How to Care for Baby's Skin in Winter

You’ve probably noticed it yourself, as the temperature starts to drop, you need to wear more and more layers and all of a sudden you find your glowy summer skin has disappeared. Instead, your skin feels dry, tight and perhaps even a little red with some signs of irritation. This may be happening to your baby’s skin too.

In winter, humidity levels are low which makes the air much drier than in the warmer months. Furthermore, heating systems, which dry the air inside our homes, also strip our skin of the moisture it needs to stay soft and smooth.

8 Ways To Care For Your Baby’s Skin In Winter

1. Keep bath time short and soap-free

Bath soap and foamy bubble baths can strip your baby’s skin of its natural oils, so opt for a non-soap cleanser or fragrance-free oil at bath time. While it’s tempting to give your little one a long, luxurious warm bath in winter, the water itself can be quite drying.

Keep bath time short and sweet - around 5 to 10 minutes - and avoid the temptation to give your baby a really warm bath as this can also remove natural oils. Many parents choose to sponge bathe their little one in the first few weeks until the umbilical cord falls off and the navel heals completely. Whichever you decide, don’t forget to replenish your baby’s skin with a thick, fragrance-free moisturising lotion after bath time.

2. Moisturise with fragrance-free skin care products

It’s just as important to moisturise your little’s one’s skin in winter as it is in summer. Moisturising your baby’s skin several times throughout the day will help keep it soft and irritation-free. In winter, opt for rich, fragrance-free creams with natural ingredients, particularly if your baby’s skin gets very dry.

3. Layer your baby’s clothing

As tempting as it is to rug your baby up in thick woollen and cotton blended clothing once winter sets in, coarse fibres can irritate your baby’s skin. It’s important to dress your baby in several layers of clothing and select garments made from natural fibres where possible.

Organic cotton is a good option, as it’s grown without the use of harmful chemicals and the pure, soft fibres allow your little one’s sensitive skin to breathe naturally. Dressing them in layers means you can make more subtle adjustments to their body temperature. As a general rule of thumb, your baby should be wearing one more layer than you. An easy way to check your babies temperature is by placing your hand behind your baby's neck or on their chest or tummy. You will be able to gauge quickly if they are too hot or too cold.

4. Wash your baby’s clothing in sensitive washing powder

Regular washing detergents can often contain strong fragrances, fabric softeners and antibacterial ingredients, which can all irritate your little one’s skin (especially if it’s already experiencing the drying effects of winter). Look for ‘extra sensitive’ and ‘fragrance free’ washing powders and detergents when washing your baby’s clothes.

5. Look after your own skin

You’re constantly touching your baby’s skin, so it’s important to keep your own skin soft and smooth in winter. Use an intensive skin cream full of natural ingredients like plant oils and lanolin to nourish and protect your dry hands in winter.

6. Keep baby hydrated

While babies don’t need additional liquids (e.g. a cup of water) until they are older than 4 to 6 months, the focus should be on ensuring they are getting the right amount of hydration through breastmilk or formula. This way, they’ll be getting all the nutrients they need to keep their skin protected in the colder months.

On the other hand, toddlers need to drink plenty of water, in particular when they are doing exercise (like climbing all over a playground), just like adults.

7. Keep your home warm, but not too warm

To counteract the cold outside, it is very tempting to blast the heater all day long. However, similar to what happens to skin in summer, overheated air can also dry out your little one’s skin. Keep the inside of your home at a comfortable temperature, in particular at night time.

A humidifier is another great way to reduce hot air from a heater from drying out your baby's skin, such as when they sleep.

8. Baby massage promotes blood flow and skin health

One of the key benefits of baby massage is that it helps promote blood flow around your baby’s body. With that increased blood flow, more nutrients reach your baby’s skin and therefore the healthier it is. All it takes is 10 to 15 minutes out of your day to gently massage them. Even better, you get to spend some quality time with your bundle of joy!

Shop our full range of organic cotton baby clothes which are perfect for a baby's sensitive skin.