• Skin Exposure

Winter can do damage to a baby's sensitive skin. Things like dry indoor air and cold outdoor temperatures can lead to chapping, redness, and irritation. Dr. Terri A. Kahn, section head of pediatric dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, recommends the following for keeping your baby's skin healthy:

• Use extra care for runny noses. If a cold has left your little guy's nose constantly running, avoid chapping and irritation by applying a small amount of Vaseline or to the area just below the nose a few times per day. (These two products also work well at removing dried nasal mucus that accumulates below the nose overnight or during a nap.) When wiping the nose, use a tissue made with moisturizing lotion, such as Kleenex. Since infants with eczema may carry bacteria in their nose, if you notice scabbing around the nostrils and mouth following a runny nose, call your pediatrician who can prescribe a topical antibiotic to help clear the infection.

• Don't Overheat Your Infant. Babies under 6 months can't regulate their body temperatures as well as adults, which is why you'll want to dress them in one layer more than what you're comfortable in. However, an infant that has too many layers will become overheated, which can irritate the skin, and lead to prickly heat. Prickly heat causes little red, itchy, pus bumps on the upper trunk and body folds. These often clear up in a few days. In the meantime, give your baby some relief by applying a cool wash cloth to the affected area and allowing skin to get some air.

• Take Care with Clothing. If your infant is prone to eczema, you'll definitely want to take the following precautions (even eczema-free infants will benefit from these tips): Try to choose dye-free clothing and avoid synthetic fabrics. White or pastel-colored, cotton clothing are best for baby. Wash clothes with a detergent-free cleanser. Don't use dryer sheets, which leave an irritating film on clothing. If you want to use fabric softener, add it to the rinse cycle and double rinse.

Playing it Safe in the Sun
Beth Weinhouse, for Your Baby Today states “When the days grow longer and the sun warmer, most families can't wait to take to the outdoors. But when there's an infant in the family, being outside requires special precautions. In fact, most pediatricians advise keeping infants out of direct sunlight entirely. Infant skin is thinner and more delicate than adults', or even than older children's. And because the skin's sun protection mechanism isn't fully developed yet, newborn and infant skin burns more easily. Even babies with darker skin need to be protected.”

While keeping a baby indoors all summer may be ideal from a medical point of view, it’s not always practical. Very few babies spend an entire summer indoors. So if you plan to be outside with your baby this summer, learn how to protect your little one so they can have safe fun in the sun also. Dermatologists caution that the damage from the sun can be cumulative. Most people receive up to 80 percent of their lifetime exposure to the sun before age eighteen. Begin a sun protection program early and you will help protect babies from sunburn now and from skin cancer later.

Sun Exposure Limits

• When possible, try to avoid being outdoors in direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Plan your walks for the early morning or late afternoon.
• Buy a carriage/stroller with a canopy top that can be adjusted to protect your child from the sun, no matter which direction the rays are coming from.
• Use window shades in the back seat of your car to provide shade for your baby while you're driving.
• Keep a sun shade/umbrella in the trunk of your car to be used at the beach or park etc.
• Check your baby frequently to make sure he's out of direct sunlight. The angle of the sun will shift over the course of a day, so even the most carefully positioned umbrella or stroller shade will have to be constantly adjusted.

Most doctors recommend applying a sunscreen between 15 to 30 SPF one-half hour before exposure to the sun.

Dressing Properly

Even shade is not total protection from the sun, since the sun's rays can be reflected off many surfaces, such as sun and sand. Dressing babies properly will help protect them even when they're not exposed to direct sunlight.

• Choose clothes that cover the arms and legs. Loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibers, like cotton, will help keep your baby cooler.
• Tightly woven fabrics are more protective than loose weaves.
• Sunglasses don't just look cool; they also help protect babies' eyes. Find infant shades that say on the label that they block at least 99 percent of the sun's rays.
• ALWAYS put a hat on a baby who's going to be outdoors in the summer sun. The hat should cover the top of the head and should have a wide brim in front to shade the face. Hats with soft cloth neck flaps are ideal.

What to carryi n the trunk of your car:

• Umbrella stroller or backpack
• Sand toys for trips to the park or beach
• A blanket, large towel or play mat for the park or beach
• Sunscreen – SPF value 15-30
• First-aid kit in small plastic box stored in your trunk, stash the following
• A few small toys and books
• Change of clothes, sweater
• Drinks (i.e. juice boxes, small water bottles, packets of formula)

Non-perishable snacks (i.e. fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, cheerios, crackers or other foods which you can store in a covered plastic tub)

What to carry in your diaper bag:

• Minimum of 6 diapers
• Travel container full of baby wipes
• Small plastic changing mat
• Several small plastic bags (i.e. sealable storage or grocery) for soiled diapers
• Diaper-rash ointment
• 2 bibs
• Spare pacifier if your baby uses one
• Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

Once or twice a week, check your supplies and restock as necessary. Be sure to put a tag with your name and phone number on your diaper bag in case you accidentally leave it away from home.

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