The Ultimate Newborn Skin Care Guide

• Newborn skin care can be difficult because babies can’t risk exposure to many ingredients.
• You should consider how frequently you wash your baby, what types of lotion you use, and what fabrics they wear in their skin care routine.
• Follow this guide for advice that ranges from bath time and diaper sizing to ingredient recommendations.

As you welcome your new bundle of joy, it’s time to learn about all the things you might not have considered when stocking up for your baby’s care: a newborn skin care routine! When babies are born, they have minimal defenses against the outside world, meaning they usually have pretty sensitive skin. But, with the right baby skin care routine, you can ensure they’re clean, comfortable, and safe.

Are you wondering what you need to do to ensure a comprehensive understanding of baby’s sensitive skin care needs? Follow along with Bam & Stitch as we review skincare products, tips, and resources to help your family thrive!

Common Newborn Skin Care Concerns

There are a few newborn skin care conditions you can definitely expect to see in the first few months after your baby is born. Although babies are born with a built-in moisturizer, it only provides protection for a few hours after birth. Once they no longer have this natural moisture source, they might experience one of these common concerns:

• Peeling Skin: Baby’s skin may become dry and flaky as they work toward building up their own moisture barrier. Flaking skin can also be caused by dry weather, cold, or frequent bathing.
• Cradle Cap: Does it look like your baby has a bad case of dandruff? This is actually called seborrheic dermatitis and occurs where your baby has dry patches of skin. You can use baby oil to soften these patches.
• Baby Acne: A few weeks after birth, you may notice acne on the back, cheeks, or forehead. This is called neonatal acne and usually disappears within a month of birth. A baby skin care routine can reduce acne until it goes away naturally.
• Diaper Rash: Changes to your baby’s diet, infrequent diaper changes, infections, and other factors can all cause irritation. Add a diaper rash cream to your changing routine to ensure you meet your baby’s sensitive skin care needs.
• Heat Rash: One of the most common newborn skin conditions, heat rash can be caused by tightly fitting clothing that causes your baby to feel too warm. Dress them in layers that are easy to remove and breathable fabrics, like bamboo convertible romper onesies.

The Basic Newborn Skin Care Routine

Let’s dive into the basic baby skin care routine that will ensure your baby’s health and comfort.

 1- Bath Time

Giving your baby a bath means bonding time, but it also provides the perfect newborn skin care opportunity. For the first few weeks, try gentle sponge baths without any soaps. After that point, you can schedule up to three baths per week with gentle cleansers and lukewarm water. Avoid formulas that feature deodorant, perfumes, or antibacterial ingredients. Here are some of our top tips for bath time:

• Fill the tub with just three inches of lukewarm water
• Use a soft cloth to cleanse every fold and between fingers and toes
• Avoid long baths, as soaking can dry out your baby’s skin
• Immediately wrap up in a towel or stretchy swaddle blanket to conserve warmth

Moisture Is Critical!

We’ve already talked about how dry, peeling, and flaking skin are very common newborn concerns, so you’re probably wondering when you can start using lotion to help. Pediatricians say you should wait at least a few weeks after birth to allow your baby’s skin to mature before adding any lotion to your newborn’s skin care. After the first month, you can use a daily baby lotion or baby oil all over, as well as balm sticks on particularly dry patches. Massage the moisturizers to help them absorb fully before dressing your little one in soft bamboo baby clothes.

Diaper Changes

With so many diaper changes in the newborn stage, keeping baby’s sensitive skin care robust can help you avoid diaper rashes and discomfort. Most importantly, change your baby’s diaper as soon as you see that it’s wet. You may go through 10-12 diapers per day to prevent rashes. Diaper changes are frequent, so find clothing that allows for easy access, like our convertible romper bamboo onesies with dual zippers. You should also use fragrance-free, chemical-free, and water-based wipes as a cleanser for this portion of your baby's skin care routine. Some other important tips include:

• Size up diapers and clothing if you notice chafing around leg creases and backsides.
• Dab a little balm or powder in rolls and folds to help better absorb excess moisture.
• Wait about a minute to let everything dry before putting on a new diaper.

Newborn Skin Care Outside

Taking your baby outside means adding to your newborn's skin care routine. Take a look at these tips for baby sensitive skin care to keep your little one safe.

 1- Sun

Since babies can’t wear sunscreen for at least six months after birth, you’ll need to protect them with hats, stroller shades, and long-sleeve bamboo pajama sets that keep them covered. Did you know bamboo pajamas offer natural SPF protection? After six months, you can start applying a zinc-based sunscreen with 50 SPF to mitigate damage from UV rays while preventing irritation from harsh chemicals.

 2- Cold

The cold can be really tough on newborn skin, so you need to cover all their most sensitive areas. Consider infant hats for ear and head protection, as well as little mittens to keep their hands safe. You’ll also want extra layers, like bamboo blankets, that can help regulate their temperature while preventing the cold from drying them out.

Pack The Essentials

Keeping your diaper bag stocked with travel-ready balms and powders in advance means easier diaper changes anywhere you are. Here are our hacks for a stress-free day out:

• Portable changing pad
• Nourishing balm stick for cheeks and hands
• Travel-sized mineral SPF
• Diaper cream
• Baby wipes

Newborn Skin Care Products

The best products for newborn skin care can be hard to figure out. Take a look at this ingredient guide to help you decide on the ideal options for you.

• Safe & Nourishing: Squalane, Sterols, Ceramide NP, Colloidal Oatmeal, Bisabolol, Zinc Oxide
• Irritating Ingredients: Sulfates, Phthalates, Parabens, Mineral Oil, PEG, Talc, Oxybenzone, Synthetic Fragrance, Retinyl Palmitate
• Stamps & Certifications: EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny Certified, National Eczema Association Accepted, Hypoallergenic, Vegan, Pediatrician-Approved

What Else Can You Do?

With this newborn skin care guide, you’re better prepared to protect your baby, but what else can you do? We recommend exploring bamboo fabrics for baby blankets and clothing, as they’re hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and antibacterial. Shop skin-friendly bamboo PJ sets to supplement your routine today!