Why Cant You Use Baby Lotion On Newborns
Your babys skin is sensitive, so you want to minimize exposure to a variety of chemicals and synthetic additives. Lotions have a wide range of ingredients, some of which could be harmful to your baby, even if they are labeled natural.
The less time you spend putting lotion on your baby and the fewer ingredients she is exposed to, the better.
Best Budget: Johnson’s Baby Head
Amazon
If youre looking to moisturize your babys skin for a bargain, youll be happy to know that Johnson & Johnson has changed their formulation to a hypoallergenic, paraben-free offering. We love this budget baby lotion for its thick, creamy feel that goes on easily and absorbs quickly into your babys skin.
Plus, its got that classic scent that Johnson & Johnson has become known for. You might even be tempted to use it on yourself!
When Should You Put Lotion On Your Baby
When a newborn babys umbilical cord area is still not healed, dont apply lotion at this time. After the umbilical area has healed enough, its alright to apply lotion on your baby. According to various sources like Web MD, it is recommended that even at that point, you should apply only tiny amounts of lotion. The vernix in your babys skin takes care of it in the early days. When it starts to flake, then its an indication that youd want to start applying lotion on your baby now after the flaking has stopped. The flaking occurs after some weeks of the babys birth. You can use moisturizer or lotion when your baby seems to be having very dry skin after flaking or even sometimes before flaking but not during when the skin is flaking. Olive oil, petroleum jelly or Vitamin cream with vitamin D or A can be used as a lotion and moisturizer. These can also be applied when the skin flaking has finished to help the look of the skin. Consult your babys doctor for lotion recommendations just to be sure and to be on the safe side. The lotion also needs to be free of any fragrances and should be mild in nature.
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Can I Put Lotion On My Newborn Babys Face
You can put lotion on your newborn babys face, but only if you see its dry. Usually, you dont need to apply anything as their skin is still soft. But if you see some dry skin, apply a little lotion and gently massage in circular motions on the skin.
Remember to buy only baby lotion and not use any lotion on your newborns face. Since their skin is so delicate, any random lotion can cause irritation or allergies.
Can You Put Baby Lotion On Your Face
When you have baby products around the house, they often end up getting used by other members in the household as well. Take baby lotion for example. Some adults use baby lotion as a facial moisturizer and swear by the results. If its good enough for your baby, its good enough for you, right? If youve ever wondered if you can put baby lotion on your face, youve come to the right place.
It is perfectly fine to put baby lotion on your face as it is typically a gentle, light lotion that is easily absorbed. Baby lotion is designed to be used on sensitive baby skin so it is usually made with fewer harsh chemicals or fragrances that could cause irritation. Extremely dry skin, however, will likely need a stronger moisturizer.
There are plenty of instances when it makes sense to use baby lotion as a moisturizer, even on your face. Were going to share tips on how and when you should use baby lotion on yourself and your baby.
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When Can I Bathe My Baby
But if youre thinking about when to give your baby his first bath at home, the answer is: its up to you.
Gauge how your baby is feeling and if you are ready to give him a sponge bath for the first time. You can even delay until a week after you get home from the hospital. Until then, use lukewarm water and a soft washcloth to clean your baby.
Just expect your baby not to like it at first. Its always different. Some infants love bathing while others have no patience for it. You should also use a very soft washcloth. Plus, dont rub vigorously. Gentle pats are enough.
If you want to watch a step by step tutorial on how to bathe a baby for the first time, check out this video:
Parasol Co Soft+natural Baby Lotion
If you’re on the search for a natural and gentle baby lotion look no further. Parasol Soft+Natural baby lotion nourishes skin with 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and is developed with a gentle, plant-based formula to soothe and calm baby’s sensitive skin. You can get it at Parasol or find it in .
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Best Ointment: Tubby Todd All Over Ointment
Courtesy of Tubby Todd
Made from plant-based ingredients, this ointment is rich and creamy, and naturally moisturizes the skin. Its great for all skin types, including those who may suffer from eczema or cradle cap.
