How to Soothe Baby’s Skin: Common Problems and Skincare Tips

Going from the neutral environment of a womb to the harsh realities of the outside world can get a bit much for a newborn’s brand-new skin.

It needs all the love and care it can get to not fall prey to rashes, dryness, and other skin issues. And even if it does, with this guide, you’ll know what to do.

Scroll down to read expert tips on how to soothe a baby’s skin and the common issues you need to be mindful of.

Baby Skin 101: Common Issues You Should Know About

Human skin acts as a physical barrier, shielding the body from free radicals. It not only protects us from allergens, chemicals, and UV rays but also regulates the body’s temperature and prevents moisture loss.

However, the protective elements of a baby’s skin are nowhere as developed as those of an adult.

As parents and caregivers, the responsibility of strengthening our babies’ skin armor is on us. So, let’s get started by learning about the most common skin problems that a newborn can encounter:

Cradle Cap: Also known as infantile seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap is a fairly common, non-inflammatory skin condition that can affect a baby in its first few months.

It appears on the scalp as white or yellow crusty, greasy, or scaly patches. While it typically shows up on the scalp triggered by excessive oil production by the hair follicles, don’t be alarmed if you see it on the face or the forehead. It’s neither painful nor itchy and normally clears up on its own.

You can speed up the process by massaging the crusty patches with petroleum jelly or olive oil before washing them with a mild shampoo.

Milia: It’s extremely common for babies to have skin rashes in the first year of their life. In fact, about 40%-50% of newborns are born with tiny white bumps on their faces called milia.

Again, it’s harmless and doesn’t hurt or itch. You’ll see it vanish within the first few weeks or months without treatment. Milia doesn’t leave scars, so it’s a good idea to leave them and allow them to clear up naturally.

Regular neonatal skincare, like gently washing the baby’s face and patting it dry, is enough to deal with milia. Just be sure never to pop, pinch, or squeeze the bumps.

Diaper Rash: These are red, inflamed patches that occur when the skin around the baby’s bottom and genitals when the area gets irritated. Common causes include exposure to sweat, stool, urine, or fungal infection.

Putting the diaper on too tight or using harsh skincare products can make the rash worse. Thankfully, you can prevent it by following simple tips. In fact, most diaper rash cases are treatable at home, but do reach out to a doctor if the rash persists, gets worse, or is accompanied by a fever.

Dryness: A baby’s new skin is thinner and more delicate, and therefore, it loses moisture more easily. The dryness becomes particularly worse during winter.

With the right moisturizer and a few simple changes in the bath routine, you can keep your baby safe from irritated, dry skin. Scroll to the skincare tips section to learn what you need to do.

Neonatal Skincare: 15 Tips to Help You Soothe Your Baby’s Skin

1. Delay Baby’s First Bath

Give your baby their very first bath only after 24 hours of their birth. It’s what the WHO and experts recommend. Early baths can trigger colds, hypothermia, and a drop in blood sugar levels. The stress of a bath may be a bit too much food for a baby fresh out of the comfort of a womb.

When born, a baby’s skin is covered with a waxy white coating called vernix. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), vernix isn’t something that should be cleaned right away as it shields a newborn’s sensitive skin and protects them from injury.

Allowing it to stay on the baby’s skin for a while is another reason for delaying the first bath.

2. Sponge Bath Till Umbilical Area Heals

Stick to sponge baths for the first few days, including the very first bath. For a sponge bath, you’ll need a container of water, a delicate washcloth, and a soft cotton towel.

Begin by placing the baby on a flat surface, like the bed, or strapped to a changing table. Now dampen the washcloth in clean, soap-free water and use it to wash their face and the rest of the body gently.

Keep your baby covered in a quick dry bath towel, and only uncover the parts that you’re washing. Switch to a water bath only after the umbilical region heals completely.

3. Use Skin-Friendly Fabrics

When you’re shopping for sheets, pillowcases, and clothing for your baby, choose sustainably produced organic cotton instead of regular cotton. It packs in all the good qualities of cotton in terms of softness, breathability, and temperature regulation, and then some.

Organic cotton crib sheets, blankets, and muslin swaddle blankets aren’t just planet-friendly but also hypoallergenic, being free from harsh chemicals and dyes.

4. Limit Bath Time

Experts believe less is more when you finally switch from sponge bath to placing your baby in the water.

Try to keep the baths as short as possible, not more than three times a week, to maintain skin hydration. Frequent and long baths can rob their skin of protective oils, causing it to dry out.

When the bath is over, gently pat dry with a soft organic cotton towel. Avoid rubbing as it can irritate their ultra-sensitive skin.

5. Check Water Temperature

A good rule of thumb for making sure the bath water is neither too nor too cold is to dip your elbow in it. Avoid using running water to bathe the baby for the risk of water temperature fluctuation.

In fact, AAP recommends reducing the temperature on your water heater to not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding. Even in winter, bathe your baby in lukewarm water to keep dryness at bay.

