caring for your baby's skin during summer

The temperature is warming up, and the sun is showing itself finally, but how do you care for your baby safely during these hotter months?

Remember, your baby's skin does not produce enough melanin for protection, and therefore, you must provide the protection that your baby's skin needs during the hot summer months.

Here are a few tips that will help you along:

• Make sure that your baby is kept fully clothed when you step out of your house, and that no part of her skin is exposed to direct sunlight. Not only are the suns rays harmful because they cause sunburn, but you are also putting your baby at risk for melanoma, a hazardous form of skin cancer, caused by direct exposure for prolonged periods of time to the ultra violet rays of the sun.
• If you do have to take your child out into the sun, you can try to avoid the period of time between 10 AM and 4 PM, because this is the period when the sun shines at its most brilliant, and also the time when the UV rays will be at their strongest.
• You can try using pushchair covers for your baby, or, on the other hand, use hats to keep your older child covered. It's also best to use a natural sunscreen on your baby.


• If your baby does get sun burnt by some chance, bathe her immediately in lukewarm water. This will help cool the skin. If you have aloe vera in hand, apply this to the affected areas. If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
• A constant irritant during the summer months is nappy rash. Never let the nappy area remain wet; always keep it dry, and use mahu Nappy Cream  liberally on the areas to keep baby smiling and happy.
• Your baby is also prone to developing heat rashes on the folds of her skin during the summer months. Did you know using lukewarm water and mahu Baby Wash/Shampoo helps with Heat rash. When bathed in it, the Lavender helps soothe while the luke warm water helps cool baby's skin. When baby's skin becomes overheated, sweat glands must work overtime to cool the skin down, and the excess sweat can cause ducts to become blocked. The blocked glands then become swollen, forming the little blisters or bumps which are heat rash or prickly heat.    

Remember, your baby's skin has to be protected, especially during the first year of her life, and you can do this with the help of these tips.