, babies are more resilient than you might think, and parents can maintain good hygiene for their baby by following a few general guidelines.”
Bathing
Keep your baby clean with gentle bathing two to three times a week. Do sponge baths until your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off and heals. Then, you can switch to traditional baths.
Use lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free baby soap and shampoo. Apply soap only to dirty areas, such as creases in the neck and diaper area, and rinse off thoroughly after cleaning.
Be careful to not let your child spend too much time in a soapy tub as it can dry out their skin.
Black skin tends to be drier. Excessively dry skin can become itchy and uncomfortable. Regular use of a gentle moisturizer can soothe and protect dry skin. Dry flakes on darker skin may give an “ashy” appearance and can be commonly found on the elbows, knees, legs, feet, and back.
BabyCenter recommends the following for easing dryness with moisturizer:
- Look for a moisturizer that’s free of harsh or toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.
- Look for products that are free of alcohol and perfume, which can dry and irritate the skin. Use thicker creams, rather than thin lotions, to treat ashy skin.
- Moisturizers with ceramides are especially helpful in hydrating the skin.
- Apply the moisturizer within minutes of taking your baby out of the tub to seal in the moisture that’s still in his or her skin from the bath.
- If your baby’s skin becomes excessively dry and store-bought moisturizer isn’t helping, consult a doctor, who may recommend a medicated lotion, cream, or ointment.
Diapering
Change dirty diapers as soon as possible, even if they are just wet, to prevent diaper rash. If a diaper rash develops, be gentle when cleaning the diaper area and apply a zinc oxide diaper cream.
Additionally, to avoid a diaper rash, DESITIN® recommends the following:
- Keep baby’s skin clean and dry
- Allow diaper area to dry before reapplying diaper
- Protect your baby’s tender skin with a diaper rash treatment
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Caring for nails
Since newborns do not yet have control of their movements, they may scratch or claw at their face. Trim your baby’s nails whenever they get sharp to prevent scratches. Use a nail file or emery board to create a rounded, not jagged, shape.
Here are some tips from MedlinePlus:
- Clean the baby’s hands, feet, and nails during regular bathing.
- Another option is to trim nails carefully with baby nail scissors that have blunt rounded tips or baby nail clippers.
- Do NOT use adult-sized nail clippers. You could clip the tip of the baby’s finger or toe instead of the nail.
Baby’s nails tend to grow rather quickly, so you may have to cut the fingernails at least once a week. Toenails can be cut a couple of times per month.
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Hair Care
Since Black hair doesn’t produce as much oil, you should wash your baby’s hair once a week with a mild baby shampoo. This will avoid your baby’s natural oils being stripped, which can leave their hair dry, brittle and frizzy.
Black hair can also be kinky and tangle easily, so it is important that you comb the tangles out carefully to avoid breakage.
Try these tips:
- Use a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristle brush.
- Never try to comb out kinky hair when it’s dry.
- Apply a small amount of oil or cream moisturizer to help detangle the hair.
It is also important to moisturize your baby’s hair weekly to keep it soft and manageable. Which regimen works best for your child will depend on their hair structure and texture. This may involve a bit of experimenting.
Here are some options to try:
- Look for a natural product such as jojoba oil, emu oil, avocado oil, virgin coconut oil, or almond oil at natural food stores.
- Create your own moisturizer by mixing a light oil (sweet almond oil or light virgin olive oil) with natural ingredients (rosemary or lavender).
- Distribute a small amount of the moisturizer onto your fingertips and gently sweep it through the hair and onto the scalp.
Laundering
Wash baby blankets, sheets and clothing before and after use, using fragrance-free detergents.
You should wash your baby’s clothing separate, especially if the following is true:
- They have eczema or sensitive skin
- Someone in your household works around dangerous chemicals
- You prefer heavily scented detergent
Sun protection
Shade is the best protection. If there’s no natural shade, use an umbrella, canopy or stroller hood. Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing, including a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, pants, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection.
Minimal use of sunscreen is advised for children younger than 6 months of age, but you can apply a small amount of sunscreen to all skin not covered by clothing if shade and adequate clothing aren’t available.
Use sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection, water resistance and an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming.
“Maintaining healthy skincare habits during infancy, such as protecting your baby from the sun, can have a long-lasting impact on your child’s health,” Lee shares.
Caring for a newborn can be intimidating, especially if you are a first-time parent. But, if you’re worried that just means you care and are already thinking like a parent with their child’s best interest in mind. Hopefully, these tips will ease your mind a bit.