The market is awash with products touted for use on babies and sensitive skin. But are the products right for your new baby?
Bathing a newborn can be a challenging but rewarding experience at the same time. The first bath often happens 24 hours after delivery in the hospital. Newborns do not need bathing daily because they are rarely dirty or soiled (except for those occasional blow-outs). Pediatricians recommend that newborns be bathed a few times a week with lukewarm water in an infant tub with close supervision. Gentle and mild soaps are recommended. But what’s the definition of gentle and mild soaps?
Eczema in infants
As a pediatric dermatologist, the most common skin condition I see in infants is eczema. While this condition is not preventable, there are various strategies we can use in daily practice to help prevent further worsening of the skin condition such as the thorough and careful selection of personal care products during and immediately after bathing.
Many products on the shelves are labeled “for babies” or “hypoallergenic,” but there are often little to no specific requirements for such a designation. Some products contain ingredients that are known to be irritants for your baby’s eyes and skin, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, and many contain known potential allergens such as fragrances. While most ingredients are probably fine for most kids, newborns with eczema or with relatives who have eczema may be more susceptible to developing irritation or allergies to these ingredients. Some products tout their natural botanical extracts. However, while some have purported calming properties, others may instead elicit allergic reactions and cause irritation.
Recommended baby bathing practices
Water temperature is another important consideration. Tepid to lukewarm water is recommended to prevent burns on gentle skin but also to prevent drying out the skin, which warm/hot water tends to do. Longer baths also dry out the skin more, so short baths are recommended.
Gentle, fragrance-free soaps with a neutral to slightly acidic pH are recommended. Examples include Dove Baby Sensitive Sensitive Skin Care, Babyganics Baby Shampoo and Body Wash (fragrance-free), Mustela Stelatopia Cleansing Gel, Cerave Baby Wash and Shampoo, and Aveeno Baby Healthy Start Nourishing Baby Wash. The National Eczema Association has a Seal of Acceptance program where products meeting their stringent requirements are awarded a seal on their products. This is another good way to help distinguish products that are more likely to be gentle and hypoallergenic. However, not all products work for every baby since everyone has unique skin.
After bathing, the most important thing to do is to moisturize the baby from head to toe. Bathing and using soap dries out the skin, so it’s important to reinforce the skin barrier with a thick and bland emollient. Excellent fragrance-free choices include Vaseline, Cerave, Vanicream, and Hydrolatum. Thick ointments are better moisturizers than thinner creams or lotions given their occlusive, hydrophobic properties.
Bathing newborns does not need to be stressful. Selecting gentle products and consistently moisturizing after a bath can prevent newborn skin irritation and ensure a healthy start!
