Newborn skin care is a delicate matter. During the first months, while your baby’s immune system develops, you will want to use the gentlest cleansers and the smallest amount of lotion. But when the skin becomes dry, eczema and diaper rash appear, it is time to treat these issues. Always ask your paediatrician for advice.
Your baby needs skin-care products without colourants. Here are some tips before you start shopping:
- Read the labels carefully. Baby skin-care products that contain colourants and chemicals can irritate the baby’s skin and breathing.
- Natural baby-care products are safe for most infants. But if there are allergies or asthma in your family, your newborn may also be sensitive to the plants and herbs contained in some products.
- The label "hypoallergenic" can be misleading. This term means the product is less likely to cause an allergic reaction, but it does not necessarily mean the product is gentler on the skin than others.
- Look for products without phthalates or parabens. These chemicals are potentially harmful to babies.
Tips for caring for your newborn’s skin
Avoid bathing your baby frequently
First, resist the urge to bathe your baby frequently. Bathing too often — more than three times a week during the first year of life — removes the natural oils that protect the baby’s skin. This can make the baby’s skin vulnerable and dry. It can also worsen eczema.
Except for drool and diaper changes, newborns do not get very dirty. Babies do not work and they do not play sports!
For about the first month, a sponge bath two or three times a week keeps your baby safely clean. In between, simply clean your baby’s face and diaper area with a little water or cleanser.
A sponge bath once a week (or even less) is preferable for newborns whose cord is still attached.
Avoid products with colourants on your newborn’s skin
Do not use coloured baby products during the first months. They can irritate your baby’s delicate skin.
Wash new clothes
Wash your baby’s clothes before they are worn. Use only fragrance-free baby detergents. Wash the baby’s clothing, bedding and blankets separately from the family laundry. Or use the same detergent for the whole family.
Prevent diaper rash
Most often, diaper rash is caused by the irritating moisture of a soiled diaper. Diaper rash can also develop when the baby’s skin is not properly dried after a bath.
Sometimes, a bacterial infection can cause diaper rash. Babies on antibiotics are particularly likely to suffer from diaper rash, as the medication allows yeast to grow.
Best products to use to care for your newborn’s skin
There is a multitude of products to care for your baby’s skin. Oils, lotions, shampoos… It is essential to use the right products on your newborn’s skin to avoid dryness and irritation.
Here are some of our favourite products to care for your baby’s skin.
Baby cleansers and shampoos
Baby cleansers and shampoos are gentle and safe for newborns. But use baby soaps sparingly, as they can dry a newborn’s skin. We offer the 1st Shampoo Uriage Bébé. For soft, shiny and pleasantly scented hair. And most importantly, it does not sting the eyes!
We also offer the 1st Cleansing Cream Uriage Bébé, for frequent use on sensitive skin to keep it soft and supple. Apply to wet skin, lather well then rinse.
Baby lotion
Lotion helps to moisturise newborn skin. If you prefer a pleasant daily milk to use on your baby’s skin with a nice scent, try the 1st Moisturising Milk Uriage Bébé. Its soap-free washing base at physiological pH gently removes impurities.
On the other hand, there is the 1st Toilet Milk Uriage Bébé which cleanses and softens the skin at the same time. When you do not bathe your baby, clean their skin with a cotton pad soaked in toilet milk.
Baby oil
To care for baby, you will need massage oil, notably to relieve the pain of colic.
On the other hand, if your baby’s skin is dry, favour a cleansing oil for their bath. We recommend the 1st Cleansing Oil Uriage Bébé. This rich, pleasantly fragranced cleansing oil gently washes and preserves the hydrolipidic film.
Baby detergent
Look for baby detergents that do not contain colourants. Ordinary detergents are too harsh for newborn skin.
Diaper cream
The right diaper cream provides the baby’s skin with a protective barrier against wet diapers. The 1st Diaper Change Cream Uriage Bébé protects your baby’s fragile skin and helps prevent daily redness and diaper rash. Your baby’s skin is protected, soft and hydrated.
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