Bush Baby Skin Care Guide
Learn how to care for your newborn's skin and subsequently protect them from discomfort, rashes, skin diseases, and more using our Bush Baby Skin Care Guide.
Our skin performs a number of incredible functions from regulating body temperature to providing us with a protective barrier against the outside world. Even though your baby’s skin has the same structure as yours, it cannot yet perform all of its functions. Because the skin is not fully developed it is more vulnerable to damage, which means that it needs to be treated with extra special care.
Your little Bush baby's skin barrier is 20-30% thinner than your own, and it loses moisture quickly meaning it can be prone to dryness and irritation and develop sunburn with less sun exposure than an adult.
At the same time, their immune system - the part of the body that fights off illness - is also still developing. When your baby’s skin comes into contact with new, foreign substances, such as dyes or fragrances, this vital regulatory part of the body has to first identify the substance as friend or foe and then act accordingly. Sometimes it can get a little overprotective, triggering physical reactions as a way of indicating, “I didn’t like that!”
Caring for baby's sensitive skin
From bathing and sun exposure to weather conditions and washing your baby's clothing, there are lots of ways everyday life can impact their delicate skin. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for protecting your Bush Babies silky skin.
Bath Time
Resist the urge to bathe your baby frequently. Too-frequent bathing - more than three times per week during the first year of life - removes the natural oils that protect baby's skin. That may leave your baby's skin vulnerable and dry. It may also aggravate eczema.
Use a soft wash cloth to gently apply Rub-a-dub Rhino 2-in -1 Body Wash and Shampoo to your Bush Babies body and head. Once dry, apply Cub Cuddles Body Lotion immediately to seal in moisture and prevent dry skin.
Keeping Skin hydrated
Your baby’s skin is prone to dryness, so you want to keep it as moisturised as possible. When you get babba out of the tub, gently pat dry and apply Cub Cuddles Body lotion immediately. Also a good idea to get moisturising plenty in between baths too. “Moisturisers do not add moisture to the skin; they prevent moisture already in the skin from evaporating,” says Dr. Neumann.
Protecting your Bush Babies skin from the sun
The skin-darkening pigment known as melanin helps protect the skin from damaging ultraviolet light. Infant skin contains less melanin than that of adults and as a result, can be damaged more quickly from exposure to the sun. The thin outer layer of baby skin also heightens the risk of absorbing excessive ultraviolet rays.
According to a variety of studies, babies should be kept out of direct sunlight until they’re 6 months old. Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible and rely on protective clothing. After 6 months, choose a sun cream like the Rays Of Sunshine Sun Cream which is 100% natural using non-nano mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to block UV rays.
How to clean your baby’s clothes
It's always best to give new clothes a wash before your little one starts wearing them. Baby clothes can easily pick up dust, dirt, and other irritants between the warehouse and your home. Washing them before use also helps them soften so your baby's sensitive skin feels comfortable. Use baby laundry detergents that are fragrance- and dye-free like our Washing Whale Laundry Powder. Wash baby clothes, bedding, and blankets separately from the family's laundry. Or better yet, use the same detergent for the entire family.
Why is it a good idea to massage my little Bush Baby?
Your baby’s thin skin is sensitive to just about everything, including your touch — and that’s a wonderful thing. Every time you kiss, massage or caress your Bush Babies skin, you stimulate the production of her feel-good hormones — including the “love hormone” oxytocin, which boosts the bonding process. Research also shows that a baby's very survival depends on being touched by others - as touch boosts immunity, and helps fight disease. Also, massaged babies are calmer, sleep better, and cry less - every parent's dream!
Apply Lazy Leopard Massage Oil to the skin & massage your Bush Baby using recommended massage techniques. Add to bath water for extra absorption & relaxation.