Preventive Skin Care for Infants – II

MAINTAIN A SUITABLE LEVEL OF HYDRATION

A number of factors including dry weather and excessively frequent cleansing can cause dehydration of the skin, while infrequent changing of the diaper may cause excessive hydration and the development of bacteria and fungi.
* Apply baby powder regularly to absorb excessive moisture.
* Change diaper frequently and clean soiled areas with mild cleansers.
* Apply moisturizers regularly to areas of dry skin.

REDUCE FRICTION

Friction between skin and clothes, diapers, or another skin surface is a common problem during the early stages of development.
* Separate the surfaces: in the case of clothing, soft, loose-fitting garments should be preferred over tight, coarse fabrics.
* Apply lubricants such as baby powder or oils between opposing surfaces to reduce friction.

MINIMIZE CHANGES IN BACTERIAL FLORA

Microbial colonization of the infant’s skin begins immediately after birth. The bacterial flora rarely cause infections unless the skin has an open wound or its natural acid mantle has been damaged.
* Take proper care of open wounds, e.g., the umbilicus or circumcision sites.
* Clean the infant’s skin thoroughly with a mild and pH-balanced baby bath.

AVOID EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO THE SUN

Because of the relative lack of melanin, infants are extremely susceptible to sunburn and thus to a number of problems related to the drying out of the skin.
* Limit the infant’s exposure to the sun, and avoid any exposure between 10 am and 2 pm.
* Dress infants in a wide-brimmed hats and loose protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
* Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 and titanium dioxide.

Preventive Skin Care for Infants I

AVOID CONTACT WITH IRRITATING AGENTS

The increased frequency of skin lesions caused by friction between clothing and the infant’s skin offers an easy passage for irritants.
* Avoid exposing the infant to common irritants such as harsh soaps and products containing alcohol.
* Prevent the development of skin lesions in vulnerable areas – especially around the diaper – by application of appropriate skin care products.

REDUCE CONTACT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IRRITANTS

Close contact with urine and feces in the diaper area is a frequent cause of primary irritation.
* Change diapers frequently and clean skin with gentle cleansing agent.
* Use infant skin care products to provide a barrier against direct contact with the irritants, and to reduce friction and prevent penetration of irritant substances.

AVOID EXPOSURE OF EYES TO IRRITANTS

As the newborn blinks less frequently and has a very low level of tear secretion, the eyes are extremely vulnerable to irritants.
* Keep infants away from areas of smoke or air pollution.
* Use infant cleansers and avoid any cleanser containing soap or alcohol.
* Wash hair in a mild shampoo.

PREVENT HIGH BODY TEMPERATURES

With a relatively high metabolic-rate, infants produce more body heat than adults. However, their ability to dissipate heat through sweating is severely restricted during the first two years of life.
* Avoid high temperatures.
* Avoid overdressing infants.
* Apply a soothing baby powder to help reduce body temperature.
* Avoid exposing infants to sudden changes in temperature that may cause cold or a chill.

How to Manage Tantrums

We’ve all faced it at some time or the other. A howling, screaming toddler yelling for that toy or chocolate while you stand watching embarrassed and wishing for the ground to open up and swallow you. But don’t worry. You aren’t alone. Tantrums and toddlers generally go hand in hand. It is a part of growing up and as with nearly all things toddler related, will surely pass. So, till then, here are a few ways to cope with toddler tantrums. 1. Stay calm. I know it is easier said than done. However, if you, too, lose your cool there will be more yelling than ever. So, stay calm and in control. 2. Distract your toddler and show him something that will catch his attention and yet not be something that he’ll want. The birds in the sky, a tree, a lovely flower anything to divert him will be good. 3. Hold him close and rock him. Offer him a drink of water or something to eat. Usually toddlers throw tantrums when they are tired, hungry or thirsty. 4. Walk away. If your toddler is throwing a tantrum in the middle of the supermarket and all other calming efforts have failed, walk away. Chances are your toddler will follow you. Don’t disappear from sight since that will really worry the little one but just make sure he gets the message. For more on dealing with tantrums, do read Parenting Toddlers. It will give you more tips and advice on how to handle toddlers.

Teaching Children to Buy the Right Kind of Gifts

With the holiday season upon us, it is only natural that we want to make sure that we buy the right gifts for everyone in our family. So, how does one teach kids to buy the right kind of gifts ? With the amount of information that is available to us through the Internet, it is indeed possible and easy to find out the latest in technology, home improvement, cooking and reading and use that information to pick the best gifts for every one in the family.

