The dos and don’ts of caring for a baby’s skin

The skin is a wonderful covering to have for our body. Skin is soft and sensitive to a range of emotions through touch. It allows easy and complicated moves.

If you cut it, it immediately starts to heal. If you get an infection, cells come swarming to neutralize the invader. It protects our children and us against infections caused by bacteria and viruses, and its pigments protect us against the sun’s UV rays.

It keeps the body cool by allowing sweat to evaporate from its surface. It keeps our body warm by closing the pores. It mediates between the ideal environment inside and the conditions in the world around us without much of a thought on our part.

So what does mom or dad need to know about a new baby’s skin?

The baby has been bathed in amniotic fluid for months — without soap. Water makes up a great part of this fluid, and it follows that moisture, or water, is an important quality of skin.

Water is also the most important ingredient in cleaning baby. Until the umbilical cord falls off, sponge bathing is sufficient. Daily bathing isn’t necessary, but the diaper area must be cleaned with gentle soap and rinsed adequately. Be sure any diaper wipes you use do not contain alcohol.

When washing the skin of older babies and small children, use lots of water and little soap. The overuse of cleansers, either too often or in too great an amount dries skin, resulting in irritation, itchiness and flaking.

When bathing a small child who looks forward to playtime with tub toys, keep the water soap-free until the cleaning part of the bath begins.

Avoid giving your child bubble baths. Evidence shows that they increase the incidence of bladder inflammation.

A number of substances babies bump into in the world after birth irritate and/or dry the skin. Baby needs to avoid those.

Avoid using adult products on children. (Lots of smart moms realize this and use baby products on their own skin.) Choose child-safe products labeled baby and child-safe.

Avoid anti-bacterial cleansers and soaps, dyes and fragrances, and alcohol-containing products, which dry and irritate the skin.

In addition, when drying, blot, don’t rub, and avoid powders that the baby might inhale.

In general, fewer additives lessen the chance of using sensitizers that stimulate the skin to a later allergic reaction.

Before washing baby’s clothing, don’t forget to check your box of laundry detergent. Again, opt for a product that is free from scent, dye and preservative additives. If necessary, do a separate wash for the baby clothes with less soap and an extra rinse.

Think of washing skin as a way of nourishing, moistening and supporting it in all of the functions it does for us, not as punishing it for getting dirty. With the proper care, it will aid and protect your child for a lifetime.

Sally Robinson is a clinical professor of pediatrics at UTMB Children’s Hospital, and Keith Bly is an assistant professor of pediatrics in the UTMB Children’s Emergency Room. This column isn’t intended to replace the advice of a physician.