Babies Especially Newborns Have Sensitive Skin So It’s Important To Know How To Care For Newborn Dry Skin & Diaper Rash Find Out How Here
Newborn babies have incredibly delicate skin, so a little extra care may be needed to help keep their skin looking and feeling healthy. You may notice from time to time that your baby has developed dry skin around their bottom. Always speak to your pediatrician for the best ways to manage dry skin at home.
There are some skin characteristics1 that are common in newborns, for example dry, flaky skin. The sensitive nature of a babys skin as it adjusts to the world outside of the womb means it can easily be irritated by soaps, the weather, and the contents of their diaper, which can sometimes lead to diaper rash.
If youre wondering what to do for diaper rash, and newborn skin issues, like dry skin and dry lips here are some tips that may be useful. Also, its good to remember that many of these tips can be great to use as part of your daily skin care routine for your baby, even as they grow out of the newborn stage.
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
Apply Oils Or Petroleum Jelly
Natural oils, such as olive oil and coconut oil, have moisturizing properties. Applying a very small amount of one of these oils to a newborns lips may soften the skin and reduce dryness.
Petroleum jelly can help lock in moisture. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly before bedtime will protect the lips against drool that could dry them out overnight.
People should use petroleum jelly with caution, as it can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, or coughing if the baby swallows it.
Treat With Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly, or Vaseline, can be a great way to soothe dry skin anywhere on the body, and it can work on lips as well. The product is milk and has no additives, so it is an option. It is important that mom just uses a small amount, and is careful not to put it in their mouth. Baby will likely be fine if they end up ingesting a small amount, but it can cause stomach issues and diarrhea if they consume too much, according to WebMD.
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Dab Breast Milk On Chapped Lips
Your breast milk is loaded with everything your baby needs to stay nourished. In addition to all of the nutrients that it contains, it also has antibacterial properties. This means that your breast milk can help heal your babys chapped lips.
All you have to do is dab a bit of milk onto your little ones lips to provide natural protection and moisture. And its easy since youve always got breast milk on hand!
We also recommend dabbing a bit of healing breast milk onto your own breasts in the case of cracked nipples. Or opt for our Nursing Comfort Balm to help protect your nipples and ease discomfort.
How Can I Treat Thrush
If your baby’s provider diagnoses thrush, she may prescribe an oral antifungal medication and recommend giving your baby acetaminophen for the pain. It may take about two weeks to clear up the infection.
For a diaper rash, your provider may also prescribe nystatin ointment to use in the diaper area.
If you’re breastfeeding a baby with thrush, many providers recommend that you apply nystatin or clotrimazole to your nipples so that you and your baby won’t pass the infection back and forth.
Check in with your provider if the infection still doesn’t seem to clear up recurrences are fairly common.
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Signs Of Newborn Chapped Lips
Youve probably suffered from a case of chapped lips at some point in your life. When newborn chapped lips strike, its very similar.
Your babys lips may be cracked, red, and dry, and if you touch them, you might be able to feel the dry cracks. And, as with adult chapped lips, cracked lips can even bleed.
Lets take a look at what can cause chapped lips on your little one.
Apply Nourishing Stick With Cold Cream
When you see your newborns chapped lips, you might be tempted to apply a bit of lip balm to them. However, with such a little baby, you must be very careful about what you apply to their lips since they could easily ingest whatever it is.
So, dont whip out your adult lip balm to use on your baby. Instead, apply a product designed specifically for little ones, like our Nourishing Stick with Cold Cream.
This travel-friendly moisturizer provides heavy-duty protection to relieve your babys dry lips and cheeks.
Composed of 96% plant-based ingredients, our hypoallergenic formula contains natural Cold Cream, lipid-replenishing ceramides, softening and soothing shea butter, and avocado perseose, a patented natural ingredient to help protect your baby’s delicate skin.
And, like all Mustela products, its free of parabens, phthalates, and phenoxyethanol.
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Causes Of Chapped Lips
Similar to adults, your babyâs lips can get chapped when the weather is cold and dry. Chapped lips can also occur from too much friction, such as licking lips or breastfeeding. While your baby shouldnât have excessive sun exposure because exposure to the sun can be another common reason for chapped lips.
Since a babyâs skin condition can appear worse than it actually is, you may be alarmed by how their chapped lips look. But, rest assured itâs very normal.
If you are breastfeeding, your babyâs lips may appear dry after nursing because of the constant contact with your skin. They also may develop a blister on their lip from friction during nursing.
Many parents confuse this with chapped lips. Seeing a blister on your babyâs lip is very normal when breastfeeding. Just be careful that you donât pop the blister. Instead, allow it to heal or come off on its own without intervention.
Can I Prevent My Baby From Getting Thrush
Not always. Some people are naturally more prone to yeast infections, but you can take the following steps to lower the chances of your baby getting thrush.
- Don’t give your baby antibiotics unless it’s absolutely necessary. Thrush is often triggered by taking antibiotics.
- Clean and sterilize pacifiers after every use, and disinfect any toys that go into your baby’s mouth.
- Let your nipples air dry between feedings.
- If you bottle-feed, thoroughly clean all equipment including nipples after every use by washing it with hot, soapy water or running it through the dishwasher.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after feedings and diaper changes.
You may also want to change your baby’s diaper frequently to keep the yeast from causing a diaper rash.
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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
What Causes Chapped Lips In Babies
Common reasons behind dry and chapped lips in babies include:
Image: Shutterstock
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Wrap Up Before Going Outside
When you head outside during the cold winter months, be sure to wrap your little one up! Protect them from the cold air by covering their delicate skin with a coat, scarf, hat, and the like.
Just make sure their little nose is free to breathe easily! You can also cover their stroller with a light blanket to provide even more protection from the elements.
