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Skin tends to remain healthy as long as it stays intact. But, when skin is damaged by irritants such as harsh cleansers or diaper contents, it becomes more susceptible to infection. So the key is to prevent skin damage from occurring. Here are a few basic guidelines to help care for and protect your baby's skin:

• Avoid exposure to irritating agents such as harsh detergents and soaps.
  • Infant skin is very sensitive. Many adult products may contain ingredients that are harsh for a baby. Avoid adult soaps and shampoos in favor of mild, gentle cleansers specifically formulated for babies.
• Reduce contact with environmental irritants.
  • Urine, feces and even laundry detergent residue in clothing can cause irritation. Change diapers as soon as possible after they are soiled. Gently clean the diaper area with warm water or alcohol-free wipes and dry the skin thoroughly, especially between the folds. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a protective ointment at every diaper change to form a protective coating on the skin and help soothe skin and to prevent diaper rash. Try using BALMEX® Daily Skin Protectant at everydiaper change - to help protect your baby's skin.
• Maintain the skin's moisture level.
  • You can help maintain the right amount of moisture in your baby's skin by controlling the temperature and humidity in your home, by protecting your child from external conditions like wind and cold, by avoiding harsh cleansers, and by applying the right moisturizer after the bath. Try using a gentle cleanser and shampoo, formulated just for babies. And to help seal in the skin's own moisture, use a specially formulated infant lotion or cream immediately after the bath.
• Reduce friction.
  • Friction in the diaper area and in skin folds is uncomfortable for a baby, and constant abrasion can weaken the skin barrier. This makes it easier for irritants to penetrate and for infection to take hold. Apply a protective ointment such as BALMEX® Daily Skin Protectant at every diaper change to form a protective coating on the skin and reduce friction and make sure baby is dressed in clothing that is loose and not retrictive.
• Minimize changes in the pH of the skin.
  • Infant skin, like adult skin, has a slightly acidic pH (acid mantle) and normally has harmless bacteria growing on it. When these harmless bacteria are displaced through irritation, over-cleansing or change in pH, harmful bacteria and fungi can take their place. To preserve the harmless bacteria, use cleansers specially formulated for baby that help maintain the skin's pH and change your baby's diapers often.
• Avoid exposure to the sun.
  • It's never too early to practice sun protection for your baby. Dermatologists tell us that 80% of skin damage due to sun exposure occurs during childhood. Babies under six months should not spend any time in the sun. Older babies and children should never be exposed to direct sun for any extended period. Use loose protective clothing, or a light blanket or awning that covers the skin, and have your child wear a hat and sunglasses. For babies under two years of age, check with your pediatrician about using a broad-spectrum (with UVB and UVA protection) sunscreen with at least an SPF 15, that is formulated just for babies.