Newborns - Skin Care Advice

Just like adults, a baby's skin is the first line of defense against disease. It's often thought of as an organ of the immune system and maintains a physical barrier against disease. Maintaining your newborn's skin in top condition will help ensure both comfort and optimal health.

It may take as long as a month for the newborn's umbilical knot to fall off naturally. Until that time, it's best to avoid a tub bath. You could bathe them by just filling the tub to below navel level. But splashing and the baby's tilting slightly could make that tricky. Best to stick with sponge bathing for the first few weeks.

Giving a sponge bath a couple of times per week is actually very easy. In fact, just plain tap water warmed up to about body temperature is perfect. Make sure the room is a little on the warm side, too. Babies chill easily. Use a soft cotton towel and wipe gently everywhere, avoiding the circle around the navel to minimize the possibility of infection. A little bit of clean water that drips down, however, won't hurt anything.

Once you graduate to a full bath, two to three times per week is plenty for the first few months of your newborn's life. But keeping the face, anus and genitals clean at all times is important. Do that as often as needed which will seem like every hour on some days.

An excessively hot bath or (more commonly) being wrapped up a little too warmly can give a newborn a heat rash. It may also happen simply when the weather is hot. This is normal and no cause for alarm. The baby's pores are 'learning' to adapt to the outside world to regulate its body temperature correctly.

This heat rash or prickly heat may appear as small red bumps, often on the chest or around the neck. Adjust the baby's clothing or bedding to allow a little better airflow. If it persists for more than a day, a cool wet cloth can be applied locally on the patches to cool the skin. Don't overdo it. You don't want to overcompensate and give the baby a chill.

A large percentage of newborns will develop some kind of acne in the first few months. Don't worry! Infant pimples or neonatal acne, as it's called, is perfectly normal. Hormones cause the oil glands to be more active at this time, which can lead to mild acne.

Cleaning the face as normal is all that's required. The pimples will disappear all on their own. There's no need to treat them with acne cream and you should never squeeze them. For severe cases or any that persist for months, speak to your pediatrician.

Many newborns develop a patch of darkened skin on the scalp called cradle cap. It resembles a dirty area. Some studies suggest it is a mild form of eczema. In most cases it will disappear spontaneously.

Cleansing the area will help keep pores free of excess oil. A mild brushing can help keep oil moving from the follicles to the skin surface. Avoid harsh shampoos or vigorous cleaning, though. That tends to make skin conditions worse since it dries and roughens the skin. Let the body do its job with only a little bit of assistance from you.

Taking care of your newborn's skin requires only a regular habit of gentle practices. Babies are very robust and with proper care will do just fine. The newborn's immune system, while still developing for the first few months, is already an amazing thing. With proper diet and skin care it will keep your baby in optimal health.