Newborn Skincare for Babies: Best Skin Care for Your Baby, Infant, & Newborns
As a new mom, getting home and settling into a new way of life with your newborn baby boy or girl can feel equal parts exciting and daunting.
You might be addicted to that new baby smell, their soft skin and hair, and their tiny fingers and toes. But you can also be scared of making mistakes and may feel intimidated by the sleepless nights that lie ahead. It's all part of the journey of becoming parents!
Even with a home full of baby clothes, toys, and a stroller at the ready, you will still need to prepare for the needs your baby's skin will have. Between diaper rash, eczema, and baby acne, there's a lot to keep up with when it comes to your baby's sensitive skin.
Like any new parents, you just want to do what's best for your child, and we know that keeping your baby safe and healthy is your number one priority. That's why we're here to share our best baby care tips and skincare advice, to arm you with the knowledge you need to get through the coming months.
What To Expect From Your New Baby's Skin
Your baby will be born with a protective layer of wrinkly skin called a vernix. This is nothing to be alarmed by, it can be left alone and it will peel off naturally within the first week or so after birth.
After the vernix is gone, your new baby will have very delicate and sensitive skin, and it will be prone to allergies and rashes while his or her immune system is still developing.
Newborn Skin Conditions To Look Out For
It's very common to see rashes, lumps, and bumps on babies' skin, so no need to panic if you see a little redness! But it's important to recognize the different types of conditions your baby may have.
Here are some of the most common skin problems that babies experience:
- Heat Rash or prickly heat – This happens because your baby's sweat glands have not fully developed, and they get blocked when it's hot or humid. You will see small pink or clear blisters on the face and body.1
- Diaper Rash – Diaper rashes are also very common for any baby and nothing to panic about. You will see a bright red rash on your baby's bottom, which is caused by chafing or dampness under their diapers.2
- Eczema – Baby eczema is characterized by patches of flaky, dry skin, which can be red, brown, or gray in color. This will be itchy and irritating, and your baby will show signs of discomfort.3
- Seborrheic dermatitis (also known as cradle cap) - This is characterized by crusty or oily patches of skin on the scalp area, along with dandruff.
- Erythema toxicum – This is a common and harmless rash that newborn babies often get, it is recognizable by small red patches and some pimples.
- Neonatal acne – This is characterized by small red or white bumps on the face. It is harmless and common, with 20% of newborns showing signs between 0 and 3 months of age.
- Infantile acne – This occurs after the age of 3 months, and it again affects approximately 20% of babies. It might be more serious at this age and need over-the-counter or prescription treatment from a doctor or pediatrician.
While most of these conditions are nothing to panic about, it is important to keep in contact with your doctor, pediatrician, or health care provider about any unusual changes.
8 Best Skincare Tips For Your Baby
Here are the most important things to be aware of when caring for your newborn baby's delicate skin:
1. Be Gentle
As baby skin is extra sensitive, it's important that you choose your baby skin care products carefully. Avoid harsh soaps and scented baby products, and choose a gentle baby shampoo and baby soaps that are non-toxic and fragrance-free.
When bathing, your approach should be gentle too! Don't scrub your baby in the bath, just gently wipe them down with a soft washcloth.
Ingredients to avoid in baby skin care products include:
- Fragrances
- Phthalates
- Sulfates
- Talc
- Bleach
- Parabens
2. Less is More
When it comes to bath time, remember that less is more.
Don't bathe your baby too often, as frequent bathing can strip their skin of the natural oils it needs to protect against irritation, dryness, and infection.
While they are newborn and still have their umbilical cord, you'll need to do sponge baths only, as you do not want to get the umbilical cord wet while bathing.
Once the umbilical cord has fallen off, you can bathe them with water two to three times a week. This can be a sponge bath or you can move on to tub baths. Just make sure the temperature of the bathing water is warm, not hot!
Use a soft cloth with a small amount of baby soap and bath water to gently wipe them clean, and use a damp cotton ball to gently dab and clean the face and delicate eye area.
Of course, your baby will probably still get dirty in between each sponge bath or tub bath. You can wipe their face and body (especially the diaper area!) clean with water or baby wipes in between baths.
3. Sun Protection is Key
Because newborn babies have such sensitive and delicate skin, the sun's rays are going to be especially harsh for them.
As sunscreen is generally not suitable for the first 6 months, you should avoid sun exposure as much as possible during this time. This doesn't mean you have to stay indoors all day though, fresh air is healthy for you and your baby!
