Taking care of your baby's skin in spring: A midwife's guide

As the weather begins to warm up from the cold of winter to the warmer weather throughout spring, many families look forward to heading back outside for quality time with their little ones. However, as many families eagerly await the warmer weather, this also means that it is important to take extra care of your baby’s skin. Changes in weather can cause some key concerns for your baby’s skin, including dry skin, eczema, heat rash, sun burn and nappy rash. This blog will explore how we can help ease the transition from winter to summer for our little babies.

Battling the heat: understanding and managing heat rash

Babies skin is more sensitive to changes in weather than adults. As spring brings warmer and more humid weather, heat rashes may occur. You may have noticed that when babies are born, they very rarely sweat and sometimes they can’t sweat at all. This is because babies aren’t born with developed sweat glands, which can make it more likely for them to develop heat rashes. Heat rashes are caused when the underdeveloped sweat glands become blocked, which traps in the sweat under the skin’s surface. Heat rashes often appear as fine l red spots, or if the baby has darker skin, the spots may look brown, purple or grey. Often heat rashes appear in areas where the sweat may become trapped between two areas of skin, such as the neck, underarms, elbows and nappy area.

The main concern with heat rashes is that can be uncomfortable and itchy for your baby’s delicate skin. Here are some tips for preventing and treating heat rash to help keep your baby comfortable:

Choose appropriate clothing:

• • Dress your baby in light breathable clothing. Look for natural fabrics like cotton. Natural fabrics are more breathable because they allow better air circulation, therefore they can help to keep your baby cooler and avoid heat rashes.

• • Making sure that your baby is in loose fitting clothes or even layers that you can take off as the day warms up can help keep your baby cool. This flexibility means that your baby can stay comfortable all day without overheating.

Never cover your pram with a muslin swaddle when outside in the heat:

• • Covering your pram with a muslin swaddle can reduce the airflow which decreases oxygen levels and increases the temperature inside the pram by up to 3.7°C.

• • This can increase the risk of your baby overheating and becoming unwell, as well as reducing visibility of your baby. Instead try to use the pram’s specific hoods which allow for proper ventilation and try to keep your pram in the shade.

Cooling measures:

• • Offer cool baths in the heat of the day. Cool baths at the hottest part of the day can help to lower your baby’s body temperature and provide relief from the heat.

• • You can also use cool face washers to help keep your baby cool. Cool face washes can be used to gently press against your baby’s skin to help cool them down but also provide some comfort from any heat rashes.

Use gentle baby specific products:

• • Make sure that you are using an all-natural baby skincare range, such as b.box body cleanse, to wash your baby. This ensures that you’re not stripping away the natural moisture and protection on your baby’s delicate skin. This can reduce heat rash and skin irritations.

Thorough drying:

• • After you bath your baby, make sure to gently pat their skin dry. It is important to pay special attention to skin folds where moisture can build up. This dampness can contribute to heat rashes, therefore it is essential to keep the skin and these areas as dry as possible

Prevent scratching:

• • Heat rashes can become itchy for babies so it is essential to try and not let them scratch it. To prevent scratching you can try:

• • Keeping your baby’s nails trimmed to minimise and damage from scratching. Try using a nail file instead of scissors as baby’s nails are very thin.

• • Consider using b.box body protect, which is an all-natural, Australian made barrier cream that contains zinc oxide and anti-inflammatory ingredients to help soothe and relieve itchiness.

• • You can try to find soft breathable mittens for your baby to use, although it is important to not use mittens if your baby is already hot.

Remember, that in the heat, it is essential to always keep monitoring your baby to make sure that they are comfortable and do not overheat. Some signs that your baby may be getting too hot or overheating include; fussiness, sweating (especially at the base of the neck) and appearing red in the face.

If notice any of these symptoms, take steps to cool your baby down immediately. This could include, moving to a cooler environment, offering additional fluids (breastmilk, formula or if over 6 months water) and removing excess clothing. The main way to prevent heat rash is to ensure that your baby’s skin remains cool and dry. Therefore, keeping your baby comfortable and reducing the risk of developing heat rash.

If your baby is in discomfort from their heat rash or the heat rash has lasted more than three days, always consult your health professional for specific guidance on your baby’s needs. 

Safeguarding your baby’s skin: sun protection for your little one

Melanin is a pigment in our skin that can help protect it from the sun by absorbing dangerous UV rays that can cause skin damage. Babies haven’t developed all of their melanin yet and therefore are more likely to get burnt in the sun. While, it is essential for baby’s growth and development to enjoy the outdoors together, remember that your baby’s skin is more susceptible to sunburn and UV damage.

