Baby's Skin Color | 10 Effective Tips For Healthy & Whitening Skin
“Hey my baby’s face is fair but the body is dark. She is 3 months old. Suggest something for my baby’s skin color”
“Even I want to know.. My baby face is little fair and body is dark?”
“My baby is turning darker every day. He had jaundice. Is there any link between my baby’s skin color and jaundice? How can I lighten my baby’s skin color?”
So you’ve been very excited to meet your little bundle of joy but you were baffled by his/her complexion? Did your baby look darker than you at birth? Did you feel there is some problem with the baby’s color? Were you worried about your baby’s complexion? If your answer to the above questions is a yes,
Read on to find out the answers to all questions and facts related to baby’s skin color.
Most babies are born with reddish to purple complexion and it is completely normal. This is due to the fact that the blood circulation is still picking up speed. So, no matter what your country of origin is, your baby is going to be slightly darker in complexion and THIS SHOULD BE THE LEAST CAUSE OF WORRY.
Also Read: How To Care For Your Baby’s Super Soft And Delicate Skin! – Mom Story
Surprising facts about a baby’s skin color and skin
#1. The baby’s complexion changes over time
Babies also have a thin coating of lanugo on their skin. These are very fine hairs which shed with time. Babies also have a white cheesy substance on their skin – vernix that protects them from the amniotic fluid while in utero. After birth, the nurses and doctors will very carefully clean up all the vernix and blood on your baby’s body. It can take anywhere between 1-6 months for your baby to get his permanent skin tone.
#2. Most babies also have a yellowish tinge on the skin
It is not surprising to find babies with a yellowish tinge on their skin. This is due to newborn jaundice and almost all babies have it. But, there is nothing to worry about, as it is very common. The degree of jaundice is very less and most doctors send the baby home within 3 days after birth. You can check with your paediatrician if your baby needs medical help.
#3. Mother’s hormones affect baby’s skin
Believe it or not, the crazy pregnancy hormones have now left your body and now they have got to your little one, through the placenta. The result is an excess production of oil on the baby’s skin. But, again, this excess oil will be flushed out from your child’s body within a few weeks. These hormones are also responsible for the crusty scaly substance on your baby’s scalp – Cradle Cap.
Don’t worry as this can go away in some time and it doesn’t bother your baby anyway. Babies also tend to get rashes very quickly. If your baby has too much oil, you may also see Milia- Baby Acne but it’s not harmful.
#4. Baby skin is very thin
Your baby’s skin is very thin – delicate and sensitive at birth. That’s the reason you can see all the blood vessels and he/she needs an extra layer of clothing. This is why babies are kept covered with a cap and mittens even if they are born in summers. Look out for the cues – sweat, redness when the baby is hot and cold feet, blue skin tone when the baby feels cold. By the time, the baby is one year old, the skin thickens and isn’t that sensitive.
#5. Bathing your baby every day is not necessary
Your baby’s skin is sensitive, as pointed out earlier and doesn’t need to be washed every day. Too much washing can not only take away the natural oils of the baby’s skin and make it dry; it can also make your baby feel cold. Also, while bathing your baby, you may use only a pea-sized amount of any mild baby soap – as recommended by your paediatrician. Always check the temperature of water – it should be neither too hot nor too cold as baby skin gets burnt very easily.
#6. Touch helps in soothing
Be it a cold or being unable to sleep, a mother’s touch is the best way to soothe your crying baby. Cuddling and hugging your little ones helps to release the love hormones and strengthens the mother-child bond. That’s the reason babies love to be massaged and caressed but don’t be too harsh. Always massage gently.
Also Read: 5 Tips To Take Care Of Your Skin After Playing Holi
How to lighten or whitening the baby’s skin color?
Now before I answer this, I wish to know from all those moms – Does your child’s complexion really matter so much? I think the complexion of your baby should be the last thing on your mind. The baby should be healthy and strong. Whatever is the complexion of your baby, he/she becomes your heartbeat and it doesn’t really matter if it is dark. And for all those who wish to whiten, lighten the complexion, I’d like to ask what’s the point? Once your child grows up and starts playing in the sun, or starts swimming, it’s all going to be the same again! And as an adult, your child will be known for the mannerisms he/she shows, his/her basic nature and the kind of person he is and not for their complexion.
Also read: How To Keep Your Skin Soft And Glowing In Winter
Well, if you still wish to try something, you should focus on giving your child a healthy diet to make your child’s skin healthy. In order to make it glow, you can try one the following home remedies after consulting your paediatrician:
#1. Curd and turmeric
Just mix 2-3 spoons of curd with a 1/4th teaspoon turmeric powder and one spoon of Bengal gram flour. Gently massage on the baby’s body before a bath and wash off with lukewarm water. This works very effectively as an anti-tanning pack.
#2. Massage
Massaging your child with almond oil and/or malai helps to lighten the skin a bit. Some people also swear by massaging with coconut oil before bathing for skin lightening.
#3. Raw potato
Just peel a raw potato and shred it. Now rub the shredded potato on your child’s body before a bath. Potato has bleaching properties and works as an exfoliator for dead skin cells.
#4. Moisturize
Keep your baby’s skin moisturized with a good mild body lotion as dry skin tends to look darker.
#5. Hydrate
Make your child drink lots of water to flush out all the toxins from the body.
#6. Aloe Vera Gel
Applying aloe vera gel on the face helps to make the skin glow as aloevera gel contains antioxidants which help to remove dead skin cells.
Also Read: 7 Harmful Things in Baby Skincare Products You Should Look Out For!
#7. Tomato
Tomatoes also contain anti-tanning properties. Just grate a tomato and rub its pulp all over the body before taking bath.
Always remember, the complexion of your child is hereditary and any Home remedy that you try will only lighten the complexion by a few shades and that too, might not be permanent. So, don’t bother much about the complexion; just ensure your child gets a healthy and nutritious diet and has a strong immune system and a sharp brain!
Note: Do check with your paediatrician before you try any of these remedies as your child’s skin might be too sensitive.
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