Skin Care in Babies and Young Children

Skin Care in Babies and Young Children
Important Points
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Washing in warm water is all that is necessary
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Antibacterial and perfumed soaps are unnecessary
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A small amount of moisturiser such as sorbolene or aqueous cream is good for baby’s skin
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In the cold weather the skin can become drier and a moisturiser can be used two or three times a day
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In sunny weather use clothing, hats, sunshades on prams and shade to protect baby from the sun
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Infants and very young babies absorb more chemicals through their skin than adults
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Keep to a minimum the number of products that are put on a young baby’s skin
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Change nappies frequently
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Use nappies that are made of good quality absorbent material
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The nappy area can be washed with warm water using a little soap, sorbolene or aqueous cream
What is special about the skin of newborn and young children? After birth a baby’s skin takes a little while to get used to the new world. There are many things in the environment to which the newborn skin may be more sensitive than in later life. However, a few simple measures in the home are all that is necessary to ensure that a young baby’s skin is able to cope with the environment.
Washing the baby's skin Washing your baby’s skin with warm water is all that is necessary most of the time. Soap may dry out the skin. A small amount of unperfumed bath oil added to the bath will help to keep the skin soft. Avoid bubble baths as they remove natural oils from the skin. Antibacterial or perfumed soaps are unnecessary and should also be avoided. It is important
to carefully pat dry the skin folds including the armpits, groin, neck and behind the ears after bathing. A small amount of moisturiser such as sorbolene or aqueous cream can be used to clean the nappy area. They can also be used as moisturisers after bathing. If your baby has dry skin, or infantile eczema, it is important to avoid soap completely and use the moisturisers in the bath as well as applying them to the skin regularly. In winter, wash your child’s skin less often as the cold weather makes the skin drier. If the skin is usually dry it may require moisturiser applied several times a day, especially after bathing.
How does my baby's skin cope with different temperatures? The skin helps control the body’s temperature. In very young children, the temperature control is less able to cope with extremes of heat or cold. In the warm weather, light, loose fitting clothing made of cotton or cotton/synthetic mix is best. Try to avoid doonas, particularly in hot weather, as they may make the child overheat. In the cold weather, cotton or cotton/synthetic mixed clothes can be used. Woollen clothing over the top of cotton clothing is okay, but should not be in direct contact with the skin as it may make it itchy. The hands and feet in very young babies may look very blue and mottled in the cold. It is not a major problem but covering up the feet and hands in the cold will prevent it happening. Freckles are not normally present at birth. They are an increase in the colour produced by pigment cells (melanocytes). They occur in early childhood with exposure to moderate to large amounts of sunlight on the areas most exposed, e.g., the cheeks, the back of the hands or back of the forearms. Freckles may be able to be prevented by good sun protection. In sunny weather, light clothing, hats, sunshades on prams and shade when outdoors is the best protection against UV. When necessary, a small amount of broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or more can be applied to the small areas of the face, back of the hands or feet that are not protected by clothing. For very young children, a light lotion is better than a heavier cream. If the child’s skin is very dry, then a cream may be more satisfactory than a lotion.
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