Newborn skincare

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At birth, the topmost layer of your baby’s skin is thin and delicate. It is sensitive to damage.
During the first month of life, the baby’s skin matures and hardens. It develops an effective protective barrier.
The maintenance of this skin barrier is very important.
The following is a guide to protecting your baby’s skin. It looks at skin-to-skin contact, umbilical cord care and bathing your baby.

Skin-to-skin contact involves placing the baby chest down on your bare chest and covering the baby with blankets to keep it dry and warm.
The most important skin-to-skin contact contact would occur immediately after the birth of your baby. The Midwife or Physician would ensure the baby is healthy and then help you to position your baby.

There are many benefits to skin-to-skin contact. These include:

The establishment of successful breastfeeding. Newborn babies find their mothers breast partly by smell. This process is interrupted by clothes, blankets and separation.
The stabilization of the baby’s heart rate, breathing and temperature.
The passing of healthy bacteria from the mother to the newborn. This process encourages the baby’s umbilical cord to heal.
Babies demonstrated less distressed behavior. They are 12 times less likely to cry.
Mothers have reported higher levels of satisfaction with motherhood. The contact between yourself and your baby will help with the bonding process.
Mothers reported less anxiety 3 days after birth.
Mothers reported reduced breast engorgement and discomfort 3 days after birth.
There is less risk of heavy bleeding following the birth of your baby.

It is important to wash your hands before and after you perform any care for your baby.
Keep the cord area dry and clean.
Wash the cord with water and cotton wool. There is no evidence to support the use of antiseptic wipes, powders or creams on the cord area.
It is important to fold the diaper away from the cord, to allow the air to help dry the cord.
Each baby is different and the time for the cord to fully dry and separate may take between 5-15 days.
The use of antiseptic type wipes to clean your baby’s cord has been associated with an increased length of time for the cord to fully separate.
Should the cord or surrounding area become red or begin to smell, it is important to notify a member of staff.
In the first few days following birth, it is advisable not to bathe your baby completely in water as it can delay the cord from separating.
Once the cord has fully separated, your baby can be bathed 2-3 times a week.

Your baby’s first bath should preferably be in plain water. The use of shampoos or soaps should be avoided. This will help to protect your baby’s sensitive skin.
It is advisable to use cotton wool to wash your baby. A baby comb can be used to gently brush through and clean your baby’s head.
The use of cotton buds in the ears and nose should be avoided.
Vernix (Sticky white substance found on the baby’s skin) should be left to absorb naturally into the baby’s skin. It is a natural moisturizer and also protects against infection.
Babies that are born after 38 weeks of pregnancy have less vernix found coated on their skin. For this reason, their skin can often be dry.
Dry skin should not be treated with any creams or lotions. Over a period of a few days, the top layer of skin will peel off, leaving perfect skin underneath.
The use of water only baths (No product use) should continue for the first month after birth.

Baby wipes should be avoided for the first month after the birth of your baby. Once introduced, try to use wipes that are alcohol and fragrance-free.
It is preferable to use a shampoo that is Sulfate-free (SLS and SLES-free).
Should your baby develop a nappy rash, a thin layer of barrier cream can be used. It is recommended that the cream is free from preservatives, colors, perfumes and antiseptics.
If you wish to use a moisturizer after the first month of birth, choose an emollient-based product. These will not dry out the skin but give added protection.
It is advisable to avoid nut-based oils, petroleum-based oils or any perfume-based oils, particularly if there is a history of allergy in your family to any of the above substances.
Do not use any products on areas of broken skin.
When washing your baby’s clothes, do not overload the washing machine. This will not allow a complete rinse of the washing powder. If you use fabric conditioners, choose a mild, color and fragrance-free product.
You may receive free samples of shampoo/soap products while in the hospital. It is still recommended to follow the advice listed on this information leaflet until your baby is at least a month old.