Newborns Need Natural Skin Care

Newborn baby skin care is big business these days, with any number of products claiming to be must-haves. However, you might be surprised to learn that many doctors think these baby skin care products might actually be detrimental to your newborn. This is due to the chemical content of many of them.

It's important that you keep chemicals away from your baby for as long as you can. Don't interfere with the natural growth of your baby's skin. This discourages the emergence of skin irritations such as eczema and allergies.

Babies only require the basics of skin care. So avoid any kind of chemicals for the first month of your baby’s life. Indeed, in the first month of your baby's life you really only need to use a soft cloth and some water. You can comb thick hair with a baby comb to get it clean during bath time.

Pure and Natural

The best baby skin care routine is the all natural route. To follow a natural skin care routine, leave your baby's skin untreated as much as you can.

When your baby is born you may notice a white substance on your baby's skin that is sticky in texture. This is a natural moisturizer so don’t wipe it away. It should be allowed to penetrate the skin on its own.

If your baby is premature then it is even more important that you hold back on using any baby care products. This is because a premature baby’s skin is even more delicate than other babies. Don't use any skin care products at all on your premature baby until after the original due date has passed.

Keeping the Cord Clean

Before your baby’s cord falls out you need to make sure that the area remains clean and dry. There is no need to use any powders or lotions on it. If the area gets dirty simply use a soft cloth and water to wipe it clean before patting dry.

You might need to follow a different routine for cord care if your baby is sick or premature. An antiseptic product might be needed if there's a risk of infection. Your pediatrician can help you out with advice on caring for the skin of a sick or premature baby.

Start using baby wipes only after your baby is a month old. Make sure that the baby wipes you use are free of alcohol and fragrances. They should be as mild as possible. Moisturizers containing emollients are the best choice for a newborn.