Skin on newborns frequently peels and becomes dry. Peeling skin in newborns is typically normal.
Most people believe that newborn babies should have smooth, flawless skin, therefore when their newborns’ skin isn’t perfect, new parents or other caregivers frequently express concern. Yet, it normally shouldn’t be a cause for alarm.
Peeling of infant skin can occasionally be caused by illnesses that need to be treated. In this post, we examine the factors that contribute to infant skin peeling and offer 10 natural cures and treatments.
In this article, we’ll consider what to put on peeling newborn skin and best lotion for newborn peeling skin.
Your baby’s skin may be peeling because a newborn’s skin is sensitive, especially shortly after birth. Skin that is flaky or peeling is typical at this stage and doesn’t need any particular care.
In essence, the outermost layer of skin sheds over the first few days and weeks after birth. Babies who were born past their due date are more likely to experience this skin peeling than other babies.
You could see skin that is peeling at any time, not only in the early infant stage. Children’s skin tends to be thinner and more fragile than adult skin, which makes it more prone to rapid moisture loss and drying out. Hence, if you see dryness, flaking, or peeling skin on your older baby or toddler at any point, don’t be alarmed.
You might also observe more often occurring dryness, flaking, or peeling if your kid has a skin condition like atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema).
Normal pregnancy side effects include newborn skin peeling.
Nine months of a baby’s life are spent in amniotic fluid. As a result, their skin does not exfoliate like the skin of adults. In contrast, a newborn’s skin could appear dry and start to flake off.
The likelihood of infant skin peeling may be influenced by the following factors:
Caseosa Vernix
Vernix caseosa, also known as vernix, forms on a baby’s skin when they are in the womb to shield them from the amniotic fluid. The American Pregnancy Association states that vernix formation starts during the 20th week of pregnancy.
This natural biofilm might also aid with the baby’s skin’s adjustment to life outside the womb if people refrain from washing the vernix off the infant right away after birth.
Full-term delivery
Depending on the baby’s gestational age at birth, the degree of skin peeling will change. Premature births or births that occur before 40 weeks are more likely to result in less skin peeling than births that occur closer to term or after 40 weeks.
Longer gestational periods result in less vernix on newborns, which means that their skin has had longer time in contact with amniotic fluid. This may cause the skin to peel more frequently.
Other factors
The most typical reason of neonatal skin peeling is contact with amniotic fluid, although there are other potential causes as well.
They may consist of:
psoriasis, ichthyosis, or various forms of eczema, such as atopic dermatitis
What To Put On Peeling Newborn Skin
You can take the following actions to safeguard your baby’s tender skin and help stop dryness and peeling:
Maintain the vernix. Vernix, a whitish waxy covering that some newborns are born with and which helps keep your baby’s skin from drying up, is sometimes present. After giving birth, experts advise leaving this on for a little time rather than wiping or rinsing it off right away to help keep the skin moist. Vernix functions as a natural humectant and may even be antimicrobial.
The first bath for your newborn should be delayed. Wait until your baby’s umbilical cord stump has come off before giving her a tub or sink bath, which normally takes a week or two after delivery. You can give her sponge baths in the meanwhile.
Reduce the number of baths you take. Because newborns don’t get as dirty, they don’t require as frequent bathing. Throughout the first year of a baby’s life, three baths a week should be sufficient.
Make baths brief. Short baths of 10 minutes or less are preferable to longer soaks that could dry up your baby’s skin.
Avoid using hot water when taking a bath. Water that is excessively hot can burn or scald your infant accidentally, irritate their delicate skin, and cause dryness and irritation. Maintain lukewarm water instead. By submerging your elbow or inner wrist in the water, you may check the water’s temperature before putting your infant in it. Find more advice on bathing a baby here.
Avoid using abrasive soaps and scented bubble baths. The delicate skin of your newborn can be irritated by the harsh chemicals and scents included in many soaps and bath products. So, it is better to stay away from any products that aren’t made specifically for babies. Use a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free gentle cleanser, light soap, or baby wash instead.
Dry your infant’s skin gently. When drying off your infant, take care not to rub her skin. Instead, gently pat her dry. Her skin may become irritated and lose its natural protective oils if she rubs.
