The cherubic babies with soft, supple and smooth skin that you see in television commercials are not what most babies look like, especially soon after birth. Babies have thin, fragile and sensitive skin that needs tender, loving care. If the baby was born prematurely, it is likely to have dry, peeling skin at birth.
The flaky, peeling skin of newborns soon gives way to smoother skin. However, most babies have dry skin and it can appear anywhere on the body. Generally, babies get dry skin on their faces, arms and legs. Due to exposure to cold or wind, or due to medical conditions, the dryness of the skin can get aggravated and the baby could end up with dry skin rash or cracks in the skin. These can be painful and can make the baby very uncomfortable and cranky. Dry skin that is itchy or red could be eczema which usually comes up in patches on the face or in the creases of the elbows and knees.
It is important to keep the baby’s skin protected from the elements, especially during the winter, so that it retains moisture and does not dry up further. Spending too much time in hot baths can also cause the baby’s skin to be dry and parched. Even mildly dry skin can be itchy and can irritate the baby. The best body lotion for the dry skin of babies would be one that can be used as a moisturizer for the body and face and contains natural ingredients which do not harm the sensitive skin of little babies. PIGEON baby lotion is among the best moisturizers for dry skin on the market today. It is hypoallergenic and contains the goodness of Jojoba and Chamomile which keep the baby’s skin moisturized. This easy-to-apply lotion should be an integral part of your baby’s skincare during summer and winter alike as it soothes dry skin and provides it the nourishment it needs across seasons. The body lotion is most effective when applied after a bath or right before bedtime. It keeps the skin safe from getting irritations and chafing that can happen due to friction from the rubbing of the skin. PIGEON Body Lotion can also be used during diaper changes to form a protective barrier against moisture and to prevent nappy rash.
If the baby’s skin continues to be extremely dry or itchy, even after applying a good moisturizing cream/lotion, you should take the advice of a pediatrician to take better care of the skin. Also, if the skin develops a rash that cannot be explained and does not clear up (or gets worse) in a few days or the rash is accompanied by a fever, you should talk to the baby’s doctor. Do not use any medication on the baby’s skin without the advice of the doctor.
The baby’s skin at birth is flaky but it is greasy, thanks to the hormones passed on by the mother during pregnancy which make the skin oily. The same hormones are probably also to blame for the newborn acne or face pimples that some babies develop, around 2-3 weeks after birth. They may also develop tiny blocked pores called milia. This usually disappears on its own (just like cradle cap) within a month of birth.
It is confusing when you are advised to use a baby skin care cream during this time. However, babies need moisturizer even for oily skin. It is important not to give your baby his / her first bath (with lukewarm water) till about one week after birth. This helps to seal the natural oils on the baby’s skin. For the first few months, the baby needs a bath only 2-3 times a week. If the baby requires to be cleaned during the other days, you can use lukewarm water to wipe the body and face down. Avoid areas affected by acne and apply a light moisturizing cream for the rest of the body to seal in the hydration during bath time/sponge bath. During the bath, you can also use a baby oil like PIGEON Baby Oil to lock the moisture in.
It is unusual for little babies to have oily skin beyond the first few months after birth. As the baby grows and starts to crawl and move about, sweat and moisture could get collected in the chubby folds of the baby’s skin. This could attract dirt and grease. To avoid this, it is important to keep the baby’s skin dry with a natural, hypoallergenic baby powder like PIGEON Baby Powder. The powder also helps to soothe small pimples on the baby’s body caused by prickly heat during summers. Take care to keep baby powder away from the baby’s face.
Since baby skin is thin and fragile, little babies need daily moisturization. Moisturizing at least once a day will keep the baby’s skin hydrated and soft. If your baby has very dry skin, you may need to moisturize up to 3-4 times a day. In case your baby develops eczema or other skin conditions, always use a medicated cream recommended by the pediatrician.