To buy gadgets for the techno-savvy friends and family members, help kids to read up product reviews and lists of Top 2009 gadgets on websites such as Digital Trends and CNet. The articles Five Great Christmas Gifts for Dad and Gifts for the Guys in Your Life will give you helpful tips and ideas on how to buy great “guy” gifts.

Personalizing gifts adds a wonderful touch and once you’ve decided what to buy, you may want to personalize it. Alternatively, you can buy a lovely decorative that comes with a personal message. Things Remembered offers great deals on personalized gifts. Remember, a gift must be thoughtful and appropriate. Don’t just pick up any thing for the sake of gifting. Spend some time with kids  in choosing the right gift and everyone will have a wonderful time opening their presents.  For more on buying the perfect gift, do read Personalized Gifts for Moms, Simple Gifts for Grandparents and New Baby Gift Baskets.

Simple Ways to Create a Nursery

Bringing baby home means having a room for baby’s sleeping and living. While it may seem nice to have a fancy nursery with a lot of frills, it isn’t always possible due to the dents it may make in your budget. So, can new parents still have a nice nursery for their baby without breaking the bank? The answer, happily, is yes! Here are some simple ways to create a warm and welcoming nursery for your darling.

 1. Choose sensible and durable baby furniture. Baby does not need fancy furniture, however what she will need is a durable and comfortable crib, a bouncer to relax and play in and a bath tub. Stick to basics but ensure that the quality is great. For outdoors, baby will need a stroller and a car seat.

2. Invest in a few quality sheets and blankets for baby’s crib. Towels and other linen too can be bought in limited quantity. Remember that you will be washing them often and also, will receive quite a few in gifts.

3. Decorate the nursery with colorful yet soothing pictures and plush toys. Avoid cluttering it up with too many things since that will only irritate baby’s delicate senses.

4. Check out websites that offer good deals on baby items. Click Here for the lowest priced baby items online

For more ideas on decorating a nursery, do read Baby Room Decorating.

Keeping the House Safe for Babies

When my daughter was born, I didn’t really think about baby proofing the house. However, as she grew and started crawling, I began to realize that my seemingly safe home actually held a lot of dangers for a crawling baby who tends to poke her fingers into everything and put everything into her mouth. So, began my baby proofing project and I began to pay attention to making the house actually safe for a small baby. Here are a few ways in which you, too, can baby proof the home and make it safe and secure for a crawling infant.

1. Remove heavy and breakable items from tabletops and counters. Babies who crawl will be fascinated by things they see on tables. Reaching up and pulling them down will only result in accidents and broken curios. So, remove them for the time being or put them at heights which a baby can’t reach.

2. Block or cover all electrical sockets with covers. This will prevent accidental shocks.

3. Remove poisonous and hazardous material such as household cleaners, grease, and other such items that may lie around in accessible areas such as kitchen cabinets.

4. Keep medications locked and in places unreachable by babies.

5. Make sure that any thing that baby plays with does not have small parts or long cords since these could also harm baby.

6. Baby Monitorshelp to keep track of baby when asleep. Invest in one. Do read Childproofing the Home for Toddlers for more helpful hints and advice.

Choosing the Best for Your Baby

When my baby was born, I wanted to make sure that everything I bought was the best quality and absolutely perfect for my bundle of joy. I am sure that all of you, too, want to buy the very best for the tiny new member in the family. Here are some ways to ensure that you buy the very best for baby.

1. Check for Quality Standards. It is important that the products you buy have certified quality standards laid down by the respective government authority.

2. Read up on product recalls. Make sure you know that the product has not been recalled. You can find this information easily on the Internet.

3. Check list of ingredients and materials used. Baby products should be safe for baby with no harmful ingredients, chemicals or hazardous materials. For instance, check that the baby cot does not use lead paint or toys don’t have small parts that can be swallowed.

4. Do buy important items from reputed shops to ensure quality. To save money, you can by clothes, furniture and even toys from thrift stores or yard sales as long as they are safe to use and play with. Check out The Baby Outlet for great deals. Click Here for the lowest priced baby items online

The articles How to Buy Baby Bedding and Furniture and A Buying Guide for High Chairs will help you to buy quality products for your little one.

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