There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your baby cry. And an itchy, sore mosquito bite will only give them yet another reason to burst into tears. Unfortunately, your little one’s skin is much more sensitive than your own. The creams and ointments you put on your own bites may cause more harm than good for your infant. If you want to know what to put on mosquito bites for babies, keep reading.
Ways to Relieve an Itchy, Red Bump on Your Baby
Although your child probably won’t bat an eye when a mosquito bites, the itching afterward may keep them awake at night. If you notice your baby frantically scratching a red welt, it’s time to jump into action. Here’s what you can put on an infant mosquito bite:
- Ice: Mosquito bites cause inflammation. Applying ice directly to the bite may help reduce swelling. The cold sensation will also calm the itch.
- Baking soda: If your baby seems especially bothered by a painful bite, you can try covering it in a baking soda paste. Simply mix a small amount of baking soda with a few drops of water to form a thick paste. Apply it to the welt, and let the paste harden for about 20 minutes. Not only will it reduce the itch, but the baking soda will also help dry out the bite.
- Breast milk: Lactating moms can apply breast milk to a mosquito bite to soothe the spot. Some studies have shown that breast milk is just as effective as hydrocortisone ointments on babies.
- Soap and water: A mosquito bite can become infected. Your child may even scratch until the spot bleeds, and broken skin can lead to an infection. Washing the bite as soon as possible with soap and water will reduce bacteria on the skin.
All of these mosquito bite remedies are gentle enough for your baby’s delicate skin. Best of all, you probably have everything you need on hand already.
Protecting Your Baby from Mosquitoes Before One Bites
Mosquito bites on babies are very common. While you can’t avoid every mosquito out there, you can take steps to prevent them in the first place. Try these proven methods:
- Dress your baby from head to foot when heading outdoors. A hat, socks, and even mittens will help deter mosquitoes. The less visible skin, the fewer areas a hungry mosquito will be able to attack.
- Choose light-colored clothing over dark items. Mosquitoes are attracted by dark colors such as black, blues, and browns. Even bright colors, such as red, are very appealing to these unwanted pests. When dressing your baby to go outside, choose clothes that are white, cream, beige, or yellow instead.
- Go back inside when the sun goes down. Mosquitoes are most active when the sun is low. Try taking your baby to the park after dawn and return before dusk to avoid a swarm of these blood-hungry insects.
- Look for stagnant water around your home. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Even a small amount of standing water can harbor a lot of mosquito larva. Dump out any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from setting up home on your property.
- Schedule a natural mosquito treatment. Babies are more sensitive to chemicals than adults. That’s why a natural barrier treatment is the best option. And when you don’t have mosquitoes flying around, you’ll feel much better about letting your little one take their first steps outside.
Prevent Bites Before They Happen
Mosquito Joe understands your concerns. That’s why we offer mosquito control. We use a combination of proven essential oils to protect your yard from mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. After we leave, you’ll be able to let your curious child roam outside without worry. Connect with us online or call us to schedule our natural barrier spray today.