Put on some moisturizer. Use a moisturizer formulated specifically for babies as soon as your child gets out of the bath. When her skin is still little damp, the moisturizer will absorb more readily. Between baths, you should moisturize your baby’s skin. Just spritz a little water on her skin beforehand to aid with absorption.
Make use of a gentle detergent. You should choose “free and clear” or “sensitive” laundry detergents for washing your baby’s clothes, towels, and bedding because they don’t contain fragrances, dyes, or perfumes. Avoid using fabric softener and dryer sheets since they include scents, chemicals, and oils that might irritate your baby’s skin.
Choose delicate, natural textiles. Your infant should wear cotton garments. Cotton is breathable and won’t retain sweat, in contrast to some synthetic materials, which can cause irritation and even heat rash. Ensure that any additional materials, such as those in sheets and swaddle blankets, that come into contact with your infant are either cotton or bamboo.
Before using, wash your materials and apparel. Before letting your infant use any clothing, bedding, towels, or swaddle blankets, make sure to wash them all to remove any chemicals or colors that were used during the manufacturing process. The finest laundry detergent to use is one that is safe for babies.
Your baby’s room should have more humidity. Particularly during the winter when heating causes humidity levels to decline, indoor air can be rather dry. A cool-mist humidifier might be useful in your baby’s room.
Keep the sun away from your infant. Young babies should not be exposed to either direct or indirect sunlight since it can easily burn and harm their fragile skin. When you and your infant are outside, seek out a space in the shade, such one beneath a tree or an umbrella, and make use of the canopy on your stroller. Your baby should wear light cotton clothes that covers his arms and legs, along with a hat with a wide brim.
10 methods may help to prevent or treat dry, cracked, or peeling skin.
1. Reducing exposure to cold air
Cold air is often quite dry and can cause the skin to dry out in turn. This can lead to cracks in the skin and peeling. Limiting a baby’s exposure to cold air can help to prevent this.
2. Using a humidifier
When moisture is present in the air, it helps to prevent dry, itchy skin. A humidifier will increase the amount of moisture in the room.
3. Limiting the amount of time in the bathtub
Baths can have an adverse effect on a baby’s skin. Prolonged periods in bathwater can wash away naturally occurring oils, leaving the baby more susceptible to peeling skin. A parent or caregiver should limit bath time to a maximum of 10 minutes and avoid using harsh soaps.
4. Using lukewarm water to clean the baby
Lukewarm water is ideal for washing a baby’s skin. Water that is too hot can dry out the skin. It can also be beneficial to apply moisturizer immediately after a lukewarm bath.
5. Trying an oatmeal bath
Research shows that colloidal oatmeal reduces inflammation and itching, which may prevent the baby from scratching any damaged, peeling skin and making it worse.
Oatmeal bath treatments are available in many drug stores, natural food stores, and online.
6. Moisturizing the skinShare on PinterestApply baby-sensitive moisturizer two to three times a day.
Parents and caregivers can buy moisturizers that are particularly suitable for a baby’s sensitive skin. They should choose a hypoallergenic moisturizer and apply it two to three times a day.
7. Keeping the baby hydrated
Another way to prevent peeling skin on newborns is to ensure that they do not become dehydrated. Breast milk or formula should be sufficient to hydrate babies up to 6 months in age.
8. Avoiding unnecessary chemicals
A newborn’s skin is very sensitive. If the skin comes into contact with chemicals, such as perfumes or soaps with fragrances, it can become irritated.
9. Choosing appropriate clothing
In addition to washing a baby with fragrance-free soaps, parents should clean a baby’s clothing in detergents that do not contain unnecessary fragrances. This can help to prevent secondary exposure to these chemicals.
People should also choose soft, loose-fitting clothes made of natural materials for babies as these are less likely to irritate or put pressure on the skin.
10. Keeping the baby comfortable
Part of the treatment for the newborn’s peeling skin involves keeping the baby as comfortable as possible. This may involve soothing them and helping them to find positions that avoid putting pressure on the peeling skin.
