Do’s and Don’ts for Caring for your Baby’s Skin

Your newborn baby is precious and so is their skin. Newborn and infant skin is especially delicate and needs special care-taking attention. Follow the motto “less is more,” and adhere to the following do’s and don’ts for good baby skincare. 

• Do gently wash your baby 2-3x a week using a sponge bath. Other than the occasional spit-up or diaper change, your baby won’t get very dirty. Too frequent washing can dry out skin or remove protective oils. 
• Don’t scrub or rub your baby’s skin during washing. Rather, use a soft cloth to gently wipe skin clean as needed. Too much friction can irritate your baby’s skin and cause redness. 
• Do wash clothing before using it with fragrance-free and dye-free baby detergent.
• Don’t  use scented baby products for the first several months. 
• Do apply moisturizers as often as necessary. These don’t add moisture to the skin, but rather help lock in the moisture that is already present.
• Don’t expose your baby’s skin to direct sunlight. While spending time outside going for walks or being active is good for both you and your baby, their delicate skin is more susceptible to UV rays. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months, so the use of sun shades, covers, hats, and umbrellas should be used instead.  
• Do clean those skin folds! Most babies will have moderate to deep skin folds around the bends in their limbs. It is important to clean these skin folds and make sure they aren’t accumulating extra moisture as this can lead to redness, chafing, peeling and infection. 
• Do watch out for eczema and diaper rashes. Eczema is characterized by a dry, itchy rash most common on a baby’s face and usually appears once your baby is five months or older. Diaper rashes usually aren’t’ serious and will clear up within a few days with the use of an over the counter diaper rash cream. However, if a diaper rash remains longer than 3 or 4 days, or doesn’t clear up with the application of a cream, you may find yourself with a yeast diaper rash and should see a doctor for a prescription cream.  
• Do pay specific attention to rashes on hands and feet, especially accompanied by mouth sores as this can be a sign of hand-foot-mouth disease. A common occurrence in infants, Hand-Foot-Mouth disease is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as mild fever and irritability and usually clears up on its own, but should be monitored closely for worsening symptoms.  
• Do call your dermatologist if you have any questions regarding skin changes or rashes. 

Savannah River Dermatology treats patients of all ages from birth to old age. Want to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors? Give us a call at 706- 691-7079 or visit us online at srderm.com. We are located at 575 Furys Ferry Rd in Augusta, Georgia.