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Does Exposure To Sunlight Cause Skin Darkness In A New Born?

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Posted on Wed, 1 Jun 2016
Question: Hi Sir , My son is 28 days old , We are massaging him with mustard oil and putting him in sunlight after that. Please advise whether it will make the baby dark. Please advise which oil is best. Can we use sweet almond oil?

Should we stop mustard oil?
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Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Tactile stimulation or touch therapy is important.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcare.

Let me mention that the oil you use, is not absorbed through skin and thus all it does is to make the skin oily. What the baby actually needs is called tactile stimulation or touch. You need to run your hand all through the body of the child, a process very similar to massaging. So, I would not discourage massaging but I would discourage the use of oil, especially mustard oil. If you are to use, use ADVitamin Oil. You can use sweet almond oil too.

Putting the baby out in the sun is good as it will help in production of Vitamin D. It will not make the baby dark. The colour of skin will be as genetically determined.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Does Exposure To Sunlight Cause Skin Darkness In A New Born?

Brief Answer: Tactile stimulation or touch therapy is important. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on Healthcare. Let me mention that the oil you use, is not absorbed through skin and thus all it does is to make the skin oily. What the baby actually needs is called tactile stimulation or touch. You need to run your hand all through the body of the child, a process very similar to massaging. So, I would not discourage massaging but I would discourage the use of oil, especially mustard oil. If you are to use, use ADVitamin Oil. You can use sweet almond oil too. Putting the baby out in the sun is good as it will help in production of Vitamin D. It will not make the baby dark. The colour of skin will be as genetically determined. Let me know if I could help further. Regards