Best Lotion For Newborn Peeling Skin
Baby’s dry skin’s best lotion
Infant Healing Ointment by Aquaphor
Price: $$
Petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, and glycerin are the main constituents.
According to Garshick, a petroleum-based ointment is your best option for treating extremely dry newborn skin.
This is Aquaphor’s baby-specific version of their fragrance- and preservative-free ointment, which you may already be familiar with.
According to Garshick, it contains panthenol and glycerin to help hydrate and nourish the skin in addition to the 41% petrolatum that helps protect the skin. It can be used to treat minor cuts and scrapes as well as dry skin and to protect the skin around the diaper area.
Pros
It can be applied to your baby’s entire body.
The lotion can be used to treat diaper rash.
It’s okay for skin that is dry, chapped, or irritated.
Cons
The ointment takes some time to fully penetrate the skin.
A few reviews express concern that the goods might come broken.
Because to the lanolin, it’s not the best for newborns who have wool allergies.
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Baby’s best eczema cream
Baby Eczema Treatment Moisturizing Cream by Aveeno
Price: $ Major components: vitamin B5, glycerin, oat kernel oil, and colloidal oatmeal
Babies who have eczema typically have dry, red areas of skin on their bodies.
Fortunately, there are creams designed expressly to target and treat eczema.
This Aveeno lotion is very gentle on infant skin and contains colloidal oatmeal, which can help reduce inflammation and irritation.
Also, it contains vitamin B5, which ought to nourish and soothe irritable skin.
The cream soothes skin that is prone to eczema.
It was created by dermatologists, and the company claims it is hypoallergenic.
It is made without perfumes, phthalates, or parabens.
Cons
Parents have voiced complaints about the smell.
It takes a time for the product to penetrate into the skin, according to some reviews.
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finest organic baby lotion
Extremely Sensitive Cream for California Babies
Price: $$$
Important ingredients: calendula and aloe vera
This cream is free of typical irritants and allergens, including harsh chemicals and smell. Moreover, it is wholly plant-based, which may be a factor in its relatively high cost.
This lotion does include glycerin, a naturally occurring compound that frequently provides relief for dry, itchy skin. Scratches and scrapes can also be healed with glycerin.
Another essential component, allantoin, should aid in moisturizing and smoothing skin, according to dermatologist Papri Sarkar, MD, of Boston, Massachusetts.
Pros
It is made without abrasive substances that could irritate skin.
It has been allergy-tested and is vegan.
The business is run and owned by a family.
Cons
Compared to comparable lotions of the same size, it costs more.
The texture was inconsistent, according to several reviewers.
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optimum baby lotion for delicate skin
Hydra-Bebe Body Lotion by Mustela
Price: $$
Ingredients: sunflower oil, avocado, and jojoba
The key components of this Mustela recipe are derived from plants, including jojoba oil, sunflower oil, vitamins E and F, sweet almond oil, shea butter, avocado perseose, and glycerin.
It shouldn’t cause skin irritation or redness because it doesn’t include any potential skin irritants like parabens, phthalates, or phenoxyethanol. Instead, it should leave skin smooth and hydrated.
It is non-greasy and readily absorbed by the skin.
Since the 1950s, consumers have trusted the brand.
It is free of harsh chemicals and hypoallergenic.
Cons
It smells terrible, according to some parents.
It is thinner than some parents would like.
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The most fragrant baby lotion
Johnson’s Baby Lotion for Sleep
Price: $
Ingredients: coconut oil and glycerin
Johnson & Johnson’s Bedtime Baby Lotion is most likely the baby lotion with the most recognizable aroma.
The maker claims that thanks to an infusion of calming chamomile and lavender, that characteristic aroma is clinically proved to aid in your baby’s ability to go asleep.
Glycerin, which serves to nourish dry skin and aid in moisture retention, is one of its key constituents. This can be an excellent option to use immediately following the bath to assist ease your baby into their sleep ritual, as its name implies.
Pros
It comes from a reputable company that parents adore.
It provides a calming smell that can make it easier for newborns to sleep.
For the size of the goods, the pricing is reasonable.
Cons
Some babies may be sensitive to the aroma.
