Bathing & Skin Care

Skin Care

Many babies have normal newborn rashes including white dots over their noses and chins, and small red splotches with a raised center that comes and goes over different parts of the body throughout the day. These require no special care and will go away on their own.

 

• Heat rash is common in summer and winter and will occur over the neck, chest, upper back and in the creases. Avoid too warm a room, too heavy clothing, and treat by keeping the baby cool and dry.

   

• Infant acne normally appears on the cheeks and nose as red and white bumps--it may be present at birth, but more typically appears after three weeks of age. It will go away on its own and you should continue to just use water to clean the baby’s face.

   

• Diaper rash is very common and can best be avoided by changing the baby as soon as he/she urinates or has a bowel movement. Also, try to avoid using baby wipes in the first month of life--instead use water and a clean soft cloth (i.e. a wash cloth) to clean the diaper area. If your baby does develop a diaper rash apply a diaper cream like Desitin® or A&D ointment to help the skin heal. If the rash is getting worse or has red dots around the borders give us a call.

   

• Contact dermatitis, an irritation of the skin, is common from using harsh laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and fabric softeners. These should all be avoided.

 

Cord and Circumcision Care

The umbilical cord area may be kept clean by simply washing with a small amount of water. If there is any redness of the skin around the cord, call our office.

 

The circumcision should be cared for as instructed by the hospital.  Tylenol should only be given in the hospital newborn nursery for pain control after circumcision.  It should never be given to an infant less than two months of age once home.  Please call the office immediately if your newborn seems excessively irritable, or has any temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit rectally in the first two months of life.

 

Bathing

Sponge bathe your baby as needed with water and a mild soap until the cord has dropped off and the site is dry. Subsequently you may tub bathe the baby. Babies do not need to be bathed every day. Two to three times a week is usually enough.

 

Birthmarks

These are extremely common. The faint red blotches on the eyelids, between the eyes, just under the nose, and on the back of the neck are termed "stork bites", and slowly fade away. No treatment is required.