Baby Skin and Scalp Care during Monsoons

The first time I took my daughter in my arms I couldn’t help but notice how soft her skin was... just like butter! Babies are blessed with an amazingly soft skin which also, at the same time, is extremely sensitive and needs constant care and attention.
The hot and humid months can lead to a lot of skin-related problems in babies such as rashes, heat boils, dandruff etc. however such problems can be easily avoided by following some simple baby skin care practices at home.
Dry scalp, dandruff and cradle cap issues in babies
Dandruff occurs very commonly in babies. A lot of times babies especially newborns develop a more advanced form of dandruff which makes their scalp look scaly. I was tempted to buy over-the-counter shampoos to cure this scaly scalp but my pediatrician suggested a more easier and beneficial care routine to treat dandruff and scaly scalp.
Things you need: - Coconut oil, Soft Baby Brush (I used Chicco baby comb and brush set)
Steps:-
1. Apply coconut oil on baby’s scalp and leave it for 2-3 hours
2. Wash baby’s hair with shampoo to remove oil from the hair/scalp
3. Dry the scalp after wash
4. Comb out the scaly dandruff with the baby comb and brush
These simple steps will not only help you in removing the scaly scalp and dandruff in your baby’s hair but also prevent it from coming back. One small advice- never leave oil on baby’s hair for more than 2-3 hours, it leads to dirt assimilation and clogging of essential pores in baby’s scalp. Also, do not try to pinch out the scaly scalp... it can hurt your baby.
Diaper Rash
The humid season can lead to a lot of rashes for babies, diaper rash being one of them. My baby has been using a diaper since day one but at the same time I have had to take a lot of precautions to prevent any rash due to diaper usage in my daughter.
1. Never leave a diaper on for more than 2-3 hours. Prolonged use of diapers can lead to itchy skin and cuts on babies’ sensitive areas.
2. Give the baby 2-3 hours of diaper free time in morning and evening. A lot of my friends manage without a diaper at home and have restricted the use of diapers only for the night or for going out. Sounds messy but yes it can be done!
3. Washing habit after the baby poops – try to wash the baby after he/she poops instead of cleaning up with a wet wipe. This small activity goes a long way in preventing any rash due to diapers.
Just make sure your baby is clean and dry at all times and bid adieu to diaper rash.

Skin care
Hot and humid conditions call for making sure your baby’s skin is not too dry or too moist. Dryness can lead to heat boils and small red rashes especially on face. There are plenty of baby creams available in the market to avoid dryness. If you don’t like using cream, home-made butter can be a good option. An everyday massage with olive oil before bath time is also a very good option to maintain a soft, problem free baby skin. It helps to remove small dirt particles and provides a good bonding opportunity for mothers as well.
Hope these small suggestions will help you sail through the coming seasons free of painful rashes and other baby skin issues.
Wishing you all the very best!