Why Does Peeling Dry Skin Occur
A newborns appearance including their skin can change a lot within the first few weeks of life. Your babys hair can change colors, and their complexion may become lighter or darker.
Before leaving the hospital or within days of coming home, your newborns skin may also begin flaking or peeling. This is completely normal for newborns. Peeling can occur on any part of the body, like the hands, soles of the feet, and ankles.
Newborns are born covered in various fluids. This includes amniotic fluid, blood, and vernix. Vernix is a thick coating that protects a babys skin from amniotic fluid.
A nurse will wipe fluids off a newborn shortly after birth. Once the vernix is gone, your baby will begin to shed the outer layer of their skin within 1 to 3 weeks. The amount of peeling varies and depends on whether your baby was premature, delivered on time, or overdue.
The more vernix a baby has on its skin at birth, the less they may peel. Premature babies have more vernix, so these newborns often peel less than a baby born at or after 40 weeks.
In either case, some dryness and peeling after birth are normal. Skin flaking will go away on its own and doesnt usually require special care.
How Do I Treat Eczema
Once your baby has a flare up, try to treat it as soon as possible. Otherwise, hell rub his skin and aggravate it further, making the area extra vulnerable and dry. Follow the same advice as above in the treatment of eczema, and also remember the following points:
- Keeping your newborns skin moisturized is the most important factor. Special moisturizing creams like Aveeno or Cetaphil help treat the condition and soothe the skin.
- Moisture is a trigger for eczema. Keep your infant cool and moisture-free in lightweight clothing and thin blankets. Wipe away drool and saliva immediately.
- Keep your babys nails short to prevent him from scratching his skin. You could also cover his hands with mittens to prevent rubbing.
- Avoid clothes with tags and fabrics that rub up against the skin when dressing your baby.
- Heres a lesser-known fact: breast milk is a great medicine for eczema, due to its anti-microbial properties. Simply rub a few drops onto the rash regularly when youre breastfeeding and see the difference.
- Dairy, soy and wheat are known to be common triggers for eczema. Switching formulas sometimes helps.
- If the itching persists, your babys doctor might suggest a hydrocortisone cream and/or antihistamines to reduce the itching.
This article by the National Eczema Society is a good resource to find out more about the condition
Keep Your Newborn Hydrated
Whether youre breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, you can care for your newborns dry skin by keeping them well hydrated.
The liquids your baby drinks will provide moisture from the inside out, while the moisturizer you apply twice per day will help keep the hydration from evaporating out of your babys skin.
Ensure you and your little one establish a good feeding schedule to make sure theyre getting enough hydration and nutrients. Youll know your newborn is well hydrated by the number of dirty diapers they produce between four and six per day is ideal.
While youre tracking your newborns schedule, dont forget to care for yourself, too! If youre breastfeeding, that means taking care of your skin with our Nursing Comfort Balm.
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Jaundice In New Babies
When they’re about 2 to 3 days old, some babies develop mild jaundice. This will make their skin and the whites of their eyes look a bit yellow. It’s caused by pigments released during the breakdown of old red blood cells.
It’s more common in babies delivered by forceps or ventouse. It usually fades on its own within about 10 days, but more severe jaundice may need treatment.
Find out about newborn jaundice.
If your baby develops jaundice in their first 24 hours, they should be checked by a health professional straight away.
Newborn Dry Skin: Eczema
Most newborn skin problems, such as eczema or diaper rash, don’t develop for the first month or two. Eczema appears as a red, itchy rash mostly on face and scalp, at the elbows, and behind the knees.
A few tips on preventing dry, irritated skin and eczema:
- Minimize the use of soap and keep bathtime short.
- Limit your use of baby scented skin products. If their skin is dry, use only ointment or lotion on dry skin areas.
- Make sure baby wears only soft clothing, preferably cotton.
Check with your pediatrician about using over-the-counter lotions or creams to treat eczema. You may need a prescription treatment.
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Do I Have To Wash Child Garments Earlier Than First Use
As you could be unaware of the situations by which the garments had been saved, specialists suggest that you simply wash child garments earlier than first use. If in case you have bought the garments earlier than the newborn is born, then maintain them washed and prepared earlier than your baby arrives.
Now, allow us to the see the assorted steps concerned within the washing course of.
What Causes Dry Skin In Babies
Almost every baby will deal with the occasional bout of dry skin from time to time. And many of the same things that make your skin dry can also leave your little ones skin thirsty.
Exposure to cold temps and dry air especially common in winter can sap skin of its usual moisture. Spending too much time soaking in hot baths, though soothing and cozy, can have the same effect. And your babys thin, delicate skin makes it extra prone to becoming parched.
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What About Cradle Cap
You may have heard of cradle cap, but is it the same as dry skin? And what causes it?
While newborn dry scalp might look like flaky, peeling skin, cradle cap is a little bit different. If you notice rough, crusty bumps on your little ones scalp that feel oily to the touch, what started as a simple dry scalp may have now progressed into cradle cap.
Researchers arent exactly sure what causes it, but thankfully, treatment is essentially the same whether your little one is experiencing this condition or simply has a dry scalp.
In addition to following the tips in this article, our Cradle Cap Cream can help moisturize and hydrate your little ones scalp to treat and prevent cradle cap.
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 newborn’s 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.
Boys’ 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.
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Clip Your Babys Nails
Clip your babys fingernails to prevent your little one from scratching themselves and making their dry skin worse.
Dry skin is uncomfortable, and even adults can give in to scratching flaky areas once in a while. Your baby has none of the self-control that you do and may even scratch without meaning to.
