How To Care For Infant Skin

Baby skincare advice from the Gro-To pros.

Babies have delightfully squishy, addictively nice-smelling skin, but it can also be very delicate, and can easily become irritated, dry and flaky without good care. Thankfully, the team at Gro-To have kindly shared some simple things you can do to look after it. Here is a nifty little list to keep handy when it comes to baby bathtime.

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1. Get the bath temp just right.

A hot steamy bath might sound like the ultimate dream for a busy mum, but not for newborns. Their skin is incredibly delicate and prone to dryness, so bathing too often or for too long can irritate their little bodies. A 5-10 minute splash in the tub is plenty! And always use a thermometer (or your wrist or elbow) to check the water temp first, it should be around 37°C, comfortably warm but not hot.

2. Avoid harsh soaps and other irritants.

Not-so-fun fact: all soaps are mild irritants, which can cause excessive dryness and inflammation, even for adults. So when it comes to brand new, infant skin, it’s best to reach for a gentle, soap-free cleanser instead. A plant-based body wash that’s pH-neutral and free of common irritants like SLSs, synthetic fragrances, synthetic surfactants, will clean skin effectively, and care for it at the same time. Zoë Foster Blake’s Gro-To range of kids’ bath and body care products are free from silicones, parabens, PEGs, sulfates (SLS/SLES), synthetics and all the usual ‘pests’ so you can worry less when it comes to bath time.

If it’s your first time using a new wash, remember to always patch test first. Try a small amount of product on your baby’s skin inside the elbow, behind the knees, or behind the neck (the super-sensitive areas) and wait at least a full day to make sure there’s no reaction before you start including the product in their bath routine.

3. Super-soft skin deserves super-soft towels.

When bathtime is over, burrito-wrap your bub in a super-soft kids towel to keep them nice and cosy. Then gently pat dry (never rub the towel against their skin), paying special attention to all their adorable, squishy folds and creases.

4. Try a baby oil massage.

A gentle baby massage has loads of benefits. It can help calm and soothe your baby as well as help your tiny human do big toots! And if you incorporate an ultra-nourishing body oil, like Gro-To’s Skin Wizard, it can also be incredibly soothing for the skin, too. Try it straight after bathtime, when the room is warm and toasty, the lights are low, and when your baby is calm but alert. Gently massage the oil all over – palms, thighs, arms and of course, the tummy.

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5. Moisturise from top to baby bottom.

Baby’s skin can be very sensitive and lacks adequate barrier protection from the dry air. So after a bath, lock in hydration with a creamy, comforting moisturiser, we love Gro-To’s Super Softy calming lotion. Apply generously, all over, while their skin is still slightly damp. If their skin is extra dry or flaky, you might need to apply lotion regularly, as often as two to three times a day.

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6. Choose soft, gentle, not-to-teeny clothes.

It’s not enough for their onesies and rompers to be irresistibly adorable – you should also make sure they’re made from soft fabrics that won’t rub or irritate the skin, and aren’t too tight that they lead to rashy, cranky skin. Ensure there’s a little breathing room, especially around the armpits, skin folds, neck and nappy areas.

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