Reviewers have dubbed it the miracle cream for their little ones’ skin issues, like dryness, cradle cap, and baby acne. The thick texture doesnt feel greasy, and the formula is fragrance-free.
Newborn Babys Skin Needs Lotion
We all are aware of how delicate, and soft newborns skins are. But as they have extremely soft skin, that does not mean they are not susceptible to dry skin. A very organic compound named vernix caseosa is one of the reasons behind soft baby skin.
Vernix is a white, milky substance, which is covering the baby when she is firstborn. We all have seen it. While facilitating postnatal hydration, vernix coats the skin and plays the role of a barrier, helping your little angel with all-over accumulation along with retention of moisture.
This truly amazing, organic, natural moisturizer effectively keeps the soft feeling of your babys skin. But it does not last forever. Your baby will still encounter dry skin with or without vernix. In addition to that, your little boo also can experience several skin issues, rashes, baby acne, or eczema if not taken proper care of.
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Why Does A Newborn Babys Skin Need Lotion
A newborn babys skin is actually quite moist under the outermost layer. However, it does need lotion or a moisturiser as it can become dry when exposed to dry air in the room and also, after a bath. It is best not to bathe your newborn baby more than thrice a week, as this can strip the babys delicate skin of all the oils that keep the skin soft and supple.
The babys skin is sensitive and prone to irritation and eczema. Hence, you may need to use lotion or moisturiser to soothe skin irritation and combat baby eczema.
You can use lotions that are mild and fragrance-free to keep your newborns skin from becoming too dry. You can also use olive oil or petroleum jelly if you do not wish to use commercially available baby creams and lotions.
Skin Care For Your Newborn
A baby’s soft and delicate skin needs special care. Generally, it is best to use products made especially for babies, but your baby’s healthcare provider can advise you about other products. Products for adults may be too harsh for a baby and may contain irritants or allergens. Many parents like to use lotions. But unless the baby’s skin is dry, lotions really are not needed. Powders should be avoided, unless they are recommended by your baby’s healthcare provider. When using any powder, put the powder in your hand and then apply it to the baby’s skin. Shaking powder into the air releases dust and talc that can harm your baby’s lungs.
Many babies have rashes and bumps that are normal. Some rashes may be a sign of a problem or infection. Diaper rash can be irritating to the baby and needs to be treated. If you have concerns about a rash, or your baby is uncomfortable or has a fever, call your baby’s healthcare provider.
Laundry detergents may cause irritation to a baby’s delicate skin. If your baby seems sensitive to detergent, you can use a special detergent for babies with sensitive skin and give the laundry an extra rinse with plain water to remove any leftover detergent.
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When To See The Doctor
Its easier to distinguish dry skin from other skin conditions. When you apply lotion for dry skin, notice that the skin becomes soft and supple. If your newborns skin still doesnt become soft after taking care of it every day and doing everything you can to get rid of dry skin, then its time to visit the doctor.
If the skin is dry, peeling, or itchy with redness, it could be eczema. Eczema can be bad for your newborn and make things worse for them if not treated at the right time. Visit your pediatrician and dont start treatment by yourself under such circumstances.
When To Use Lotion On A Newborn
The tender skin of your newborn requires attention as their routine feedings. To protect the babys skin from drying and maintaining a soft texture, you should apply a gentle product to moisturize the skin. Therefore, it is important to know when to use lotion and moderation to suit the babys sensitive skin.
Heres when you should apply lotion on a newborn :
- Apply lotion all over the body immediately after bath. This helps reduce the chances of the babys skin becoming dry and flaky. Also, use mild baby soap for bathing as it reduces the risk of excessive dryness.
- Use lotion on areas that look dry. It helps heal the skin and keep it moist. If you think that your babys skin is drier than usual, you should apply lotion two to four times a day.
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Safety Measures To Take While Putting Lotion On Newborn
When it is about your precious prince or princess, you can not afford to negotiate the safety precautions. When can you put lotion on a newborn baby? Though you get the answer to this, still, it is still important to get some idea about the safety measures.
