Sometimes, we need simple information to solve a big problem. A newborn brings many joy and worries to parents—concerns about their health, safety, feeding, care, and much more. But if parents know the proper ways to care for newborn, they can safely ignore their worries and enjoy the baby’s arrival.
Babies are more vulnerable to various scalp and skin conditions. Cradle cap is at the top of the list, and although it is non-contagious and harmless, it can spread to other body parts if not appropriately managed. So, parents need to know some tips to ensure a healthy scalp regime for their newborn.
5 tips for parents to keep your newborn's scalp healthy
Here, we have mentioned five easy-to-follow tips to keep your newborn’s scalp healthy. We cannot guarantee 100% effectiveness, but these tips are efficient.
1. Regular check-ups
Newborns are vulnerable to various skin diseases within their first few weeks. Usually, the conditions that affect them are mild and fade out independently. However, some conditions persist longer and may get worse if not treated at the right time.
For example, neonatal eczema takes some months to go away, but its symptoms may persist throughout life.
So, you must perform regular check-ups to ensure no persisting or harmful condition affects your child. Regularly consult your baby’s doctor for information about your newborn’s health.
2. Giving your newborn enough bath
No one can ignore the importance of taking enough baths. But more is needed to hold a single value. The bathing routine will be different for children with dry skin than those with oily or normal skin. For babies with dry skin, one bath a week is enough. Generally, two to three baths a week are considered safe for normal skin.
Shampoo during a bath is also recommended, but trust only medicated products. Most parents worry about bathing their newborn baby. Doctors recommend bathing the baby after at least 24 hours of birth. Later, two baths a week are generally safe. Newborns rarely get dirty due to less contact with the outside environment and pollutants. So, make sure to give your baby enough baths.
3. Gentle brushing
Whether or not your baby is dealing with an underlying condition, brushing is always recommended. Use a brush with soft bristles to comb your baby’s hair. If there are flakes on the scalp, the brush will help remove those flakes easily.
If some flakes are not getting out, do not rub hard to remove them. It would help if you rubbed it gently to avoid irritation and temporary hair loss. Parents can use the brush before, during, or after giving a bath to their newborn. Brushing will improve fluid circulation in nerves and also improve sleep. Using a shampoo along with a brush will be more effective.
4. Using a moisturizer
Using a moisturizer is a good step for scalp care. The moisturizer could be anything: baby shampoo, creams, gels, or natural oils. If you want to massage your baby’s scalp using only natural items, researchers suggest using coconut oil or olive oil. However, it will be better to consult a doctor about using these oils for your newborn. Massage will create a physical and emotional bond between the baby and the parents.
Baby shampoo is suitable for a routine. Use a cradle cap shampoo for proper care for cradle cap or other scalp conditions. Follow the usage instructions labeled on the product to get the best out of it.
5. Following preventions
Parents must follow the preventive measures below to ensure their newborn’s healthy scalp.
- Avoid exposure to irritants, harsh chemicals, dust, and pollen.
- Parents must avoid using beauty products on their newborns.
- Do not dress up your child in tight clothing.
- Avoid excessive sweating. Use a cloth to clean sweat or wash your baby. Use clean, loose, light, and breathable clothing to prevent sweating. Cotton is the best option.
- Do not use fragrance. It can cause allergic reactions. Use fragrance-free products.
- Use a humidifier.
- Avoid exposing your baby’s scalp to heat or direct exposure to sunlight.
- Do not scratch the scalp of your newborn. Use a soft brush instead.
- After bathing your baby, do not rub the towel vigorously. Pat dry instead.
Conclusions
Follow all the preventive measures and tips described in this article to ensure a healthy scalp for your baby.
If an underlying scalp or skin condition is causing dryness or other issues and these tips are not helping, consult a doctor for personalized tips. These tips will help parents like you a lot.