6. Shield the Baby from Direct Sunlight

Babies six months and under should be kept out of direct sunlight. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take them outside. Just avoid outings between 10 am and 4 pm when the UV rays are the harshest.

Create some form of physical barrier between the baby and the sunlight using wide-brimmed hats, umbrellas, and stroller canopy.

Our muslin car seat cover is made from 100% breathable muslin cotton. Simply fix it onto your baby’s stroller or car seat and keep them protected from harsh sun, heat, and wind.

7. Sunscreen Safety

It’s best to avoid sunscreen for babies six months or younger or restrict it to exposed areas such as the face. Dressing them in sun-protective clothing or keeping them under shade is the preferred way to keep them safe from the sun.

For babies older than six months, opt for a fragrance-free sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and an SPF of 15 or higher. Even better if the sunscreen has titanium oxide or zinc oxide as active ingredients, as they tend to be gentler on the baby’s skin and are more effective in blocking out the UV rays.

8. Soothe Baby’s Skin Using Moisturizer

When a baby loses the vernix - the waxy white coating- the risk of skin drying out or peeling becomes higher. But since it’s not possible to keep it on forever, we turn to moisturizers.

Because a baby’s skin is so delicate and thin, using fragranced, chemical-laden moisturizers is a no-go. Instead, go for ointments, creams, or lotions without perfume that are formulated with ceramides to boost their skin barrier.

Allow the moisturizer to work its magic by applying it when the skin is damp or fresh from a bath. This helps in sealing in the moisture and reducing the risk of rashes.

9. Trim Baby’s Nails Regularly

Your baby’s nails might seem small and thin to you but know that they’re sharp enough to damage your baby’s tender skin. That’s why we think it’s best to trim them every week.

The process of clipping a tiny baby’s even tinier nails can be nerve-racking for new parents as well as the baby. Give it a go when they’re fast asleep, drowsy, or calm enough not to twitch or jerk.

10. Be Quick With Changing Dirty Diapers

A diaper rash is a fairly common condition, a leading cause of which is delaying changing dirty diapers on time. That’s why experts recommend changing a baby’s diaper often and not waiting for it to become saturated.

After all, it doesn’t take much wetness to irritate a baby’s skin. If they end up getting a diaper rash, you can treat it easily at home by following the tips below.

11. Tackle The Diaper Rash

There are a few things you can do if you notice your baby developing a diaper rash. First, clean the affected area gently and apply a layer of zinc oxide-based diaper rash cream.

Don’t wait for a diaper rash to use these creams. They should be a part of your diaper-changing routine.

If you want something more natural, you could consider applying aloe vera, calendula cream, or an ointment with witch hazel. It’s a good idea to check with your baby’s doctor first since these are, after all, alternative treatments.

Finally, make sure the diaper is loose-fitted, and avoid using fragranced wipes or those with alcohol as an ingredient to speed up the healing.

12. Use a Humidifier

Consider investing in a humidifier, as it can do wonders in keeping your little one’s skin from drying out.

A humidifier is a must-have during winter when the air is dry and made drier with air-heating appliances. Make it a cool mist humidifier instead of a warm mist one.

While both are equally effective in adding moisture back into the air, AAP recommends cool mist humidifiers for homes with babies and young children for safety reasons.

Unlike a warm mist one, a cool mist humidifier doesn’t rely on boiling water to produce steam, which can be a major hazard when you have little explorers in the house.

13. Use Hypoallergenic Bedding

All babies have sensitive skin, some more than others, making them susceptible to skin conditions like eczema. For eczema sufferers, synthetic fibers-based bedding made using artificial dyes, bleach, and harsh chemicals is a definite no. It can irritate their skin, causing the eczema to flare up.

Related Article: How to Layer Bedding - A Detailed Guide 

Consider investing in breathable, allergy-free blankets, bed sheets, and pillowcases made from non-toxic and all-natural fabric like organic cotton.

14. Use Baby-Friendly Laundry Products

Avoid laundry products such as fabric softeners and dryer sheets when you’re loading baby clothes. These highly scented products contain chemicals or oils that can trigger a rash in your child.

Opt for fragrance-free laundry detergent with natural ingredients instead.

15. Use Natural, Unscented Skin Care Formulations

Here’s the thing about a baby’s skin: it’s more porous and permeable than an adult's, thanks to its thinner upper layer and larger spacing between its smaller cells.

This makes it easy for chemicals and other irritants to breach the barrier and get absorbed by the skin.

According to AAP, it’s best to go for fragrance-free, deodorant-free, and hypoallergenic non-soap cleansers for a baby’s sensitive and dryness-prone skin. Experts also urge parents to steer clear of bubble baths and foam-producing soaps as these typically pack in detergents that are known to strip skin of natural protective oils.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide can help you keep your baby’s skin soothed and rash-free.

Don’t hold off on consulting a medical professional for skin conditions that persist, worsen, or are accompanied by other symptoms like fever, pain, and swelling - as these are often signs of an infection.

Your child’s pediatrician is also the best person to guide you on when to consult a dermatologist.