Here are some easy to follow measures to help protect your baby’s skin from the sun’s harmful rays:

• • Dress your baby in protective clothing including a hat. Try to opt for a wide brimmed hat to maximise your baby’s sun protection. Make sure that the clothing remains breathable, so that your baby doesn’t overheat.

• • Try to avoid going outside in the heat of the day when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

• • When you’re outside with your baby make sure to try to stay in the shade as much as possible.

• • It is not recommended to use sunscreen on babies under the age of 6 months as their skin is so sensitive.

• • Make sure that your baby is staying hydrated with either breastmilk, formula or water (if over 6 months of age).

   

  
  

  If your baby does get sunburnt, try not to feel bad about it, it happens to all of us!! Here are some tips on what to do if your baby gets sunburnt:

• • Apply cold compress regularly to help your baby with comfort but to also help reduce the risk of overheating.

• • Increase baby’s fluid intake. When babies are sunburnt, their skin can become very dehydrated. This means that it is essential to increase water intake to reduce dehydration.

• • Use b.box body hydrate to moisturise the area and help soothe any sunburns. hydrate is the perfect choice for your baby as it is made of all-natural ingredients that have a soothing effect for your baby. Therefore, helping the skin to heal as well as providing relief for your baby.

• • If your baby gets sunburnt, it is recommended to avoid all sun until the skin has fully recovered.

Choosing suitable products: b.box body's spring skincare solutions

When choosing products to use for your baby, it is essential to use products that are specifically designed for baby’s skin, but even further than that, looking for products that are all-natural and free of all nasties. b.box body has the perfect range of products to enhance your baby’s spring skincare routine. 

Let’s breakdown the b.box body range and how it can help your baby this spring:

1. b.box body’s cleanse for maintaining cool and refreshed skin:

cleanse is an all-natural hair and body wash for your baby that can be used from birth. It contains aloe vera, green tea and Kakadu plum to hydrate your baby’s skin and lock in moisture, which is perfect for helping reduce skin irritations. If your baby has some skin irritation, cleanse has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to help nourish and sooth your baby’s skin irritations.

 2. b.box body’s protect for safeguarding against nappy rash/heat rash:

protect is a mineral based nappy and barrier cream, meaning that that the active ingredient Zinc Oxide provides protection against common skin irritations including nappy rash, eczema and heat rash. Furthermore, the Zinc Oxide, as well as other botanicals featured in protect, such as lavender, Roman chamomile and green tea extract, have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties to nourish and heal the skin. It is recommended to use protect at every nappy change and after bathing or when any patches of skin irritation are seen.

 3. b.box body’s hydrate for nurturing delicate skin and preventing moisture-related issues:

hydrate is one of my favourite everyday products for my kids. It is a moisturiser that is all natural and helps to strengthen the skin’s protective moisture barrier. Not only does it smell divine from the natural Australian Botanicals (yes that’s right there are no nasty fragrances), but it also helps to hydrate and replenish your baby’s skin barrier. We use b.box body cleanse in the bath and then finish our night time routine by a quick, calming massage with hydrate to leave our kids skin silky smooth and reduce any irritation.

 

 

Caring for your baby’s sensitive skin from birth, can help to set them up for great skin health down the track. It is essential to use products that are all natural, allowing you the confidence to know that you are helping nourish and protect your baby’s skin without harsh chemicals.

The b.box body range is safe for babies, pregnancy and the whole family. They are made from Australian botanicals which give the gorgeous aroma without adding any fragrances or synthetics. This spring, grab your b.box body skincare range and help your baby with the transition from winter to spring.

 

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, moving into spring is such an exciting time of year and can be the perfect time for you to create beautiful memories outside with your baby. However, it is essential to remember that with the change of season comes changes to your baby’s delicate skin. By understanding how the change in weather can impact your baby’s skin and addressing concerns like heat rash, sun protection and nappy rash, you can help your baby have an enjoyable spring together with you. Don’t forget to prioritise and integrate a well-informed skincare routine into your baby’s life using the b.box body skincare range. Embracing this new season and the joys it brings, together with creating lasting memories for your baby is the perfect way to positively impact your baby’s skin health and keep them feeling comfortable and happy.    

 

Written By Lauren Brenton Endorsed Midwife and Founder of One Mama Midwife Pty Ltd I’m Loz and I’m an Endorsed Midwife who runs Antenatal Classes in the Sutherland Shire. I have completed a Bachelor of Midwifery and a Master of Midwifery. My favourite area is in the labour ward, this is where you can find me most days. One Mama Midwife came about in the height of Covid in 2020, when so many women were missing out on the chance to have antenatal education. Aimed at empowering you with the tools you require to have the pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey that you want to have, with advice and recommendations you can trust.