EXPERT TIPS: ADVICE FROM A PEDIATRICIAN
09. 05. 2023

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As a general practitioner, the pediatrician is specialized in the care of children. He or she is responsible for the health, growth and physical and mental development of the child. 

 

The pediatrician maintains a relationship of trust with the parents from the birth of their child. 

 

Thus, Enfance Paris has gathered for you the expert advice of Diane Demonchy, pediatrician. She has agreed to share her expertise with us by giving us her precious advice on how to best accompany the hygiene routines of our young children. Like us, she advocates "less is more", and that speaks to us!

 

Hello Diane, could you quickly introduce yourself?

 

Hello, my name is Diane Demonchy and I am a pediatrician in Nice.

 

How long have you been practicing your profession? 

 

The studies are long, but I have been practicing as a pediatrician since 2013.

 

What are the recurrent concerns of the parents you accompany? 

 

There are many concerns in many different areas. When it comes to newborn care, parents wonder: 

  • If the product is adapted to their child's skin? if the child has atopic skin in particular.

  • If the soap is gentle enough, the pH adapted?

  • In case of diaper rash, what to do?

  • Is cradle cap serious?

 

Do parents know enough about endocrine disruptors?

 

Not really, but the fact that the issue is being raised more and more forces them to be more vigilant. 

 

How is a baby's skin different from a child's and then an adult's?

 

A baby's skin up to 6 years old is 5 times thinner than an adult's. 

As the sebaceous and sweat glands are less active, the hydrolipidic film (water and fat) and the protective acid mantle are less effective. The skin does not yet produce melanin during the first year. 

All of these elements make baby's skin more fragile: the protective barrier is then immature.

As a result:

  • The products penetrate more and more deeply

  • The skin dries out more easily

  • No natural protection against UV rays

 

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Do you have any tips to help parents choose the right baby/toddler care products?

 

Because of a weaker hydrolipidic layer and a less effective acid mantle, it is necessary :

  • Use the gentlest possible care products with no soap, neutral pH or below 7, no endocrine disruptors, no additives etc. ....

  • Limit the duration of the bath in order to preserve a maximum of the hydrolipidic layer.

  • Similarly, warm water is less aggressive for the skin.

  • Finally, it is important to regularly moisturize the skin to make up for the natural lack of hydrolipidic layer. This is even more important when baby has atopic skin.

  • Finally, protect him from UV rays

 

What do you think is a good routine for bathing your baby?

 

First of all, there is no obligation to bathe your baby every day! Unless there is a particular catastrophe (vomit, overflowing poop... and so on) a bath every 2-3 days is enough.

  • Use lukewarm water and do not let baby wade in the water for too long.

  • Use a soap adapted to babies and dry the folds well to avoid mycosis.

  • And from time to time during a massage, moisturize the baby's skin with an appropriate oil. In addition to moisturizing the skin, this will soothe baby!

We thank Diane for this interview!