Newborn Skin Care 101

We have always seen commercials where babies have soft, plump skin that bounces when poked. So, it might come as a surprise when you look at your newborn and notice how tiny they are and how wrinkled their skin is— a soft, wrinkly bundle of joy with lines on their forehead! A newborn’s skin is sensitive and delicate, and to ensure it stays safe and soft, you must know the dos and don’ts of newborn skin care.

From baby bath essentials to baby skincare products to baby fabrics, your newborn’s skin may react to different situations differently, so we have compiled a list of ways to take care of your little one. The next time, the question, “How to care for a newborn baby’s skin?” pops up, you’ll know where to look.

A Guide To Newborn Baby Skin Care

Follow this cheat sheet for an effective newborn skincare routine and keep your baby protected, right from their wobbly little heads to their tiny toes.

Bath Routine

While bathing your baby, you need not hoard numerous newborn baby bath essentials. In such cases, less is more. Invest in a few quality products, and you are good to go. Bathing your baby every day is not necessary since regular baths may strip their delicate skin of moisture. Besides, since the tiny bundles do not get dirty enough until they start crawling and eating solids, two or three baths a week with a gentle bathing bar will suffice. You may use a mild shampoo on their fuzzy heads once a week.

Give them a sponge bath with a warm, wet cloth between bath days, and focus on the skin folds—where the grime tends to accumulate—and the diaper region. Follow the bath with newborn skin care products, like moisturizer and lotion.

Sun Exposure

We have often heard from our grandmothers how they used to oil a baby’s skin thoroughly before leaving them in the sun to play. However, experts suggest that babies should be kept from direct sunlight until they are six months old (1). While heading out on a sunny day, dress your newborn in protective clothing. Full-sleeved tees and a little hat with a wide brim can keep them safe and their plump cheeks soft and kissable. While protective clothing is a must, ensure the material is lightweight so they do not get too hot and sweaty. Try to keep them under a shade and once you are back inside, wipe the sun-exposed areas with a washcloth and follow it up with a moisturizer.

Washing Baby Clothes

Quality newborn baby care products include the right fabrics, detergents, and baby skincare products. To protect your newborn’s skin, always wash new clothes before your newborn wears them, as these have changed several hands before arriving at your doorstep. While it is not necessary to use separate laundry detergent, you may consult your pediatrician in case of any particular skin concerns.

On Cold Days

Cold weather can dry your baby’s skin, so ensure you use only the best newborn skin care products. Shorten their bath time, use a mild bathing bar or body wash, and lather some baby lotion on damp skin to seal the moisture. Cold days also bring chapped, patchy skin. If you notice rough patches on their cheeks, lips, or butt, use a hypoallergenic lotion to help restore softness. If you’re heading out on a windy day, use a baby moisturizer to protect newborn skin. At night, use a humidifier to combat rough, dry skin.

On Warm Days

Besides sunburns, warm weather can bring heat rash, so you must be prepared with newborn baby skin care products for hot and humid days. The pesky rashes tend to erupt in skin folds as red bumps, so keep these spots dry and clean, and keep the baby without clothes for a while to expose said areas to air. Choose light, breathable fabrics.

What type of baby rashes should you look out for?

Besides heat rash, your baby’s pillowy soft skin will sometimes break out in red, yellow, or white spots. We have listed a few common skin rashes that can usually be treated with newborn baby bath essentials and skincare products. Let’s take a look.

• Cradle Cap

Cradle caps entail yellowish patches and flaky skin caused by hyperactive glands. You can wash the flakes away with a mild shampoo and do away with the yellow crusts with mineral oil.

• Diaper Rash

If the baby’s butt seems red and sore, it might be a diaper rash. Ensure to keep their tush clean and dry, and keep the affected area exposed to air for a while between diaper changes.

• Infant Acne

The mother’s lingering hormones flow through the baby’s bloodstream and cause tiny bumps on the infant’s skin. Gently scrub the skin during baths and use a gentle bathing bar to eliminate them.

• Eczema

These rashes are itchy and flaky, and a gentle derma protect moisturizing wash followed by a baby lotion can help retain moisture and get rid of them.

• Milia

At times, you simply need to wait for the rashes to disappear, as in this case. These rashes appear as tiny white bumps on the baby’s cheeks, nose, and chin and disappear after a few weeks.

If the rashes keep spreading or form blisters and seem painful, consult your doctor.

Best Skin Care For Newborn Baby

Newborn baby care products must be:

• Able to offer long lasting moisturization
• Safe and gentle
• Free of toxic components like dye, sulfates, and parabens
• pH-balanced to baby skin
• Hypoallergenic
• Tear-free

If you are wondering where to find newborn skincare products that check off all these features, fret not because we have already looked for them for you. Baby Dove has an array of newborn baby care products that protect your little one’s skin and keep them smelling like a dream!

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• Author

Soumita Ghosh

Writer, painter, and an avid reader, Soumita loves to indulge in the arts that she loves. She has a Master’s Degree in English and is a Brands writer at MomJunction. Her writing journey began in 2017, and since then, she has been swimming in the world of articles, social media content, travelogs, and web content, among several other things.