The overpowering aroma bothers some parents.
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Baby Dove Moisturizing Hypoallergenic Lotion without Fragrance
Price: $$
Ingredients: tapioca starch, glycerin, and petrolatum
Dove’s baby care products are made to be soft, secure, and fragrance-free, making them suited for newborn skin that is still developing.
The manufacturer claims that it contains natural ingredients that could aid in retaining moisture in the day and night for sensitive newborn skin. Skin that is prone to eczema should also benefit from this lotion.
It is free of harmful substances like parabens, dyes, and phthalates and has been dermatological and pediatrician tested.
It is hypoallergenic and without aroma.
Using it on skin that is sensitive should be safe.
It is free of phthalates, parabens, and dyes.
Cons
Although being fragrance-free, some parents nevertheless notice an aroma.
It’s not as thick as lotions that are similar.
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Sweet Orange Baby Lotion by Earth Mama
Price: $$
Calendula, olive fruit oil, and aloe leaf juice are the ingredients.
The editors of Healthline Parenthood are also fans of Earth Mama because of their ethically produced, all-organic foods for parents.
All of Earth Mama’s products have undergone dermatological testing, and their use of organic components has earned them NSF/ANSI 305 certification. This herbal and oil-based baby lotion with a pleasant orange aroma is a good option for individuals who enjoy a scent.
It is made entirely of organic products.
It smells faintly of orange, which many parents find to be pleasant.
For expectant and nursing mothers, it ought to be.
Cons
Less than one ounce of product is contained in a very little bottle.
It shouldn’t be applied to skin that is inflamed or red.
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SeboCalm Baby Face Cream is the best baby face cream.
Price: $$
Calendula, olive fruit oil, and aloe leaf juice are the ingredients.
If your child doesn’t already have dry, chapped cheeks and chin, they most likely will once teething gets out of control or the cold weather arrives.
This face lotion, which is designed for your baby’s delicate face and may help hydrate and heal cracked skin and irritation, can be helpful in this situation.
SeboCalm’s face cream is dermatologically tested and devoid of parabens and other harmful substances.
Parents report that it applies smoothly without becoming overly greasy or oily. You can apply it to your baby’s limbs, legs, and tummy in addition to their face.
It’s made without harsh additives, which is a pro.
It is hypoallergenic and has not undergone animal testing.
It smells bright and energizing.
Cons
Although it wasn’t exactly made for newborns, it should be safe for kids and babies.
The cost is excessive given what you receive.
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best lotion for infants
Price: $$
Sunflower, olive, coconut, and tamanu oils are among the ingredients.
Due to its transparency and use of only natural and organic products, Honest Company is a favorite among many people, especially new parents.
Although not often marked with the “baby” insignia, all of their items are created with babies in mind. This may be the authorization parents require in order to stop referring to it as just “the baby’s lotion.”
It is made with organic coconut and sunflower oils, which should hydrate your baby’s delicate skin. To aid in preserving the moisture barrier, tamanu oil is included.
Pros
Petroleum jelly, parabens, and dyes—all harsh ingredients—are not used in its formulation.
It works as a diaper rash cream and is suitable for red, irritated skin.
The entire family can use it.
Cons
It applies fairly thickly and could take some time to absorb.
It works well for skin irritation rather than as a daily lotion.
Although it has a neutral aroma, not all parents find it appealing.
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Best baby lotion on a budget
Bello Premium Baby Lotion, Hey
Aloe vera, oats, calendula, and green tea extract are the ingredients.
Actors and husband and wife team Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are the minds of Hello Bello.
This baby lotion is part of the brand’s collection of moderately cost, high-quality baby items.
Aloe vera, oat, calendula, and green tea extracts, which may help nourish, hydrate, and soothe delicate, thin infant skin, are included in the baby lotion’s formulation. Also, it is certified organic and fragrance-free.
The product is available in six scents, one of which is fragrance-free.
It is made from plants and doesn’t include any harsh chemicals.
It is approved as organic.
That is quite inexpensive.
Cons
It’s not as thick as lotions that are similar.
The perfumed variations are disliked by some parents.
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