A newborn baby’s skin is much thinner and more sensitive than adult skin. These practical tips can help you care for your baby’s skin.
Use water only for newborns
Use plain water when washing your baby for the first 4 weeks or so.
The chemicals and fragrances found in many baby skincare and bath products can irritate your baby’s skin.
Common skincare concerns
Follow these tips for dealing with common skin concerns and products.
Shampoo
You do not need to use shampoo in most young babies’ hair. Use a baby comb or brush to gently remove flakes of skin from your baby’s hair.
Laundry
It's OK to use biological washing powders (powders with enzymes) or fabric conditioners. There's no evidence that these irritate baby skin.
If your child has sensitive skin, talk to your GP or public health nurse (PHN). They may tell you to try non-bio washing powder.
Dry skin
When your baby is 4 weeks old, you can use an emollient (moisturiser) cream on any dry patches.
Read labels on lotions carefully. Make sure any products you use are free of colours, perfumes and alcohol. Look for hypoallergenic products that do not have dyes or fragrances.
If your baby was premature, wait at least 6 weeks before using any products.
Cradle cap
Your baby may get a build-up of dry skin and natural oils on their scalp. The build-up can look like yellow scales. People call the appearance of scales cradle cap.
Cradle cap is common and usually goes away on its own.
When your baby is around 6 weeks old, use mild baby shampoo to help reduce the build-up of scales on the scalp. Brushing their hair gently can also help remove scaly skin.
To make scales easier to remove:
- gently put a small amount of natural baby oil on the scales
- leave the oil in overnight
- shampoo the hair in the morning
If these methods do not work, talk to your pharmacist or PHN for advice.
Nappy rash
To prevent skin irritation, change your baby’s nappy often. Give your baby some time with their nappy off. This can be messy but is great for their skin.
Do
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always wash your hands before and after changing your baby’s nappy
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use cotton wool and water to clean your baby’s skin - try not to use baby wipes until your baby is 2 to 4 weeks old
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read all labels on lotions carefully
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look for hypoallergenic products that do not contain dyes or fragrances
Vernix
Vernix is a white coating that protects your baby's skin in the womb.
Many babies are born with vernix. In the first week after birth, the vernix absorbs into your baby's skin.
Concerns about your baby's skin
If you are worried about your baby’s skin, talk to your GP, PHN or pharmacist.
Always get skin rashes checked by your GP, particularly if your baby is unwell.
