Skin Care Tips For Your Newborn

You must have recently brought home your newborn; now you are just trying to get used to your new schedule. Feeding your baby and keeping them warm is essential for them, but baby skin care is also crucial. Initially, they will be extremely fragile and sensitive to external conditions of the environment, which may affect their health. 

Understanding what your baby needs and comforts are of prime importance, and skincare can help later on in their growth and development. Parents should be educated on this topic so they don’t put their child’s health in adverse conditions. In this article, we shall discuss the importance and tips of skincare for newborns, so continue reading to know more. 

What Is The Importance Of Skincare In Newborns?

The birth of babies shows the transition from intrauterine life to the external life of the environment. The skin of newborns maybe be similar to that of adults in terms of structural compounds, but it hugely differs in its characteristics. In newborns, the pH level of the skin surface is high, and the amount of fatty acid is less than that of adults. This can cause skin problems like irritation, redness, and infection. 

Skincare for newborns and infants can prevent any kind of skin problem. Clothing, baby products, and detergents that contain dyes, fragrances, or chemicals can irritate their skin or cause it to dry out, chafe or cause rashes. All these can further lead to serious problems, so take precautionary measures before anything goes wrong with your child. Here are some of the tips that you can follow to keep your baby safe and healthy. 

1. Do Not Bathe Your Newborn Very Often: The natural oil present in their bodies is essential to protect the baby’s skin. It will get washed away if they are bathed too often or more than three times a week. As a result, the baby’s skin will become dehydrated and exposed. Eczema can make it worse if you bathe your baby very often. Newborns don’t really get dirty like adults do, except during stool and diaper changes; otherwise, they are clean. 

Your baby will also remain clean for the first month or even after that after they are born. So, there’s no need to bathe them with hard soaps and shampoos; just a sponge bathing twice a week is enough. You can use a cleanser or water to clean the baby’s mouth and diaper area. If the newborns are attached to the umbilical cord, give them a sponge bath once a week. This will play a major role in the baby’s skin care. 

2. Choosing The Right Powder For Your Baby: Powdering is necessary for newborns and infants. Many products and brands are available on the market for babies claiming they are right for their skin. But you must be careful and not fall for marketing gimmicks. Do not compromise with your baby’s skin; choose the right powder. Talcum powder for your baby should is selected with extra care and attention. Don’t select the ones that have fragrances or any other chemical that can irritate the baby’s skin. 

Powdering in the diaper area is usually discouraged as it can lead to further infections and problems, but you can still use it carefully and in less quantity. You can use herbal powders instead of powders that have grains. Powders from brands like Earth Mama are natural and chemical-free and can be used in any part of the body as a skincare regime for newborns.

3. Cradle Cap In Newborns: A cradle cap is one of the common skin conditions in newborns, which can appear between three weeks to three months of age. It is a greasy-looking and yellowish plaque that appears on the scalp and crown of the head. Cradle caps can also appear on their brows, faces, and ears. It usually goes away naturally after a few months, and it’s also not extremely harmful to the baby’s skin when it comes to skincare.

Apply a small amount of mineral oil on the affected area before washing the head and scalp with a mild shampoo. This can help manage the cradle cap in newborns without causing any infection. If the cradle cap doesn’t go away when it should, after a few months, consult with the doctor about the treatment options. But be assured that cradle caps are nothing serious, and you can always take skin care methods to deal with them.

4. Nail Growth Of Newborns: The nails of newborn babies are thin and tiny but can be very sharp. Nails that are too sharp or grow too long can scratch your baby’s face and body, which can hurt them and cause irritability. Hence you, as a parent, must keep an eye on how their nails are developing and whether they are causing any problems. Trim or file their nails once a week if they grow very quickly. You should use a baby nail clipper or non-metal file for smooth, gentle, and short nails. 

Be extra careful and avoid injuries or cuts from sudden jolts or movements of your newborn babies, as they usually get aggressive when it comes to such tasks. It’s best to cut their nails when they are sleeping or relaxed. Also, make sure to keep their nails clean and free from dirt.

5. Rashes On Newborns: Rashes in newborns are common, and there’s no treatment for it other than just waiting for them to disappear on their own. These rashes are caused because their skin at birth is extremely sensitive, and they are not used to external environmental conditions. However, when it’s about rashes, make sure to consult your doctor about what is expected, how you can take care of it, and whether there’s any need for treatment. 

Rashes can also be caused by stool, urine, and detergent, resulting in skin irritation. Bacterial infections, yeast infections, and other allergies can also lead to diaper rash. While changing your baby’s diapers, be sure to do it when they are still dirty or wet; after that, allow the diaper area to dry completely. After changing their diapers, apply ointments such as A&D, zinc oxide, or barrier cream to avoid rashes. 

6. Dry Skin In Newborn Babies: Dry skin is also common in newborn babies. Dryness can also be caused by frequent bathing as it depletes the skin’s essential nutrients, causing it to dry out. Don’t let their skin dry out; it can soon develop cracks and irritate. Use a natural moisturizer such as Earth Mama Baby lotion to keep their skin soft, supple, and hydrated. Otherwise, you can also use cooking oil like unrefined coconut oil and massage their body. Olive oil is also a good alternative when it comes to moisturizing the skin of babies. 

To keep your newborn clean while also preventing their skin from losing its natural moisture, sponge bathe them as mentioned above, and use moisturizer to prevent skin from getting dull and dry. Make use of all the baby skincare products like powders, gels, shampoos, lotions, etc., and be cautious if your baby is allergic to any of those products.

7. Baby Acne In Newborn Babies: Maternal hormones are responsible for acne neonatorum, also called baby acne. The same hormones cause acne in adults. However, there is no treatment for baby acne, as it will go away on its own within a few weeks. Pimples and acne are common on the baby’s face. Make sure not to touch, pop, or scratch it, as it may lead to skin infections, just like in adults. Keep your baby’s face clean if acne is there.

If the acne or pimple persists even after weeks or starts getting worse in time, don’t try home remedies as they may have allergic reactions since they have sensitive skin. Consult a doctor and ask them what to expect and if any treatment or medication is required. Pay attention and follow your doctor’s advice for your baby’s healthy skin. 

8. Other Tips For The Newborn’s Healthy Skin: The immune system and skin of newborn babies are very delicate. Avoid direct sunlight on your baby’s skin until they are six months old. Full-sleeve shirts, long pants, and hats can help protect the baby’s delicate skin from the sun. Also, make sure your baby’s newborn clothes are soft and clean; otherwise, it can cause irritability and infections. 

Sweating can cause prickly heat to appear in places like necks, armpits, folds of the skin, diaper areas, etc. Prickly heat can again cause irritation in them, resulting in their aggressive and moody behavior. To avoid that, make your babies wear loose clothing and help them to be in a cooling environment. Detergents, powders, and other baby products can sometimes cause irritation, dryness, redness, and rashes on the skin. So always, go for natural and organic products for your baby’s delicate skin. 

Wrapping Up

Newborn skincare can be quite overwhelming, especially because each baby reacts differently to different products. Make sure to follow the above-mentioned skin care tips for your baby’s healthy skin. Apart from that, if you want your babies to smell good, use organic products like Earth Mama deodorant.