Mum’s have a lot of questions, some daunting, some naïve, when it comes to their newborns. Even most experienced mums are at a loss when it comes to reoccurring questions like can you put lotion on a newborn, or should you bathe your infant every day?
When you have a little human to take care of when a little bundle of joy is dependent on you, there are a lot of questions and worries in one’s head, and there are some questions that one doesn’t have an ideal answer for.
A persistent question that child specialist, as well as pediatrician, gets is when can you use moisturiser on a baby? Well, who doesn’t want a sweet-smelling baby, but wait, have you thought about the consequences? Are there any adverse effects? Obviously, these lotions and potions are full of chemicals, should you be putting all this on your baby’s fragile skin, just to make him smell good?
You may have heard that most doctors, as well as health care personnel, are adamant that you don’t use any kind of lotions or creams, especially the scented ones on your infant. If you are worried about their dry and flaky skin, there are many alternates that you can opt for. Most mothers ask how to take care of my baby’s face if baby has peeling skin? Again, many doctors will warn you against it; they will give you alternatives that are hard or costly. So, half the time you are back to square one, you don’t want to put ointments on your baby so young, but you are scared to put lotions as well. The question still remains unanswered; can you put lotion on a baby’s face?
Many new and old moms are not aware of the fact that their babies shed the outer layer of their skin within the first few weeks of birth, shocking? It’s true. The healthcare staff removes the vernix when the baby is born, and after that, for a couple of months or weeks, the baby’s skin shedding process starts. This may seem as if the baby is having dry skin or skin peeling, but it’s perfectly normal, and this doesn’t need any lotion or potion.
According to the Harvard pediatrician Victoria Mcevoy, babies born after their due date have the tendency to shed more skin than an average baby born before the due date. If you are worried about the prolong dry skin of your baby you can use Eucerin, Aquaphor, Lubriderm, as well as Moisturelle, all these creams are recommended by pediatrician, and they are also unscented.
Lotions are full of harsh chemicals, and they are also highly-scented; the baby’s skin is too delicate to handle that. High scented lotions also irritate the weak and immature immune system of a newborn. Did you know that a seemingly healthy baby can get allergies due to your scented lotion? Well, Dye-free, odor-free baby products are ideal to avoid allergic reactions.
Let’s hear it from the experts
According to Sandy L. Chung, your newborn’s skin is extremely sensitive. So, it is important that you avoid harsh chemicals at least for a few weeks. These scented lotions and oils can cause rashes, and allergic reactions claim the expert. Similarly, you should also avoid powders as it can cause respiratory distress. However, many parents still want their newborns to smell nice, for that take the lotion or oil in your palm, rub it gently to warm it up and then apply to your baby’s skin, do so very frugally.
According to Susan Scott Ricci, Terri Kyle – Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, you should always bathe and apply an unscented lotion of needed and avoid putting lotion on your baby’s head.
As per Pual Pettit, lotions are a big no as they block your baby’s sweat glands, and babies don’t require lotion anyway.
So, it’s pretty apparent from the accounts of experts that lotions and scented oils are a big no, they don’t do any good. In fact, they may even harm the baby. If you do feel that your baby’s skin is dehydrated even after 2 or 3 weeks of birth, consult a doctor.
Understand Your Baby’s Dry And Peeling Skin
The natural shedding and skin peeling process last up to 2 to 3 weeks after the birth of a newborn. In this stage, your baby doesn’t need any lotion or oil to keep his skin moisturized; the oils from his skin take care of that without you intervening. Splits, dryness as well as dry patches are pretty common in newborns; this is how their skin reacted to the world outside of the womb. Areas like hands and ankles are more prone to this type of dryness. If you feel the dryness is a bit extreme, you can apply unscented Vaseline, pure and unprocessed olive oil as well as A-D ointment.
So, according to the ultimate guide to the question can you put lotion on a newborn, we conclude that you can put lotion on your baby but after a couple of months. Moreover, the lotion should be unscented as well as dye-free. Avoid powders, as well as soaps and shampoos as that, will add to the shedding and peeling, making the skin flaky. Newborns don’t need a bath daily; three times a week is enough for their cleanliness.
Best Baby Lotions
Although lotions are extremely bad for a newborn’s skin, there are many cases where the kids have chronically dry skin. According to experts, following are the top lotions that you should use on your infant if they have dry or patchy skin. However, you should always consult a doctor before applying any kind of ointment on your baby’s skin.
1. Babytime! Soothing Cream By Episencial
As a mom or someone who really loves and cares about the baby dry and flaky skin is hard to stomach. However, many doctors are against lotions and oils, the Babytime! Soothing Cream by Episencial is one of the many lotions that are natural as well as scent-free. It’s packed in a cream formula that has calming caledula as well as raspberry butter. These two key ingredients are best for restoring lost moisture. The formula is also helpful in treating baby eczema, cradle cap, diaper rash, dermatitis as well as baby acne.
2. Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion
Aveeno is a daily moisturizing lotion for your baby that gives you not only soothing ingredients but also keeps your baby’s pores from clogging. It’s odor-free and made with hypoallergenic that will not have any adverse effect on your baby. No rash, no dry skin, no dry patches or skin peeling for your baby when you have Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion. The formula doesn’t stay heavy on the skin, but absorbs fast and keeps the skin from clogging.
3. Pigeon Baby Milky Lotion
Pigeon baby lotion is manufactured especially for kids, so you can be rest assured that it’s hypoallergenic, has the perfect pH balance that your infant’s skin needs. Moreover, it doesn’t make the skin breakout, rather keeps it moisturized and keeps the dryness away. Pigeon Baby Milky Lotion is made especially to keep dryness at bay, less peeling and it also nourishes your baby’s skin. It’s perfect for sensitive and irritated skin. The natural Sakura in Pigeon Baby Milky Lotion is ideal for rough and patchy skin.
4. CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion is the brainchild of pediatric dermatologists, and it’s the perfect lotion for your infant. Your young one has sensitive skin, and CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion promises to keep your baby’s skin delicate, moisturized as well as nourished around the day. Made with all three crucial ceramides, this is the ideal baby product to have in your baby basket. The lotion is phthalates-free as well as paraben-free. If your baby is suffering from chapped, chafed, or cracked ski CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion is the only solution you need.
5. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
We have kept the best one for last, Cetaphil is known as the leader of skincare, both for kids and adult. This is the perfect cream and lotion for all your family. Manufactured with extra-strength emollients as well as humectants, the lotion has the ability to bind water to the skin. This technique keeps the skin moist and hydrated for longer. The formula is paraben, lanolin, as well as odor-free. Many have praised the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for being the successful solution of chronically dry and sensitive skin.
Although we maintain the stance that newborns don’t need any kind of lotion or oil, there are many cases where the baby may suffer from eczema or baby acne, and in such cases, these above-mentioned lotions can prove to be Godsend.
Conclusion
As a parent no one but you can decide what the answer to, when can you use a moisturiser on a baby? If you are unsure or worried about the dry and peeling skin of your baby, do not hesitate to consult a pediatrician.
