How to Care for Baby Skin

In the moments after birth, newborns are often red, bluish, or even grayish and bruised from their rocky trip down the birth canal. They're wrinkled, perhaps hairy (the fine covering is called lanugo), and even a little slimy (the vernix coating kept baby's skin from coming in contact with the amniotic fluid). Newborn skin is so thin you may be able to see veins underneath.

Over the next week, the lanugo falls out and the vernix rubs off or is absorbed by the skin. Your newborn's skin may peel, crack, or get flaky while it adjusts to the out-of-womb world. Using baby lotion on a child this young is safe as long as it's fragrance-free, to prevent irritation. But products aren't really necessary to clear up these early skin problems -- they'll fade on their own.

During the first month, you can expect a few breakouts on baby's face. These little white bumps, called milia, are caused by his immature oil glands. Leave them alone except for washing with water (no squeezing or soap) and they'll disappear. Infant acne is also common. Hormones are to blame, but not baby's -- Mom's! Residual maternal hormones circulating through a newborn's system can cause whiteheads and other infant oddities, such as the appearance of swollen breasts in both boys and girls. It should all be history in about six weeks.

Heat rash, or prickly heat, is a bumpy red rash that appears on baby's skin if he's overheated. An overdressed baby might get a heat rash on his chest, back, neck, or armpits. Loose cotton clothing will help, and unlike eczema, heat rash calls for more frequent baths.

Crusty, oily, scaly patches on baby's head or face are called cradle cap. About half of all babies get it in their first few months. The condition, caused by overactive oil glands under the hair and skin, doesn't itch, but it doesn't look pretty, either. The solution is to wash baby's head with mild baby shampoo every few days. You can also rub in a little baby oil, then brush or wash it off. Go easy on baby's soft spot, but rest assured that his little head can handle gentle cleaning.

Diaper rash is caused by wetness combined with irritation, so a wet diaper rubbing against baby's delicate skin can trigger a flare-up. The only way to prevent it is to check baby's diaper frequently and change dirty diapers immediately. If baby has red, swollen bumps or a flat, red rash anywhere that's normally covered by a diaper, start washing the area with warm water and a cloth. (Sitting baby in a tub of water works, too.) Gently dry the area and apply a diaper-rash ointment or petroleum jelly to seal moisture away from the skin. If diaper rash progresses to a yeast rash, with both raised bumps and a flat red mark, your pediatrician may treat it with antifungal

Mongolian spots are common in babies with Asian, African, Mediterranean, or Indian heritage. The bruise-colored marks appear most often on baby's bottom or back and usually fade by his first birthday. Strawberry marks appear on about 2 percent of babies. Sometimes the soft, raised marks don't turn red until an infant is a month old. Though they can grow bigger, take heart: Strawberry marks almost always disappear before a child reaches age 10.

The red rash of eczema, sometimes coupled with little oozing bumps, makes baby feel very itchy. Eczema can be caused by contact with anything irritating, from baby's own saliva when she drools to scratchy fabric (or a new detergent). It can also be triggered when baby ingests an allergen, such as cow's milk. Some babies are just prone to it, possibly due to genetics. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 10 to 20 percent of all babies have a bout with eczema before their first birthday.

It's typically on a baby's face but can appear just about anywhere. In young infants, it's often found in the crooks of the arms, on the backs of the legs and knees, or anywhere else baby has those adorable wrinkles. Visit your pediatrician if you suspect baby has eczema; topical steroid treatments are the usual prescription. If your baby seems prone to eczema, limit baths to a few times a week and use water only -- no soap -- to keep from drying her skin. After baths, apply a baby moisturizer.

Reviewed 11/00 by Jane Forester, MD

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.