Here are some tips to follow while applying moisturizer to your newborn.
- Always select a mild lotion without any harmful chemicals.
- Before applying lotion to your babys body, always clean your hands thoroughly.
- Do not use more than one baby product. It can damage your babys delicate skin.
- Before putting your baby into new clothes, wash them properly. It will reduce the chances of allergies and skin irritations.
- Ensure you do not have sharp nails or any sharp ornaments on your hands that can damage your babys skin while you are massaging and applying the lotion.
- Bathing your baby thrice a week is enough. Regular bathing can strip the natural moisture of your newborns skin.
Does Baby Lotion Clog Pores On Your Face
Adults tend to look for skincare products that are non-comedogenic, in other words, ones that dont clog pores. Blackheads or whiteheads are known as comedones, and products that are non-comedogenic are products that are specially formulated to not cause clogged pores.
Modern comedogenicity tests are not always accurate since there isnt one consistent way to do this test and everyones skin is a little bit different.
The best way to tell if a product will clog pores is to pay attention to the properties of the product. The thicker the product, the more likely it is to clog your pores. The more oil contained in the product, the more likely it is as well. Baby lotions do tend to be lighter in consistency, but theyre not actually labeled as non-comedogenic. In fact, many baby lotions contain ingredients that are known to clog pores.
When youre searching for a lotion, be sure to look at the specific ingredients. Oils, alcohol, lanolin, and fatty acids are some of the most common pore-clogging ingredients.
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Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion
Enriched with sweet almond and sunflower oils, Cetaphil Baby uses natural oils and vitamin E to moisturize the skin.
According to the company website, this product is hypoallergenic, has a light fragrance, and is dye-, paraben-, and mineral oil-free.
Most newborns do not require moisturizing lotion unless they are experiencing skin problems, such as excessive dryness.
White Substance Keeps Newborns Skin Soft
Many parents dont know, but finding the right time to put lotion on their newborn baby is connected to their first bath at the hospital and removal of vernix.
Now that you know that vernix is beneficial to your babys skin, you should know how an early remover of this white substance can cause early dryness to appear.
This substance keeps your newborns skin smooth and soft for a week or two. But this only stays that way if you delay their first bath at the hospital after birth. You need to let your doctor and nurse know that you dont wish to bathe your baby after birth.
Its beneficial for the baby and not dirty. Request the nurse to remove the traces of blood and amniotic fluid with a cloth. Even if you delay the first bath for 24 to 48 hours, the vernix caseosa will have its benefits.
For the next two days after the birth, gently rub this substance into their skin so its absorbed, making your newborns skin soft.
But if the baby is born dirty, that means covered in their stool which sometimes happens, and then its vital for the newborn to bath as soon as possible, so they dont end up consuming it.
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Is It Okay To Put Lotion On A Baby
Skincare for your baby is just as important as changing their diapers or feeding the right and healthy food. Its also just as important as your own skincare. When your baby is small and little, their skin sometimes looks like its sort of peeling and starts to look very dry and hard. No, your baby is not a reptile in disguise, nor is it becoming a crispy chicken nugget. Your babys vernix is simply losing its touch in protecting your babys skin. You think about using lotion at this time, and its alright to do so but not really recommended.
However, according to various researches, when babies are newborns, they need a little bit of lotion to help their vernix. Its not really necessary, though, as the vernix makes sure that your babys skin is in top notch condition. When the vernix starts to shed and lose its touch, it looks like your babys skin is shedding like a snake, at this time, its a natural process, so lotion isnt really necessary, and from certain researches, its actually said to not use lotion when your babys skin is flaking, it could harm the process, and some unwanted chemicals could get in your babys system. A substance called phthalates are found in lotion that can lower the amount of testosterone in male babies when applied at this flaking period. This research is yet to be fully confirmed though. Still, its a good idea to not use lotion when your baby is shedding their skin.