What Can I Use On Newborn Dry Skin

Sunscreen All Year Round

You know to slather the sunscreen on your childs skin under the hot summer sun, but the winter sun also can expose your family to damaging UV rays. Sun reflecting off of the snow can be especially bright and can even cause sunburn. Practice effective baby skin care in winter by keeping your little one well-protected. Because sunscreen may contain chemicals if your baby has extra sensitive skin you may want to ask your pediatrician about which brand of sunscreen is best. Avoiding sunburns early in life has been proved to be effective in preventing skin cancer later on.

Feed Them More Regularly

Newborn babies can quickly become dehydrated unless they feed at regular intervals, and chapped lips can be a sign of dehydration in a baby who is feeding poorly or is ill or vomiting.

Every baby has a different feeding schedule. During the first few weeks to months of life, breastfed infants will usually want milk every 13 hours, or about eight to 12 times over 24 hours.

If a baby with chapped lips seems to be eating less than usual or has fewer wet nappies, they may be dehydrated.

If a person suspects that their baby is dehydrated, they should seek immediate medical attention.

While chapped lips in babies should rarely be cause for concern, if a baby has chronic chapped lips or is very young, it is important to rule out any underlying conditions.

Newborns may have chapped lips for many reasons, including:

Causes Of Dry Baby Skin

Sometimes, babies are born with dry skin. This is most common in babies who are born after 40 weeks gestation. Generally, dry skin improves after birth, especially when the skin is moisturised.

One reason for babies developing dry skin is that they are spending time in air that is either dry, cold, or heated. These conditions remove moisture from the skin. Salt water or chemicals like chlorine or salt used in pools can also be drying.

Many babies also develop dry lips, and in newborns, dry lips are not uncommon. There is no special treatment for dry lips, other than making sure the baby is feeding well and they are not dehydrated. Dry lips can sometimes result from friction caused during feed times.

Another cause for dry skin may be too much bathing. As much as we love bathing our newborns, too much bathing can remove important natural oils from the surface of the skin.

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How Can I Treat Diaper Rash

• When you change your babys diaper, wash her bottom with mild soap and warm water or unscented baby wipes, rinse and pat dry. If the skin is really sore and red, it may be less painful to wash the area in a warm bath.
• Use an unscented barrier ointment, such as petroleum jelly or a cream with zinc oxide, to protect and lubricate the area after each diaper change. Wipe off any stool-contaminated cream with soap and water after each change and reapply.
• Do not share creams and ointments with other children and dont touch the affected skin and then put your fingers back into the jar. Use a different finger if you need more ointment.
• Do not use baby powder or talc.
• If possible, keep your babys diaper off for short periods to expose her skin to open air. This can help your baby feel better and heal the rash faster.
• If the diaper rash is severe, contact your doctor.

Caring For Babys Skin How Can I Treat Areas Of Very Dry Skin On My Baby

Your babys skin is sensitive and prone to dryness. Very dry and irritated patches of skin are common, especially in the diaper area and on your babys cheeks. Gentle and effective skincare, using products clinically and dermatologically proven to be kind on your babys dry skin, will help to support skin regeneration and leave your babys skin smooth and soft.

What causes babys skin to dry out?

Skin works hard to protect the body: to keep external irritants out and to support skins natural balance of moisture. A babys skin is thinner than adult skin so its more delicate and its natural barrier function is not fully developed. As well as being more sensitive and susceptible to irritation, it loses moisture more easily and so is prone to dryness.

A babys skin is particularly sensitive to changes in external temperature which can further exacerbate dryness causing skin to progress quickly from dry to very dry. You can read more in understanding skin at different ages and baby and childrens skin.

When dryness is accompanied by intense itchiness your baby may have Atopic Dermatitis. Often known as Eczema, its the most common skin disease in children and you can read more about it in Atopic Dermatitis in babies and children.

Patches of irritated skin often appear on babys bottom and are commonly known as diaper rash. Diaper rash isnt related to Atopic Dermatitis and can have a few different causes:

How should I care for my babys dry and sensitive skin?

Easy to use

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Wrap Up Well In Cold Weather

Weather extremes can quickly dry out a newborns sensitive lips. Wind, cold, and sun can all cause dry or cracked lips. Protecting a newborns skin from harsh weather, including hot and cold temperatures, may help keep chapped lips at bay.

Caregivers should apply a layer of baby-safe lip balm to protect a newborns lips before going outside, particularly if it is unusually hot, cold, or windy.

Give Your Newborn Plenty Of Fluids

On average, newborns need to eat every 90 to 120 minutes. And the only thing babies can consume in their first few months of life is breast milk and/or baby formula. These liquids contain all the nutrients your bundle of joy needs to stay healthy and continue growing.

That said, make sure youre feeding your baby often enough. This will not only keep your baby healthy and happy, but it will also ensure that theyre hydrated. A well-hydrated baby means well-hydrated skin, which can help clear up any peeling.

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Is It Normal For Newborns To Have Dry Skin

Newborn babies often have dry, peeling skin. Most of the time, newborn skin peeling is normal. Most people expect newborn babies to have soft, flawless skin, and new parents or caregivers often express concern if their newborns have imperfect skin. However, it should not usually be cause for concern.

Keep Baths Short And Sweet

Long, warm baths can strip the moisture from your babys skin, so make sure bathtime is kept to a minimum with lukewarm water. Opt for a moisturizing, gentle, and brief bubble bath. Go gentle on the toweling off to avoid irritation and, if skin is particularly irritated, bathe your little one every other day.

