Taking Care Of Toddler Skin In Winter

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You may remember that Chrissy wrote a post on spotting the early signs of lung cancer for us last year, and today, she is sharing her top 3 tips for taking care of toddler skin in the winter time!

Lots of children suffer with eczema and I know how dry even my skin gets during the winter – I hope that these tips will help someone who’s little one is suffering in the cold weather!

Thank you Chrissy!

3 TOP TIPS TO HELP YOUR TODDLER’S SKIN DURING THE WINTER

British winters can be freezing – last winter’s average temperature was at 3.6 degrees – but they can also be magical and full of exciting new experiences for your toddler. That said, raising toddlers in the chilly climate has its own set of challenges. Between helping them battle inevitable colds to keeping them warm and occupied, making sure their skin remains healthy and soft should be the least of your worries. Here are the basics for keeping their young complexions happy and smooth as you introduce your child to the wonders of winter.

Be prepared for skin ailments

As mentioned above, it’s all but inevitable that your little one will come down with some kind of sickness. Runny noses coupled with the contrasting indoor and outdoor environments are the perfect recipe for painfully chapped lips and noses for both yourself and your toddler. In addition, winter weather conditions make your child even more susceptible to skin conditions such as eczema, cold sores, and wind burn. The good news is that there are plenty of natural remedies for these ailments that can reduce discomfort and hasten healing. Stock up on these moisturising treatments such as petroleum jellies and aloe vera gels so that you can soothe an ailment as soon as it appears.

Protection from the elements

As unappealing as the chilly weather and short hours of sunlight can be, venturing outdoors and breathing fresh air for just a couple of hours a day is a great way to keep your toddler occupied, soak up vital Vitamin D and banish fatigue brought on by inactivity. That said, the cool dryness of winter air sucks the moisture from your toddler’s skin as much as it does to yours, and the sun can still do damage even though it doesn’t feel like it’s doing anything at all. To protect your child, make sure you apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or above. It’s also important to dress them well in a coat, a warm hat, scarf, and insulated gloves. Be aware of bundling them up too much though, as this can cause blocked glands and skin irritation.

When indoors, beware of keeping the heating too toasty as an artificially hot, low-humidity climate will also dry out your and your toddler’s skin. Make the air warm, but just cool enough to be wearing a couple of light layers.

Extra care for healthy skin

Your daily routines within your home can have a considerable impact on the health of your toddler’s skin in winter time, and there are a number of simple changes you can make to stop ailments occurring in the first place. Perhaps the most obvious habit to make is to moisturise your child straight after their bath when their skin i

s still damp to lock in as much hydration as possible. However, be careful of the products you use on your toddler’s skin. Go for no-fragrance, soap-free cleaners suitable for sensitive skin to best retain skin moisture and avoid skin irritation. In addition, keep bath time short and in tepid rather than hot water and pat your toddler dry to be as kind as possible to their young skin.

Though it comes with its own set of tough challenges, winter can still prove to be a delightful time with your toddler. By applying nourishing natural treatments to ailments as they appear, protecting them from the harsh climates, and adapting skin-friendly household habits, you’ll maintain your toddler’s smooth, healthy skin and make winter a wonderland to be enjoyed by the whole family.