Being a mother to a toddler that suffers from eczema, it comes as no surprise that a baby's skin is extremely delicate, and in need of special care and attention.

Listed below are some simple tips to protect your baby's skin - special skin care included:

* Protection From The Sun.

Although the sun is an essential source of vitamin D, it's extremely vital to prevent sun damage to the delicate skin of a baby. The best way to do this is...

1.) Avoid taking your baby out during the hottest part of the day, or when the peak ultraviolet rays occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

2.) Use a hat or umbrella to provide necessary shade for your baby.

3.) Have your baby wear a wide brim hat.

4.) Dress your baby in lightweight cotton clothing with long pants and sleeves.

5.) If your baby is under 6 months old, pediatricians advise to keep them out of direct sunlight.

6.) Skin specialist also advise parents to apply waterproof sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15.

However, if your child has special skin needs that prevent this, applying 100% fragrance free Aloe Vera gel, and following tips 1-5 will suffice (even keeping a live aloe plant and using the gel from the plants innards works as well).

* Protection From Irritants.

1.) Use bathing and skin care products specifically made for babies. Johnson & Johnson, Aveeno (avoid any products containing oats if your child is allergic to them), or Gentle Naturals are great choices.

*For babies with special skin needs - opt for more natural products such as WELEDA Natural Baby Care products - which can be found in your local health food stores, or at there website www.usa.weleda.com).

2.) Using specially formulated washing powders for baby clothes, wash all your little ones clothes before they are worn (whether they are new or not). All Baby and Dreft are good choices.

*For babies with special skin care needs - opt for more natural products such as Sun and Earth and Seventh Generation. Or if you're brave enough, using a bar of soap, borax, baking soda, and water, you can make your own washing powders for little to nothing (www.thesimpledollar.com has a great recipe for homemade washing powders that I use myself)

3.) For the first couple of months, wash your baby's clothes separately from the family's.

*For babies with special skin care needs - always wash their clothes separate from the rest of the families clothes.

4.) Since cotton is softer and much more breathable than other fabrics, opt for 100% cotton wear for your baby (whether they have special skin care needs or not).

5.) To prevent skin irritation from diaper rashes...

a.) never leave a wet or soiled diaper on your baby for long periods of time

b.) at every diaper change, ensure baby is cleaned and dried thoroughly

c.) apply petroleum jelly to baby's bottom and genitalia (some parents opt for baby powder)

6.) Discourage random strangers (even family and friends) from frequently touching your baby - especially in their face and on their hands. Babies are very susceptible to germs and can easily break out in skin rashes due to dirt and irritants from the hands of others.

* Protection From Dry Skin

For those who have children with severely dry skin or skin conditions such as eczema, they know just how vital it is to keep their precious one's skin moisturized.

The best ways to do this involves...

1.) Limiting their bath time to no more then 10 minutes.

2.) Applying oils such as evening primroseoil, olive oil, or mineral oil to baby's bath water. Thereby, helping to maintain the moisture of your baby's skin.

3.) Using non-scented lotions specifically for babies (instead of baby oil since lotions tend to be more effective on dry skin).

4.) Using petroleum jelly on baby's skin (depending on baby's age, use skin creams such as Udderly Smooth [which works really well for my toddler]).

It is well known that one's skin is important to one's well-being. A natural protection from internal and external threats to the body, it is vital to keep it in good condition. How much more can this be said for the well-being of your baby. With these simple tips then, protecting the skin of your baby shouldn't be complicated at all.