Baby Skin Care 101

Baby skin care is an important skill for new parents. Babies are born with delicate, tender skin that is more vulnerable to damage, inflammation, and infections. Because of developmental and structural differences, your infant’s skin has different needs in terms of bathing, protection, and moisture (1). Learning to properly clean, bathe, and moisturize your infant’s skin is important to supporting their overall health.

In this article, you will learn baby skin care tips that include: how and how often to wash your baby, the importance of moisturizing your baby’s skin, why it’s important to choose a non-toxic laundry detergent, and ways to protect your baby’s skin from the sun. 

2. Clean Between The Creases and Rolls

Oh those creases and rolls! So squishy and yet they can trap spit-up, food, dirt, and debris making them a magnet for skin irritation! The best way to clean these hard to reach areas is to straighten out the rolls and wipe them clean with a baby wipe. Make sure to dry them completely after you wipe to help prevent any rashes from appearing.

3. Change Your Baby’s Diaper Promptly

With newborns averaging a diaper change every 2-3 hours, you may feel like you are stuck in a time loop full of diapers, wipes, and not-so-pleasant odors. It is important to keep up with each change to ensure your baby’s skin is clean and dry, which will help to protect it from various skin conditions.

If possible, choose natural non-toxic diapers or cloth diapers.

4. Moisturize Your Baby’s Skin

Although it seems like your baby’s skin is perfectly moisturized due to its softness, it lacks natural moisturizing factors, which are necessary for optimal levels of hydration (5). And with your baby losing their protective vernix, it’s important to keep their skin moisturized to help keep skincare conditions at bay.

If you are in need of a lotion that is formulated with zero common allergens and is safe for the whole family, our Cleanest Care™ Nourishing Daily Lotion (With Botanical Calmplex™) is a great option to promote hydration and nourishment in your baby’s skin.

5. Choose a Non-toxic Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent can contain toxic ingredients such as synthetic fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and more. Since your baby’s skin is so delicate, it can easily be irritated by these ingredients. Choosing a non-toxic laundry detergent can help limit the amount of toxins your baby is exposed to while reducing the potential for irritation.

It is common for families to wash their infant’s clothes in non-toxic detergent, and the rest of the household clothes in regular detergent. Because your infant comes into contact with everyone’s clothes — bedsheets, washcloths, towels, etc — it’s recommended to switch the whole family to an unscented, non-toxic detergent.

Check out my favorite laundry picks over on instagram!

6. Avoid Direct Sunlight

It may be tempting to take your baby to the pool on those hot summer days, but you need to be careful when exposing their delicate skin to the sun. Since the Food and Drug Administration recommends babies under 6 months of age avoid sunscreen, you will have to implement other ways to keep their skin safe from the sun (6).

Here are some ways to keep your baby’s skin safe from the sun (6):

• Keep your baby in the shade

• Make sure your baby stays hydrated

• Put a hat on your baby that covers their face, neck, and ears

• Have your baby wear UV protective clothing

7. Know When to Seek Medical Care

Because infants have such sensitive skin, they are prone to various skin conditions. The good news is that most skin conditions resolve on their own without any intervention; however, sometimes a trip to the doctor is warranted. For more information about common infant skin conditions, see: 8 Common Infant Skin Conditions- Dr. Green Mom.