How to care for your baby’s skin

The top layer of a newborn’s skin is much thinner than an adult’s making it more sensitive to irritant and allergic reactions and dehydration.

Over the first month your baby’s skin will develop its own natural protective barrier. Damage to this barrier can lead to skin conditions so it is best to use only clean, cooled, boiled water for cleansing during these early weeks.

Six secrets to baby-soft skin

Practise good hygiene: Always wash your hands and use a hand sanitiser before and after cleansing your baby as their fragile skin is extra susceptible to damage from germs.

Top ‘n’ tail: Bathing your baby can be dehydrating. For the first week or so, ‘top ‘n’ tail’ by cleansing the face, neck and nappy area with cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled water. Use separate bowls for ‘top’ and ‘tail’ to avoid the spread of germs.

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Introduce mild cleansers: Always use extra-mild baby formulas, avoiding anything containing sulphates (SLS and SLES), parabens, phthalates, artificial colours and perfumes.

Beware baby powder: Although it is not harmful to your baby’s skin, baby powder can clog the air sacs in the lungs if it is breathed in. If you dry the skin thoroughly and give it time to air, baby powder is not necessary.

Use a mild detergent: To avoid skin irritations, stick to a mild washing detergent for bedding and blankets as well as clothes.

Bath-time: When bathing your baby, ensure the water is not too hot using the ‘elbow test’ and don’t keep them in the water for longer than three to five minutes. Apply a moisturiser to damp skin and pat dry gently with a towel.

Common skin conditions – and how to treat them

When the skin-cream ads talk of the “secret to baby-soft skin” they’re certainly not taking into account the realities of eczema, acne and nappy rash. But while it alarm you to see your baby’s flawless skin erupt into rashes, and rough patches, these conditions are common and usually clear up within weeks.

Nappy rash: This occurs when nappies are too wet or because of a reaction to a particular brand of washing detergent, nappies or baby wipes. The condition can also flare up when your baby is teething.
To help prevent the condition, allow your baby some nappy-free time to allow air to circulate – but don’t forget to put towels down first! Changing your baby’s nappy as soon as it’s wet and keeping the area clean can also help.

To treat apply a barrier cream such as Sudocrem. Eliminate the possibility of an allergic reaction by swapping your brand of detergent, nappies and baby-wipes one at a time.

Baby eczema: This appears as a red rash, which can be itchy and can become dry and scaly. It is most commonly found on the face, chest arms and the back of the knees.

Harsh cleansers and detergents can cause and exacerbate the problem. Speak to your GP who will be able to give you a prescription for a skin–softening emollient in the form of a topical cream or bath wash.

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Baby acne: Don’t be surprised if a smattering of pimples and whiteheads appear on your newborn’s face. Different to the acne common in teenage skin, “baby acne” (or neonatal acne) may be caused by hormones or by yeast production. It usually clears up by itself within a few weeks so there is no need to consult your doctor unless the condition persists or the area becomes inflamed or infected.

Infantile acne, which usually shows up between three and six months is a different condition and although not harmful can take up to two years to disappear. Ask your GP to recommend a gentle cleanser. If the condition becomes severe, they may prescribe a topical treatment or antibiotics.

Cradle cap: Cradle cap is a yellow, scaly, waxy rash on the scalp that arises as a result of excess oil production stimulated by the pregnancy hormones that are transmitted to your baby before birth. It can also appear on the eyebrows, eyelids nose, ears and nappy area under the name of seborrhoeic eczema (dermatitis).

Most likely to appear during your baby’s first three months, it can linger for weeks or even months. Fortunately, the rash is not itchy so you can rest assured it is causing your baby no harm or discomfort.
Ironically, although oil is the cause, olive oil can be effective an effective treatment. Massage into your baby’s scalp at bedtime and leave in overnight. Brush through gently to remove the loosened scales and shampoo as normal.

White bumps (milia): These tiny white bumps, found around the eyes, nose and cheeks, appear when the oil glands become blocked by tiny flakes of skin. The condition is very common and clears up without the need for treatment, as the glands open up.