This is a collaborative post.
We all wish we could keep our skin as soft and perfect as a baby’s. Babies are known to have perfectly soft skin, so it comes out as a surprise to find out that their soft skin is a myth. Yes, skin blemishes are common in babies, especially in their first year of life. So, if you thought that newborns have flawless skin, think again.
Yes, babies can generally have smooth, soft, and good-smelling skin. But it doesn’t mean that it can’t suffer dryness, blemishes, redness, and irritation. Sure, it’s necessary to clean the diaper area as often as possible and bathe your baby (not daily, as this can cause dryness of the skin and sensitiveness). Also, remove some of the oils and lotions that might cause irritations.
Not sure how to keep your baby’s skin smooth and healthy? Follow the guide below.
Limit your baby’s time in the sun
When taking your baby out in the sun, please be sure to follow these steps:
- Keep your baby in shade.
- Put a hat to cover their neck and years.
- Don’t take your baby out between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (the UV rays are the most powerful).
- Dress your baby in lightweight clothing.
- Do not apply sunscreen! Babies under six months of age aren’t allowed to wear any type of SPF.
P.S. Ask your doctor about using sunscreen on your baby, they must be able to help you.
It’s important to keep your baby hydrated in terms of feeding them with breastmilk in the first year of their life.
Dry skin in babies
It’s common for babies to develop dry skin in the first weeks after they’re born. These patches of dry skin will go away after just a couple of weeks, so there’s no need for additional moisturizers. However, your baby might have severely dry skin, or cracking skin, so you can apply jelly-based products. You can also use a moisturizing lotion, specially created for a baby’s sensitive skin. Avoid using lotions that contain perfumes, dyes, and other chemical compounds, which can irritate your baby’s skin even more. Instead, try to use natural plant oils, but make sure you consult the pediatrician first. Some oils (coconut, olive, sunflower) can actually worsen dry skin in babies.
Note: Choose gentle products for your baby. As you may already know, adult soap or shampoo isn’t suitable for newborns. It’s best to use specifically formulated baby products, according to their age. Usually, the products are non-toxic, contain no deodorant, alcohols, dyes, and other ingredients that may cause dryness or irritations to the baby’s skin. We advise you to take a look at the label of the products. Some formulas don’t provide any suds, but it doesn’t mean that you should add more. The baby’s still getting clean without bubbles.
Chapped lips
Dry lips are the most common problem for babies. They tend to drool a lot which causes chapped lips. Constantly wet lips can start to become irritated, so this makes the area crack. Use a gentle balm, made out with safe ingredients for newborns. For chapped lips, nose, and cheeks, use baby lip and cheek balm, especially during cold weather. It helps moisturize and heal dry skin.
Prepare for weird experiences
It’s common for babies to experience acne-type outbreaks on their faces, or over their bodies. Baby’s skin can change, and chances are that is no big deal. But if you want to learn more about a baby’s skin and how to treat it, make sure you consult the pediatrician. And be aware of the signs of infections, which are also very common in babies. Call the doctor whenever you see any pustules or redness on your baby’s skin, accompanied by excessive fever.
The nappy area
Take good care of the nappy area – it’s the most exposed to bacteria, as you constantly wrap and rub it, which may cause irritations of the skin, and nappy rash. So, you might prevent this by doing the following:
- Make sure you use absorbent nappy (especially during the night) – reusable nappies are super absorbant
- Baby wipes are irritating. Use cotton cloths or wool instead
- Do not use talcum powder (although everyone recommends it as baby powder)
Also, wash your hands frequently: the newborn baby must be kept as clean and dry as possible. Clean the area where your baby relaxes with plain water and cloth.
It’s normal to have thousands of questions about how to treat best your baby’s skin. When the season changes, new skin issues may occur. During winter, your baby’s skin changes because of cold air and harsh wind. And because babies have more sensitive and delicate skin, it makes them prone to dry out quickly.
So, once again: to avoid getting your baby’s skin dry or irritated, make sure you use products that don’t contain detergents, fragrances, and deodorants. It also helps using soap-free products, as these tend to not dry the skin as normal soap-based products do.
Just like adults, babies can get crocodilian skin, for many reasons. Almost every baby deal with dry skin from time to time. And this can leave your little one’s skin thirsty for some moisture. Thus, follow the above tips so you can keep your baby’s skin smooth, delicate, and healthy.
Simple home treatments that help hydrate your little baby’s skin:
- Use shallow and warm water for the bathing time.
- Apply gentle moisturizer right after bath time.
- Keep the baby’s room airy – consider adding a humidifier, if necessary.
- Opt for baby’s sensitive skin laundry detergent or rather not use fragranced detergent and non bio.
When to speak to your doctor about dry skin in babies?
Whenever you feel like. There’s a good chance that the strategies above work exactly as expected, but it’s always a good idea to speak to a specialist. They might recommend special soaps, lotions, and other products that are better for your baby.