When you do go outdoors, protection is key. This means always keeping your baby in the shade, covering them under the stroller, or protected by clothes and hats. You can also get sun shades for your car's rear windows to keep your baby safe while you're on the move.
When your baby gets a little older, past the 6-month mark, you can start using a gentle, nontoxic sunscreen for extra protection. A mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is best to avoid irritation for your baby.
4. Wash Baby Clothing
If you're lucky enough to have a good support network of family and friends, you've likely received a ton of baby clothes as gifts or hand-me-downs.
But before you get too excited to dress your baby in all their new outfits, take care to wash the clothes before they wear them to make sure they are free from any potential irritants.
Use a gentle, baby-safe detergent in the machine, this should be fragrance-free and dye-free. You can switch the whole family over to baby-safe detergents and products, otherwise, you will need to do the baby's clothes in a separate set of laundry.
5. Moisturize
Don't be afraid to use plenty of lotion to keep your baby's skin hydrated, as it can be prone to dryness and irritation. Use a fragrance-free oil or cream – olive oil, coconut oil, baby oil, and petroleum jelly are all good options for your baby that won't break the bank.
Moisturize straight away after bath time to prevent moisture from evaporating, and if your baby's skin is very dry, you can moisturize as often as after each diaper change.
6. Keep Baby Skin Dry
While it's important to keep your baby's skin hydrated, make sure it never stays damp, as this can allow a build-up of bacteria or yeast which can lead to infections, rashes, and other conditions.
Wipe the face clean with a cloth after eating, make sure lotion is fully absorbed after applying, check diapers regularly, and make sure your baby's bottom is clean and fully dry after each diaper change.
Avoid baby powder though, as the dust can irritate your baby's lungs.
7. Recognize Rashes
Baby acne, diaper rash, heat rash, and skin irritation are all normal, common issues that you will get used to seeing often on your baby.
Apply petroleum jelly, coconut oil, or over-the-counter rash cream to relieve discomfort for your baby. Warm water from a squirt bottle can help you gently clean and soothe a diaper rash. Diaper rash also benefits from airing out the skin, so let your baby rest without a diaper on if the need arises.
Your local pharmacist can advise you on the right baby ointments for certain conditions. A rash that won't clear in 3 days, pus-filled bumps, or fever could be signs of a bacterial or yeast infection or another health condition, and you should always bring your baby to your pediatrician or health care provider in these cases.
8. Care For Mom & Baby At The Same Time
While you have a newborn baby, you probably don't have much time for your own skincare routine!
Sleep, basic nutrition, and above all your baby's health are probably going to be your main priorities while you're short on spare time and energy. However, there is one supplement that could help you with all three of those things, as well as helping your skin, hair, joints, and bone health.
Many pregnant women and breastfeeding moms experience thinning hair, dry skin, joint pain, and a loss in bone density due to a lack of protein.
A liquid collagen supplement like Taut Premium Collagen Drink is a quick and easy way to boost your protein intake, providing the right amino acids to strengthen your bones, reduce joint pain, strengthen hair and nails, and improve skin elasticity. It could also help you sleep better, too! 4
Collagen supplements work by triggering the wound repair response in your body, activating new collagen growth and helping your skin to heal more quickly, while also plumping up your complexion for a more youthful appearance.
For new moms, this wound healing action is especially beneficial, as it can help heal tears while strengthening muscle tissues, including your pelvic floor. Even better, collagen is perfect for treating stretch marks and cellulite, too.
Taut Premium Collagen Drink contains a potent concentration of 13,000 mg hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides alongside other skin-loving ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and grape seed extract. Our supplement is also non-GMO, gluten-free, preservative-free, and it is naturally sweetened with plant sugar (Stevia leaf) for a delicious orange flavor!
Repair & Rejuvenate In 24 Days
For a real boost to your skin, hair, nails, and joints, we recommend you try our Intense Transformation Program.
This program includes a 24-day supply of our Taut Premium Collagen Drink, designed to kickstart your skin's rejuvenation with a daily dose of rejuvenating collagen peptides. After 24 days, you can switch to drinking our collagen supplement 3–4 times a week for maintenance.
Because getting your health back on track, reducing pain, and boosting your confidence in your own skin will help both you and your baby!
Have questions about our skincare supplements? Contact our team today or try our skincare guide to find your perfect fit.
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