The Benefits of Baby Skin and Haircare

Whether your baby is born with a full head of locks or just a few wisps, incorporating hair and scalp care into their bathing routine will not only help to keep their skin soft and their locks luscious, but it will also reinforce the bonding experience and get them used to the feeling of water on their head and face. The creators of babycare brand Original Sprout know how important it is to start this process early on. “Getting your little one into a good bathtime routine is a wonderful way to end the day for you and your baby, and a great chance for you to bond,” says the label’s global sales director, Katie Roberts. “During their first few weeks, however, most babies don’t require daily baths, so when it comes to your baby’s hair, less is more.”

When it’s time for a hair wash, Katie recommends using the Original Sprout Classic Shampoo. In the mix you’ll find a pH-balanced blend of calendula, cucumber, rosemary and arnica (no harmful nasties to be seen here), and what’s more, the gentle formula is paediatrician-tested so you can wash your baby’s hair with complete confidence.

But how often should you wash your baby’s hair and scalp? “Washing their hair and scalp every day takes the natural oils away and can make it dry,” explains Katie, “so we recommend only washing it once a week, making an exception, of course, if they've been swimming, got hot, or if it's dirty from food!”

To finish their haircare routine, use the Original Sprout Deep Conditioner, Scrumptious Baby Cream to moisturise any dry spots, and then gently brush your baby’s hair and scalp with a soft-bristled brush, like this one from Marie-Chantal. Remember, there’s no one rule to fit all, and as a parent, you’ll instinctively know when it’s time for a hair wash!

Special care needs to be taken when bathing your newborn. Not only do you need to be mindful about the water temperature and its depth, you’ll also want to pay close attention to the list of ingredients on the skincare products that you’re using. “Your baby’s skin is far thinner, more porous, dries out faster and is more susceptible to external irritants than grown-up skin,” says Gudrun Wurm, founder of baby skincare brand Little Butterfly London. That’s why the label’s range of lotions, body washes and bath milks is packed full of organic goodness to ensure that your baby’s skin is soothed, cleansed and protected from their very first days.

We love the Bubbles in the Breeze top-to-toe wash, which Gudrun explains gently cleanses without disturbing the skin’s natural floral thanks to the blend of calming meadowsweet, cucumber extract and aloe vera. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, which is a big green flag for us.

Once your baby is washed and dried off in one of our cloud-soft baby towels, why not introduce another step to their routine with a calming post-bath skin cream? “Our Dewdrops at Dawn body lotion has been clinically tested for its positive effect to nurture, soothe and help repair inflamed skin,” says Gudrun. Add to that the Little Butterfly London calming face cream and its award-winning nappy change cream and you’ve got yourself one very happy (and very pampered) baby.

If you want to take your newborn’s skincare routine to the next level, what better way to finish than with a calming, slumber-inducing baby massage? “The best time for baby massage is after a bath and before bedtime, when your baby is calm, relaxed and not too hungry or full,” advises Gudrun. With a few drops of Little Butterfly London’s Fall into Dreams massage oil, which is infused with rosehip, argan and peach kernel, gently massage your baby with slow, sweeping movements, being mindful to add a little more oil if you feel the skin dragging.

The National Childbirth Trust has plenty of helpful advice when it comes to massage techniques so that the experience is safe, beneficial and enjoyable for both you and your baby:
 

• Find a comfortable, warm, safe position where you can maintain eye contact with your baby, with no overhead lights. 
• When massaging your child’s arms or legs, support the ankle or wrist with the other hand. 
• When massaging your child’s tummy with a circular motion, go clockwise rather than anti-clockwise. 
• If your child becomes upset or falls asleep, stop massaging.

You can find our complete collection of baby and child skincare products here, plus if you're looking for the softest babygrows and sleepsuits to wrap them up in after their skincare routine, head over to our Newborn Guide.