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Breasts And Genitals In Newborns

Quite often, a newborns breasts are a little swollen and ooze some milk, whether they are a boy or a girl.

Your newbornâs genitals may appear swollen initially but will look normal within a few weeks. Baby girls also sometimes bleed a bit or have a white, cloudy discharge from the vagina.

All this is caused by hormones passing from you to your baby before birth. Do not be concerned.

Boysâ testicles develop inside their body and sometimes take a while to descend into the scrotum. A health professional will check whether they have descended as part of the newborn physical examination.

Home Remedies For Dry Skin In Children

If you are breastfeeding your baby, then you can apply breastmilk over the dry areas.

Breastmilk is an Universal Home Remedy for many baby illnesses. Tweet this

Breastmilk can also help curing

Natural Oils like coconut oil, almond oil do wonders to babys skin.

Please Note Each baby has a different skin type, choose the oil accordingly.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of easiest available natures moisturizer!!!

How to use coconut oil ?

• Massage a thin layer of coconut oil throughout the body after bath.
• If you feel it might be very oily after bath, it can be applied several hours before bath and washed off completely.

How does coconut oil work for preventing dry skin?

• It retains the moisture content of the skin.
• Protects skin from microbes.
• Repairs the skin and gives a healthy glow.
• It is great skin softener.

Almond Oil

Almond oil also can be used to massage and apply over the body. Avoid the fragrant ones as they may have added ingredients. Use Plain pure almond oil.

Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants and help in nourishing and moisturizing the skin.

You can buy Organic Almond Oil by clicking the link.

Avocados are nutritional powerhouse providing numerous potential health benefits.

Mash the Avocado and apply it over your childs dry skin area. Leave for 10 minutes and wash off.

Avocado oil can also be used.

4. Aloevera

Aloevera is a natural moisturizer with antifungal and antibacterial properties.

How to use the Aloevera for your child?

5. Oats

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When To See A Doctor

Usually, there is no need to seek medical advice. Peeling and dry skin happens to most new babies and will stop once the new layer of skin is exposed. Still, there are a few signs to look out for.

If you spot any of the symptoms below, contact your pediatrician.

• Sudden redness, which doesnt go away.
• Cracked skin .
• Persistent dry patches.

Ways To Manage Your Babys Dry Peeling Skin

These are some steps you can take to protect your babyâs delicate skin and help prevent dryness and peeling:

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When To Call Your Babys Healthcare Provider

After the first few weeks of the typical newborn skin peeling and flaking have passed, if your babyâs skin still seems dry or even irritated, even when youâve followed all the tips above, itâs best to get in touch with your babyâs healthcare provider. Sometimes dry, flaky skin may be the result of an allergic reaction or skin rash that may need to be treated with a prescription medication.If the red, flaky skin is in the diaper area, it may be diaper rash. Diaper rash can often be managed at home with frequent diaper changes, exposing the skin to air more often, and by using a barrier ointment, but if the diaper rash looks severe or doesnât go away, itâs worth contacting your babyâs provider for personalized advice on what to try next.

Avoiding Skin Problems At Bath Time

Remember, newborn skin is soft and sensitive. Keep your baby’s skin hydrated by bathing them in warm water for only 3 to 5 minutes. Avoid letting your baby sit or play or soak for long in soapy water. Apply a baby lotion or moisturizer immediately after the bath while their skin is still wet, and then pat dry instead of rubbing. If you are bathing your newborn, use a sponge bath if the cord has not yet fallen off.

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What Parents And Professionals Need To Know About Newborn Skincare

When it comes to looking after babys skin, midwives and MSWs often have to answer many questions from new parents.

When should baby have their first bath? What can I put in the water? Should I use petroleum jelly every time I change the nappy? What can I put on babys skin if it looks dry? It can be difficult to know the right answer because there is very little research and evidence to support parents in their search to do the right thing. We also know there is a rise in the prevalence of childhood atopic eczema. In addition to these factors, the most recent NICE guidance on infant skincare was written in 2006 and really needs updating.

As a response to this situation, the Royal College of Midwives commissioned the University of Manchester to undertake a review of the evidence on healthy newborn skincare, assess what the advice given by healthcare professionals is and how that information is received by parents. The team at the University of Manchester then developed recommendations and guidance detailing what and how parents want to know newborn skincare information. They have also produced key information for healthcare professionals on how to respond to parents questions and concerns.

Normal Causes Of Peeling Skin

When your baby is born, youll notice that they are covered in fluid. This is usually a mix of amniotic fluid, the fluid theyve been living in, as well as the mothers blood. Your nurse will dry your baby off with warm, clean towels. A newborn can quickly lose body heat, so your child will be placed under a heat lamp during this process. Because your baby has been living in fluid for months, its natural that their first one to two layers of skin will flake off in the coming weeks.

One of the liquids that the nurse will wipe off of your baby after birth is called vernix caseosa. This is a thick, cheese-like substance made up of the babys shed skin cells and secretions. Because your child has been living in fluid, the skin cells form a thick paste that covers parts of the body. Once the vernix is gently wiped away, you may notice your babys skin has already begun to flake this is more common in babies born after 40 weeks.

As a rule of thumb, the more vernix a baby is born with, the less their skin will peel later on. Babies who are born with more vernix may peel less because their skin is protected. This explains why premature babies, who are born with more vernix, tend to have less peeling than those born after 40 weeks.

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