The top 5 things you need to know about your baby's skin
Lise Bosch
Lise Bosch
Stepping into parenthood for the first time (and bear with us here) is kind of like taking the red pill in the Matrix.
All throughout pregnancy, you’d been daydreaming of big-cheeked giggles, a tiny protégé, and cushiony soft baby skin. Whilst actually meeting your baby unlocks a new experience of love you’ve never imagined, there are some less than glamorous realisations too.
One of them being that your baby’s skin is way more complicated than you thought. If you’re wondering why that is, and what baby skin care even looks like, that’s why we’re here. Read on for our five top things to know about baby skin.
5 things to know about your baby's skin
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1. Baby skin is super thin
No matter how adorably chunky your baby’s rolls are, the upper layer of their skin (known as the epidermis) is much thinner than an adult’s. This can make it more susceptible to the germs, irritants, and nasties floating around us, leading to delicate skin.
That can mean implications like their skin being:
- Less able to hold onto moisture: Whilst newborn skin absorbs water easily, it loses that moisture just as fast, which can increase dryness and flakiness.
- More vulnerable to skin irritation: It’s easier for bacteria and allergens to seep into the skin, so your baby might experience more rashes or irritated skin.
- Susceptible to sun damage: Those strong Aussie UV rays can reach their thin skin a lot easier, so you’ll want to minimise time spent in the sun and go all in on sun protection with clothes and a protective hat.
You can see why your little one’s skin is much more delicate than yours, so it needs extra gentle care.
2. It’ll probably change colour
Somewhere amid the new parent glow, you might catch yourself seeing your newborn’s skin and thinking, “Huh, you’re a bit more…red than I imagined.”
The good news is, the reddish-purple tint will gradually fade away. As your baby starts breathing and getting their circulation system into shape, this colour will soften to a dusky tone. In the same way, you might notice that their hands and feet will appear almost blue at first – but this will pass too.
A vague yellow tinge to your baby’s eyes or skin can be a sign of mild jaundice, which happens to six out of 10 newborn babies. It’s caused by the build-up of a certain chemical that the liver typically processes. A newborn’s liver takes a few days to work the chemical through, but it should get back to speed within a few days.
Within a week, their skin will settle and find its normal colouring. If you are worried about persistent colour changes or unusual rashes, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
3. Nappy care plays a big role
From the make of their material to leak protection and the likelihood of friction, nappies can be a significant factor in the comfort of your baby’s delicate skin.
That’s where nappy care helps protect against irritation and keep bub’s skin healthy and dry. Changing your baby’s nappy frequently and using a barrier cream helps to keep the skin dry and avoid inflammation.
Even better, choose a nappy that also helps protect your baby’s skin.
Your baby will spend their days and nights in their nappy, so it should be both comfortable and effective at absorbing the moisture. Not all nappies are created the same and a very ‘wet’ night will teach you that!
The HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies have a clinically proven* layer of skin protection enriched with zinc oxide, an ingredient often found in nappy rash creams. This layer helps fend off irritants from wee and poo that might inflame or lead to chafing.
Its soft outer cover and stretchy waistband keep skin comfy and cared for, whilst Breathe Dry® technology supports air circulation around your baby’s skin. All with a Drytouch® layer that speedily absorbs those runnier messes, and up to 12 hours of leakage protection that makes sure they get a good (and clean) night’s sleep.
Your baby’s nappy is pressed against them at all times, making an undeniable difference to their skin health. With Huggies, there’s an opportunity to help protect their skin every minute they wear it.
4. Your newborn might be a bit flaky
In the first few weeks of your baby’s time earthside, they’ll probably experience dry and peeling skin. This is a natural part of their transition from the womb to the world.
Newborns are born covered in a thick coating called “vernix”, which protects their skin in the womb. So once they arrive in your arms, that layer starts to peel off. There’s nothing painful or uncomfy about it for your kid, and it’ll pass within a few days to weeks
Focus on hydrating them from the inside, dodging the sun’s rays, avoiding soaps or lotions, choosing soft clothing, and keeping them in a warm room so their newborn skin doesn’t dry out.
Another common occurrence for newborns is cradle cap, which is when waxy scales or flaky skin appears on your baby’s scalp. Newborn skin care like a light moisturising cream can help soften the skin on your baby’s head and alleviate the dry skin that cradle cap creates.
5. There’s no need to wash their skin daily
Surprisingly, newborn skin doesn’t need to be washed all that often. For the most part, bathing them 2-3 times a week will do the trick, even if it’s just a sponge bath.
But if your baby gets particularly zenned out by warm water, or you just like the special sponge bath bonding time (we get it, those moments are precious), there’s no reason you can’t gently bathe them more often.
Just be mindful that baths can sometimes dry out sensitive skin, so you want to stick to using a very small amount of a soap and fragrance-free cleanser.
Otherwise, in the stretches between baths, you can baby wipes that are gentle on the skin. The Huggies® Thick Baby Wipes 99% Purified Water is hypoallergenic, pH balanced, and dermatologically tested to clean your little one’s skin. Made with 70% wood pulp fibres for natural comfort, these wipes are a simple solution to quick clean-ups for in-between moments.
Wrapping it up
As your child grows up through new chapters and milestones, their skin will undergo some changes too. That’s a normal part of adjusting to the world around them, and it can take up to six months before they develop their true skin tone. By caring for newborn skin with gentle ingredients and leaning into skin-loving products, even down to their nappies and wipes, you can support your baby’s comfort in this period.
Some extra information….
1. How can I differentiate between normal changes in my baby’s skin colour and signs of a potential issue or illness?
Your baby’s skin colour should settle from its initial redness within the first few days or weeks after birth, just like any blue tones around their hands and feet will fade too. If you notice these colours are getting much stronger, persistent, or spreading, such as your baby’s nails or lips turning blue, it’s worth checking in with your doctor. The same goes for any unusual rashes popping up.
As we mentioned, mild jaundice is very common in newborns and typically passes within a week, so a yellow tinge to their skin shouldn’t be cause for alarm. Even so, raise it with your doctor in case to monitor and rule out more severe issues.
2. Are there specific ingredients I should look for or avoid in nappy creams or skin care products for my baby?
When selecting nappy creams or baby skin care products for your baby, it’s essential to look for gentle, hypoallergenic formulas specifically designed for infants’ delicate skin. Ingredients like zinc oxide, found in nappy creams and the HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies, can help protect against moisture and irritants. Avoid products containing harsh chemicals, fragrances, or dyes, as these can potentially irritate your baby’s skin.
Consulting with a paediatrician or dermatologist can help you choose products tailored to your baby’s individual needs and any specific skin concerns they may have.
3. What are some signs that my baby’s skin might be experiencing irritation or discomfort?
Signs that your baby’s skin might be experiencing irritation or discomfort include redness, rashes, dryness, peeling, or excessive fussiness during nappy changes or bathing. Seek advice from a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Sources:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/jaundice-in-babies
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5574071/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4593874/
:https://thewomens.r.worldssl.net/images/uploads/fact-sheets/Skin-care-for-your-baby-220317.pdf
*This claim is based on a clinical study conducted at an independent laboratory, using adult skin as a suitable substitute for baby skin. Results showed significantly less irritation when using liner with Huggies® Zinc Enriched layer vs control.
This is a paid partnership between Kiindred and Huggies.
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Lise Bosch
Follow +Lise is a South African-born and Aussie-raised creative working as Kiindred's in-house writer and editor. With a journalism degree and experience in the beauty industry, she has a passion for family and lifestyle content. On her days off, she’s finding the latest and greatest brunch spots and trying to work through the longest TBR list known to humankind. It’s a work in...