Everyday experiences in a baby’s life can help develop and stimulate his or her senses and provide parents an opportunity to nurture their baby’s ability to learn, think, and grow.
The infant's skin's first line of defencse against the external environment:
Maintains internal hydration and electrolytes balance (homeostasis)1
Protects against water loss1
Provides thermal regulation1
Serves as a tactile sensory organ1
Protects against penetration of external irritants2
Infant skin barrier protection should be a vital part of holistic healthcare for infants.
Some studies suggest that the application of emollients that strengthen the health of baby skin effectively reduces the risk of pathogens penetrating the skin, helping to prevent one in three preterm deaths.3
Ref 4
Educate mothers about the vital importance of baby skin health
Some mothers think they can protect their babies from the harsh environment and prevent infectious disease by using strong antiseptic products during bath time.
Traditional baby skincare routines include amongst others:
Using an adult bar of soap5
Adding antiseptic liquid to the water6
Scrubbing with a sponge using harsh cleansers too many times a day6
Scrubbing with harsh cleansers can disrupt the epidermal barrier and weaken the baby’s natural ability to fight off infection.
Evidence-based infant skincare is a key protective intervention.
References
Stamatas G et al. Infant skin physiology and development during the first years of life: a review of recent findings based on in vivo studies. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2010;33;17–24
Telofski LS, Morello AP III, Mack Correa MC, and Stamatas GN “The Infant Skin Barrier: Can We Preserve, Protect, and Enhance the Barrier?”, Dermatology Research and Practice ;Volume 2012:Article ID 198789Hernandez-Reif M, Diego M, Field T. Preterm infants show reduced stress behaviors and activity after 5 days of massage therapy. Infant Behav Dev. 2007;30(4):557-561.
Darmstadt. 2009. Effect of Skin Barrier Therapy on Neonatal Mortality Rates in Preterm Infants in Bangladesh: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial.
Darmstadt. 2006.“Preventing Neonatal Infections Through Skin Barrier Therapy”.
Millwood Brown. 2015. Project EOS and Aphrodite.