Can You Put Lotion On Newborns And Safety Measures To Take

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Many new parents wonder if it is safe to use lotions on newborns. However, gentle cleaning and moisturizing help prevent germs, dryness, and rashes from affecting the baby’s gentle skin.

Baby lotions help keep their skin soft and healthy, especially during dry seasons (1).However, ensure that the moisturizer does not irritate their skin or make it too moist or sweaty.

Read this post to learn about the indications, safety measures, and tips to keep in mind while choosing the right moisturizer for your baby.

In This Article

Do Newborns Need Lotion?

Newborns may not need lotion as their skin remains moist until the vernix leaves

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Baby’s have a protective layer on their skin when in the mother’s womb. This layer is calledvernix caseosa, and it protects the baby’s skin from drying up too much.Post-birth, the vernix begins to shed, which gives a flaky appearance to the baby’s skin.This process is quite normal. However, newborns might not need lotion or baby oil as their skin remains moist until the vernix leaves the skin (2).

Did you know?

Lotions contain fewer oils and more water, and are lighter than other moisturizers such as ointments or creams. They are suitable for not-so-dry skin and in warmer weather conditions (8).

Related:Top 10 Baby Massage Oils: Know What's Best For Your Baby?

When To Use Lotion On A Newborn?

Apply lotion after bath to reduce dry and flaky skin in babies

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The tender skin of your newborn requires attention as their routine feedings. To protect the baby’s skin from drying and maintaining a soft texture, you should apply a gentle product to moisturize the skin. Therefore, it is important to know when to use lotion and moderation to suit the baby’s sensitive skin.

Here’s when you should apply lotion on a newborn (3）：

Apply lotion all over the body immediately after bath.This helps reduce the chances of the baby’s skin becoming dry and flaky.Also, use mild baby soap for bathing as it reduces the risk ofexcessive dryness.

Use lotion on areas that look dry. It helps heal the skin and keep it moist. If you think that your baby’s skin is drier than usual, you should apply lotion two to four times a day.

Quick tip

Dress your little one in cotton-based clothing right after applying lotion. This can help protect the skin, prevent the lotion from being rubbed off and help seal in moisture (8).

Related:7 Effective And Useful Tips To Keep Your Baby's Skin Healthy

What Are The Safety Measures To Follow While Applying Lotion?

Avoid direct contact with the lotion by using a flip-top lotion tube

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Here are some safety measures you should follow when applying lotion to your baby’s skin (3）：

Make sure there is no contact with the eyes.Babies tend to put theirhands in their mouthand eyes, and if you have applied a generous coat of cream, it may cause a reaction.

Apply lotion immediately after a bath to prevent dry, irritable skin.

Don’t use a moisturizer that contains food and plant products as they may disrupt the skin and cause irritation and allergic reactions.

Don’t dip your finger or a spoon to take out the cream from the bottle of lotion. This will contaminate the cream.

Use flip-top or twist-up lotion tubes. Here, direct contact from the tube to the baby’s skin will lower the risk of contamination.

Use a lotion for your baby’s skin more frequently and consult your doctor if there ispersistent dryness.

Related:What Causes Newborn Skin Peeling And What's The Treatment?

How To Choose The Right Lotion For Your Newborn?

Talk to the doctor and choose safe products for your baby

Image: IStock

Some tips you can follow in choosing safe baby products, such as lotion, include (4）：

Professional help:Talk to your baby’s pediatrician and choose among the products they suggest to ensure the product is safe for the baby.

Read instructions:Read the instructions and ingredients on the product. Try to avoid anything that has many chemicals and toxins as it could lead to irritated skin.

Be well informed:Try to find information from other reputable sources regarding the lotion. You can check online or take direct advice from skin specialists.

Go foramild lotion:Pick a specially designed lotion for babies as it will be mild. A strong cosmetic is not recommended for babies as it may contain high levels of chemicals.

Avoid fancy lotions:To ensure your baby’s skin stays soft and healthy, use an unscented baby moisturizer. Avoid using lotions with a strong odor as they can causeskin irritation.

检查材料:Consider a hypoallergenic lotion. Some babies could be allergic to creams and other products, so before applying anything on their skin, ensure you have read about its ingredients.

Related:是什么导致皮肤标记在婴儿和如何治疗Them?

When To Consult A Doctor?

Dry skin is not an unusual condition, and regular moisturizing could keep it healthy. But if your baby’s skin turns red accompanied by flakiness and itchiness, it could be a sign of eczema, for which you should visit your baby’s pediatrician or dermatologist . The dermatologist will prescribe you medication and suggest the right home remedies for baby skincare (5).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. At what age can I apply lotion on my newborn?

You can use moisturizing lotions and creams once your baby is around 4 weeks old. However, you may need to wait for 6 weeks if you have a preemie(6).

2. Should I apply lotion to my newborn every day?

You may not need to apply lotion to your newborn’s skin unless it is dry. So whether or not to moisturize your baby’s skin with lotion daily depends on the condition of the skin(7).

3. How often should I bathe my newborn?

After the baby’s first few weeks of life, two to three weekly baths are sufficient (1).

4. Can you put lotion on a 3-day old baby?

Unless your pediatrician advises otherwise, it’s acceptable to apply a moisturizing lotion formulated for babies on your newborn. But lotions are really not necessary until the baby’s skin is dry (1).

虽然新生儿可能不需要乳液,可以used occasionally to keep your baby’s skin healthy, rash-free, and moisturized. However, ensure you follow the safety tips while applying lotion on newborns. Carefully read the label before using lotion on your baby and stop using it immediately if you notice any adverse reactions. Since a newborn’s skin is highly sensitive, you must use baby lotions approved by doctors. You can consult your pediatrician in case of any doubt and if your baby shows signs of concern after the application of the lotion.

Infographic: Reading Product Labels Of Baby Lotions

A product may be labeled as safe or natural, but you should read the ingredient chart carefully to identify potentially harmful ingredients. But, how will you understand what’s harmful and what’s not? The infographic below enlists the ingredients you would need to look out for in baby lotions.

ingredients to look out for in baby lotions (infographic)

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic

Key Pointers

To prevent baby skin from drying, a gentle moisturizer can be used immediately after bathing.
Use flip-flop or twist-up lotion bottles that prevent contamination since the lotion comes into direct contact with the baby’s skin.
Consult your pediatrician to choose the right product that suits your little one’s skin.

References:

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