There’s little wonder that everyone wants to cuddle a newborn.They smell so delicious and have the softest skin. But a new baby’s skin is also very fragile so it’s important to find a good moisturiser to care for your baby’s skin.

Baby’s skin is really thin and sensitive at birth. It is also less resistant to bacteria and can easily be irritated. Adults usually apply moisturiser to their skin at least once a day, so it’s just as important to keep your baby’s skin moisturised and supple. Skin has a natural barrier that helps our body retain moisture and protects our skin from bacteria. Applying moisturiser to your baby’s skin will ensure their skin barrier is kept in good condition, which can in turn help prevent skin issues.

What Causes Dry Skin In Babies?

There are a number of factors that can cause your baby’s skin to become dry and even flaky.
Using Harsh Products
Your baby’s skin is super sensitive so it’s important to avoid products that haven’t been specifically developed for baby’s skin. Avoid using products that contain soap, as soap removes the skin’s natural oils and makes it harder for your child’s skin to keep moisture in.
Weather
Hot or cold weather with low humidity might make your baby’s skin more dry
Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that causes skin to become red, dry and itchy. Having eczema means your skin is lacking the body oils and moisturisers that usually keep the skin supple and intact. If your child does have eczema, it’s crucial to use products that have been developed for eczema prone skin.

Does My Baby Have Dry Skin?

You’ll know if your baby has dry skin, if there are rough, flaky patches on their skin. This often appears on their faces, arms and legs, with elbows and knees being the most common problem areas. If the dry skin gets worse, cracks may form, which can become really painful and even infected if left untreated. If your child’s skin is itchy and red, this is most likely eczema.

Bath-Time Moisturiser

It’s best to bath your bub in warm water and avoid using bubble-bath and products that contain soap or fragrance. Our pick of the best baby bath-time care is AVEENO® Baby Dermexa Wash, which combines natural colloidal oatmeal and oat extract plus ceramides, working to gently cleanse without drying your baby’s delicate skin. This ultra-gentle wash soothes dry, itchy skin, and is clinically proven suitable for eczema-prone skin.

When To Apply Moisturiser

The best time to apply moisturiser is after the bath. Dry off your baby and then apply a thick layer of non-fragranced moisturiser, which has been specially formulated for infants, all over their body. Eczema runs in our family, so I always use a moisturiser that has been developed for eczema-prone skin. My favourite is AVEENO® Baby Dermexa Moisturising Cream as the advanced formulation helps to reduce the appearance of redness and scaling, helping to restore the skin moisture barrier and put dry, uncomfortable skin at ease. This moisturiser helps relieve and soothes dry, itchy skin and is fragrance free, cortisone free and contains no lanolins or dyes. When my baby’s skin is dry, I tend to apply moisturiser a number of times a day until the dryness improves.

How To Apply Moisturiser

The best way to apply moisturiser on your bub’s skin is to smooth it downward on the skin, from the face all the way down to the feet (take care to avoid baby’s eyes). Keep in mind that it might take a few minutes for the moisturiser to completely absorb. If your doctor has prescribed steroid creams or ointments, these should be applied first, followed by the moisturiser. It’s really so important to keep your baby’s skin nourished, hydrated and moisturised. Make applying moisturiser a regular part of your daily routine as this provides an important protective barrier between skin and the environment.

The AVEENO® Baby Range is available at pharmacies such as Chemist Warehouse as well as Grocery stores such as Coles and Woolworths.

Does your child tend to have dry skin? What do you do to help relieve your baby’s dry skin? Tell us in the comments below.

The team at Mouths of Mums is working with AVEENO® to bring you this article. For more than 70 years, AVEENO®  has pioneered innovation and leveraged science to deliver real skincare benefits. AVEENO®  believes that skincare can play a bigger role in helping children living life to the fullest. AVEENO®  products help to protect, nourish and give lasting comfort to baby’s sensitive skin, so they can happily experience the world around them. The AVEENO® portfolio offers solutions for every type of baby skin, even the most compromised one, and the Dermexa range is suitable for eczema prone skin.