| A newborn's skin is soft and delicate. Proper | | | | mild, moisturizing, unscented soap. Heat rash |
| skin care and bathing can help maintain the | | | | also problem baby skin and causes little |
| health and texture of the baby's skin. It is | | | | bumps on the skin that can show up when your |
| important to understand that to take care of | | | | baby overheats. Keep your baby comfortably |
| Baby's skin the most natural way is often | | | | cool by dressing him in loose-fitting, light |
| best. Newborn baby may have some skin | | | | cotton clothing, especially in warm, humid |
| conditions that seem unusual to you. Most are | | | | weather. Massaging lotions and oils into your |
| fairly common such as Baby acne is a red, | | | | baby's skin can relieve irritation. But |
| pimply rash on the face. Generally, it | | | | anything you use should be free of |
| disappears over time. Cutis marmorata is a | | | | petrochemicals , which are themselves |
| condition where the skin looks like | | | | irritants. Premature babies skin is even more |
| pinkish-blue marble when exposed to cold | | | | delicate, so it is important to withhold all |
| temperatures. Erythema toxicum is a common, | | | | products until their approximate due date, as |
| splotchy red rash that can affect newborns. | | | | their skin takes longer to mature. If your |
| Some have firm yellow or white bumps | | | | baby is overdue, his/her skin may well be dry |
| surrounded by a flare of red. The rash tends | | | | and cracked. Don't be tempted to use any |
| to come and go on different parts of the | | | | creams or lotions. If night-time itching is a |
| body. Vernix is a greasy white substance that | | | | problem, use a cold, damp washcloth to soothe |
| coats and protects baby's skin in the | | | | the child's skin. |
| mother's uterus. Some babies are born with | | | | |
| lots of vernix still on their skin. | | | | Baby Skin Care Tips |
| | | | |
| Milia are tiny whiteheads on your baby's | | | | 1. Babies' skin needs cleaning and cares for |
| face. It is harmless and can be washed or | | | | a healthy function during their growth. |
| wiped off. Crusty patches on scalp. | | | | |
| Overactive glands in your baby's scalp can | | | | 2. Humidity causes macerations. Don't use |
| cause cradle cap. If so, use a mild soap | | | | talc. It is abrasive and irritates the skin. |
| containing olive, coconut, or palm oil and | | | | |
| possibly herbal extracts such as calendula. | | | | 3. Protect baby skin from sunburn as well as |
| Contrary to popular thought, most babies may | | | | associated problems such as freckles and |
| only need to be bathed two or three times a | | | | premature wrinkles. |
| week or every other day. Baths can be given | | | | |
| any time of day. Bathing before a feeding | | | | 4. Avoid frequent baths for eczema. |
| often works well. Sponge baths are required | | | | |
| at first. Bathing in a tub of water should | | | | 5. Keep baby's skin from becoming dry and |
| wait until the baby's umbilical cord falls | | | | itchy by adding non-allergenic oil to the |
| off, and a baby boy's circumcision heals, to | | | | bathwater. |
| prevent infection. Contact dermatitis can | | | | |
| develop after your baby's skin comes into | | | | 6. If your baby has seborrheic dermatitis, a |
| contact with something irritating or that | | | | mild hydrocortisone cream (0.5%) is safe and |
| she's allergic to. Keep your child's skin | | | | usually effective. |
| moist. After bathing, apply moisturizer | | | | |
| within three minutes to retain the moisture | | | | 7. Apply unscented petroleum jelly or a cream |
| in the skin. Avoid sudden temperature | | | | with zinc oxide to the skin of the diaper |
| changes. | | | | area to protect and lubricate for diaper |
| | | | rash. |
| Avoid using soap if possible and do not scrub | | | | |
| skin with washcloth. If soap is needed, use | | | | 8. Avoid using baby powder or talc. |