Thats why its so important to keep your babys fingernails clipped to prevent intentional and accidental scratching. If you see red marks on your babys skin, even after clipping their fingernails, try putting some baby mittens on your little ones hands.
Why Newborns And Older Babies Have Peeling Skin
A newbornâs skin is delicate, especially right after birth, and it’s likely that your infantâs skin may be peeling. Flaky or peeling skin is normal at this stage and doesnât require any special treatment.Basically, in your newbornâs first few days and weeks, the top layer of skin sheds. This skin peeling tends to be more common for babies who were born past their due date.Itâs not just during the early newborn phase that you may notice peeling skin. Childrenâs skin is typically thinner and more delicate than adult skin and this means that it can lose moisture faster and dry out more quickly. Therefore, donât be surprised if at some point you see dryness, flaking, or peeling skin in your older baby or toddler. If your baby has a skin condition like atopic dermatitis , you may also notice more frequent dryness, flaking, or peeling.
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Delay Babys First Bath
Vernix protected your babys skin in the womb and can continue to protect babys skin after birth.
Rather than bathing baby on the first day of life, delay the first bath for one, two, or even several days. This allows the vernix to continue to protect and moisturise babys skin.
A gentle wiping away of amniotic fluid and blood, and rubbing in the vernix is enough to keep baby clean in the first few days of life.
Delaying the bath also allows for more uninterrupted skin-to-skin time with parents. The scent helps with baby bonding and feeding, as the scent a baby has from being in the womb matches the scent of the areola glands .
The benefits of a delayed bath go beyond just the benefits for the skin.
What Are The Causes Of Dry Skin
Babies are covered in vernix which is a thick coating that protects the babys skin from the amniotic fluid. After birth, the nurse will wipe the vernix off your baby. Once its removed, there will be some peeling or flaking. This is usually seen on the skin of the hands, soles, and ankles.
Other reasons why your baby might have dry skin include:
- The environment they are in is too cold, too hot, or too dry. The environment affects the skin of your baby more than it affects your skin. It takes away the precious moisture in your babys skin. Such an environment could be caused by using a heater during the winter months or using an air conditioner during the summer months.
- Bathing your baby too much will strip her skin of the extra oils and moisture she needs to stay hydrated.
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Newborn Skin Soaks Up Calming Touch
Giving your newborn a massage is important one-on-one time. Like cuddling, a massage is a way to convey your love and affection for your baby. In fact, research shows that a baby’s very survival depends on being touched by others — as touch triggers hormones, boosts immunity, and helps fight disease. Also, massaged babies are calmer, sleep better, and cry less — every parent’s dream!
There’s no special technique to massaging a baby. Find a carpeted floor in a warm room. Simply lay baby on a soft blanket or fabric. Get a little baby oil or a gentle lotion. Warm it in your hand. Then gently massage baby’s chest and tummy — using a gentle yet firm touch. Try to make eye contact and talk to your baby. Sing softly.
If there’s any fussing, baby may not be ready for a massage. Or the massage may be too forceful, so use a gentler touch. It’s the time spent together that’s most important.
Protect Your Baby From The Elements
Low temperatures, high temperatures, wind, and the sun can all make your babys dry skin worse. Protect their skin from the elements in the winter by covering your little ones hands and head with gloves and a hat.
And whether its winter, spring, summer, or fall, youll need to protect your baby from the suns UV rays, which can further dry out newborn skin. These harsh rays are present all year round, which means your baby needs sunscreen any time theyre outdoors.
Protect your babys tender skin with Mustelas SPF 50+ Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen. This 100% mineral-based sunscreen provides broad-spectrum sun protection for your newborns face and body.
Remember, however, that its important to keep your newborn from being exposed to the sun whenever possible. Always take the necessary precautions, such as staying in a shaded area with your baby, dressing them in long sleeves and pants, and avoiding peak sun hours.
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What Should I Know About Baby Eczema
Its pretty normal for babies to have dry skin on their faces and have dry skin patches. But its important to know the difference between dry skin and eczema. Eczema is usually considered as a baby dry skin rash. It shows up as red, itchy, and rough patches on your babys skin, and usually rears its head during the first few months of a newborns life. Eczema occurs when the body makes too few fatty cells called ceramides. Without enough of these cells, your skin becomes dehydrated and dry. It can run in families, so if you or your partner had eczema, chances are your little one might have it too.
The good news is its totally normal and most infants outgrow it by school-age if not sooner.
Baby eczema is different than cradles cap, which is just a cute term to describe a baby with dry skin on their head. Cradle cap is normal for newborns to have and is characterized by rough, crusty bumps that sit on top of your babys scalp. It isnt painful or itchy, though, and usually goes away within a few weeks to a few months with the help of a mild shampoo.
What Is Newborn Dry Skin
Newborn babies get dry skin just like older children and adults. In fact, your little ones skin may develop dry, flaky patches within a few hours after birth. Newborns are especially susceptible to dry skin because their skin is so delicate.
In addition to flakiness, newborn dry skin can also present as rough patches, hard areas, and cracks in the skin. While these symptoms may sound troublesome, dry skin in babies is very common and usually easily treatable.
While patches of dry skin can appear anywhere on a newborns body, its most commonly seen on the face and folds of skin, such as the neck, wrists, elbows, and knees, so its a good idea to keep an eye on these areas.
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Common Cosmetic Tips For Caring For Your Babys Skin
1. Arenson, J. and Drake, P. Quick Look Nursing: Maternal and Newborn Health. United States: Jones & Bartlett Learning chp. 31, pg. 203