Baby Skin Care

Newborn Skin Care

Bathing and Baby's Skin

Newborns have sensitive skin that can become dried out easily, so daily bathing is not recommended for young infants. Bathing your newborn a few times a week will suffice. Just remember to keep the diaper area and neck clean.

Sponge baths are the best option for your infant until the umbilical cord falls of. Use small amounts of soaps or cleansers specifically formulated for babies. Wash gently with a soft cloth.

Diaper Area

Keeping the skin in the diaper area clean and dry is important for all babies, but especially in newborns. You may want to use unscented wipes, like Huggies Natural Care, or just plain warm water and a soft cloth.

Irritation in the diaper area can be a result of moisture, but sometimes young infants have a reaction to certain brands of diapers. You may want to switch brands if you notice recurrent irritation.

Skin and the Environment

A newborn's skin is especially sensitive to sun and wind. While most pediatricians now say it's acceptable to use a little sunscreen on young babies, your best option is to minimize exposure to the sun by keeping your baby in shaded areas, using hats, and dressing him/her in light layers of clothes.

Covering your baby or his/her car seat with a blanket can shield your little one's skin from wind and cold when entering or exiting the car.

Skin Care for Older Babies

As your baby gets older, his/her skin will become less delicate. Older children can be bathed more frequently, but continue using gentle products formulated for babies to protect skin from drying out.

Although you still want to minimize exposure to the sun and extreme temperatures, sunscreen is essential if your little one will be outside. Be sure to use a sunscreen with a high SPF specially formulated for babies.

Baby Skin Care Products

In addition to a mild baby wash and/or shampoo, the following items are good to have on hand for your newborn baby skin care:

• Mild baby lotion. Use frequently after baths to keep baby's skin moisturized, especially during winter months.

• Baby oil. Some parents like to use baby oil as an alternative to lotion to moisturize skin.

• Baby powder. Baby powders with cornstarch are recommended for use after diaper changes. Put the powder in the palm of your hand and then apply it to keep your little one from inhaling the powder.

• Diaper rash prevention creams. The best way to prevent diaper rash is frequent diaper changes. However, using a barrier cream or ointment containing lanolin, such as Lansinoh, or petroleum, like A and D ointment can also assist in rash prevention.

• Diaper rash treatment creams. The best diaper rash treatments are creams that contain zinc oxide, like Desitin. Pinxav, containing both zinc oxide and petroleum, is another ointment that works very well for treating diaper rash.

• Laundry detergent. You may not think of laundry detergent when you think of baby skin care, but many detergents are too harsh for a newborn's skin. Baby detergents like Dreft, or those free of perfumes and dyes, like Cheer Free and Gentle are good options.

Common Skin Care Problems

• Infant Acne. This usually clears up on its own as baby gets older, but check with you pediatrician about topical treatments if it persists.

• Cradle Cap. This is an oily build up on the scalp that can become crusty or scaly. Remove build up with a soft-bristled brush and a small amount of baby oil or shampoo.

• Heat Rash. Keep infants in comfortable temperatures and avoid overdressing to prevent heat rash. If it does occur, keep the area dry and apply a light dusting of powder.

• Eczema. Eczema is an itchy skin condition characterized by scaly red patches. It often needs to be treated with topical or oral medications, so talk with your pediatrician if you notice irritation that doesn't improve with careful skin care.