Baby Skin

Baby Skin Care Products - Baby Oil, Hair Detangler, Hand Wash, Body Wash, Spray, Pampers, Wipes, Cream, Moisturise, Oaty Bubbles, Shampoo, Conditioner

A newborn baby's skin is much thinner and more sensitive than adult skin. These practical tips will help you care for your baby's skin.

There are a lot of skincare products designed for babies in the baby aisle of any supermarket. However, most experts recommend you 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 be irritating to your baby's skin.

Common skincare concerns

Shampoo: You do not need to use shampoo in most young babies' hair. Use a baby comb gently to remove flakes of skin from your baby's hair.

Laundry: Use non-biological detergent when you are washing your baby's clothes. Non-bio detergents contain no enzymes, reducing the risk of irritating a baby's skin.

Dry skin: Once your baby is 4 weeks old, you can use an emollient (moisturiser ingredient) 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 are dye-free and fragrance-free. 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. This can cause a yellow crusty appearance on your baby's scalp. This is known as 'cradle cap'. Once your baby is a few weeks old (around 6 weeks), use mild baby shampoo. The reason to use baby shampoo instead of adult shampoos is that they should be tear-free - it doesn't irritate the eyes. Read the label to make sure you are buying a 'tear-free' product. This, together with soft brushing, should remove the scaly skin. Small amounts of natural baby oil rubbed on the scaly parts can help soften them and make them easier to remove. If these methods do not work, speak to your pharmacist or your public health nurse for advice.