A great way to specifically protect their lips before venturing outside is to apply the Nourishing Stick that we just mentioned. This rich moisturizer glides on gently and forms a protective barrier against environmental factors, like cold air and wind.
What To Look For In Lip Balms And Ointments
One of the best solutions to chapped lips is using balms or ointments to moisturize and soothe. When it comes to choosing the best products, Stevenson says the most important thing is to avoid fragrances and flavors as they can further irritate the delicate skin. You also want to avoid menthol, salicylic acid and camphor in lip balms, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, as they can irritate your lips. As a general rule of thumb, If your lips burn, sting, or tingle after using a lip product, stop using that product, says the AAD.
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How To Care For A Baby’s Chapped Lips
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Breast milk: This is the best option to treat baby chapped lips. Just dab a few drops of breast milk on the baby’s lip.
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Coconut oil: Pure unscented coconut oil contains lauric acid that is found in breast milk. Applying coconut oil could help in keeping the lips hydrated.
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Lanolin cream: Lanolin is used to treat cracked nipples. The same can also be used for treating chapped lips in babies.
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Regular feeding: Giving the little one enough feeding will also help.
When To See A Doctor
While many cases of chapped lips in a newborn will resolve without treatment or with use of the home remedies above, this symptom may also require a trip to the doctor.
If someone is concerned that their newborn has an underlying health condition or is dehydrated, they should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.
It is vital to keep watching for any additional symptoms and to tell a doctor about any changes that cause concern.
People can take certain precautions to lower the risk of a newborn developing chapped lips, including:
- Keeping the house at a consistent, ambient temperature and using a humidifier if necessary, can help prevent the air from becoming too dry.
- Ensuring that the baby is wearing weather-appropriate clothing when outdoors can protect them from the cold, sun, and wind.
- Being mindful that a babys skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin and avoiding the use of any lotions or creams unless they are baby-safe can reduce the risk of dry lips.
- Feeding a newborn regularly and increasing feeds in hot weather can help keep a baby adequately hydrated.
It is common for newborns to develop chapped lips, and it is rarely a cause for concern. Taking appropriate prevention methods and seeking quick treatment when a newborns lips do start to become chapped can help relieve symptoms.
Lanolin, coconut oil, and breast milk can all help moisturize a newborns lips.
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Why Do They Chap
Before we can look at how to treat chapped lips in a baby, we have to look at why this happens in the first place. According to First Cry Parenting, there are a couple reasons why a babys lips could be dry, and they are all important. One of the reasons for chapped lips could be an infant constantly sucking on their lips, but another could be dehydration and it is important to rule that out as a cause for the health of your baby. Chapped lips could crack and get sore if they are not treated, so it is always important to make sure that you are treating them in the best possible way.
Keep Your Babys Hands Away From Their Mouth
This treatment and prevention measure is more difficult but, along with other suggestions on the list, can help clear up baby chapped lips.
Your baby probably loves to put things in their mouth, and thats OK. Its a natural part of growing and is why you have to baby proof your house when your newborn arrives. But a hand, finger, or thumb in their mouth can lead to chapped lips.
For newborns, keeping their hands away from their mouth may be as simple as keeping them swaddled or wrapped in a blanket.
But for older babies, it may involve keeping them occupied with toys and other distractions so they dont pick their already-dry lips or suck their hands and make the condition worse.
Theyre going to put their hands and fingers in their mouth its inevitable. But do your best to minimize contact with their lips to give the skin time to heal.
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Dab Breast Milk On Newborn Chapped Lips
Breast milk is like the Elixir of Life for your baby in many ways, especially in the first days after delivery when its packed with colostrum. Not only does it contain vital nutrients that feed and hydrate your baby and help them grow, but it also provides them with immunity-boosting antibodies that help fight bacteria, viruses, and other various ailments. Including newborn chapped lips.
If your little one is experiencing dry, chapped lips, try dabbing a drop or two of breast milk directly onto their lips. The liquid will not only rehydrate, moisturize, and soothe their lips, but it will also help protect against possible infection.
What Not To Apply On The Babys Chapped Lips
Coconut oil has emollient propertiesiXThe quality of soothing and softening the skin.. Hence its use to provide some relief from chapped lips is common . However, you should not apply baby oil, lotions, and even natural remedies such as coconut oil without pediatric consultation.
Lanolin is quite commonly used by breastfeeding mothers for sore nipples . It might cause poisoning when ingested, but the effects depend on the amount of lanolin ingested. Medical-grade lanoliniXNatural moisturizing wax extracted from sheep’s wool. carries much less risk of poisoning . Thus, its use must be done under pediatric guidance only.
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What Causes Chapped Lips
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Weather: When the weather is very cold or hot, and the air is dry, a baby’s lips lose moisture and become dry.
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Breathing through the mouth: Infants breathe through their mouth when their nose is blocked due to cold. This allows air to be constantly on the lips, making them dry and cracked.
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Dehydration: Dehydration can occur in babies because of hot weather conditions or insufficient feeds. It can cause dryness.
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Allergic reactions: Allergies may be caused by lip balms, skin care products, stuffed toys, clothes or blankets, and they can make the baby’s lips dry.
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Medications: Medications given to babies may trigger chapped lips as a side effect.
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Lip sucking and drooling: When babies suck on their lips constantly, the saliva evaporates from the mouth. This leads to dry lips and ultimately cracks start to appear.
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Baby chapped lips teething: Babies bite their lips when they start teething. This can cause chapping.
Treat With Natural Oils
Mom may want to talk to her doctor before putting anything on her babys mouth, but natural oils, like olive and coconut oil, are typically safe to use on a newborns lips. These oils can help to soften the skin and reduce dryness. It may be wise to add this to your nighttime routine before baby goes to bed to help protect their lip as they drool at night.
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