Skin care for newborns

A baby's skin is very delicate and has less ability to protect itself from external agents, so it deserves special care. Unlike an adult's skin, a newborn's skin is thinner, has less hair, has very few sebaceous glands, the immune system is still immature, and the skin's pH is neutral.

However, sometimes a newborn's epidermis can have large areas of peeling, redness, or scales in the first few days after birth.

Keep their skin hydrated

It is necessary to hydrate their skin every day by applying a hypoallergenic moisturizing lotion specifically for newborns, whether in cream or oil form.

The most vulnerable areas to moisture like the chin, buttocks, ears, and instep require more hydration. Folds form in these areas that accumulate dirt and cause irritations.

A baby's skin should not be directly exposed to the sun in their first weeks. This can be done with a suitable sunscreen or with clothing and shade.

Bath time

When cleaning a newborn, it is important to use a special bath gel with a pH of 4 to 4.5 for their skin. These gels dissolve quickly in water, produce little foam, and are suitable for the skin and hair. The water should not exceed 37 degrees and the bath should last 5 to 10 minutes every 2 or 3 days. Babies get very dirty, they are not able to sweat, but they usually have milk residues in folds like the neck or feces in the diaper area. The special skin of a newborn requires caution and not overusing baths. After the bath, when applying cologne, it is better to do it on clothes and use a cologne with little or no alcohol content.

Skin care in the diaper area

Regarding the diaper area, it can be cleaned with water, soap, or wipes and then apply protective cream to prevent irritations. Cleaning this area should be done gently, avoiding excessive friction. The goal is to avoid, as much as possible, contact of feces and urine with the baby's skin.

Clothing, always natural fabrics

Clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton is preferable, breathable, and made with products free of chemicals. Washing should be done with special detergent, without fabric softeners or bleach.

A newborn's skin has certain characteristics that make it different from older children and adults, suggesting that their care is different and special. If despite all these precautions the baby has any type of skin lesion, they should be evaluated by a pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist.