| Find the answers to the frequently asked skincare questions by clicking
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I’ve heard that it’s best to bathe my baby in water only. Is this correct?
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When my baby was bathed in hospital, I was not asked whether I wanted to use bubbles. Is this normal practice?
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Is it true that vernix (this is the sticky white substance that covers your baby’s skin in the womb) should be left to absorb naturally?
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My baby was overdue and his skin was dry and cracked.
What should I do to protect it?
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What is the safest way to care for my newborn baby’s skin?
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How should I care for my baby's cord and why has the cord clamp not been removed?
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I have heard that skin-to-skin contact is good for my baby and that baby massage is also beneficial. Can you tell me more about this?
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I received lots of free samples in the maternity hospital. Does this mean they are safe to use on my newborn baby?
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Are there any ranges of baby products that you would recommend?
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| Sun protection for babies and children |
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- Keep baby out of the sun when under a year old
- Use sun protection creams that are specifically designed for babies and children
- Use hats and t-shirts and UV pods while at the beach to avoid over-exposure.
- Use waterproof sun-block if in the water and limit exposure to sea water or swimming pools for more than a few minutes at a time as it will dry out the skin
- Use emollient based moisurisers as an after-sun treatment to protect skin as this will give the natural barrier some protection
- Keep towels soft by using fabric conditioners that are free from colours and strong perfumes as this will avoid them feeling rough and itchy.
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My baby is 6 months old. What is the safest way to provide sun protection for him?
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What clothes do you recommend after my baby is one year old?
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When choosing sun protection creams what should I look out for?
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What is the best product to use on my child’s skin following exposure to the sun?
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How can I keep my towels from becoming hard and itchy?
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How can I help to keep my baby cool in the summer months?
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Swaddling babies appears to be fashionable again now – what are the benefits of swaddling and are there any potential drawbacks? How can parents prevent their swaddled babies from overheating?
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| General tips for laundry and dry skin |
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I have heard that skin-to-skin contact is good for my baby and that baby massage is also beneficial. Can you tell me more about this?
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There is a family history of allergies in my family. What oils should I avoid?
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My baby is already showing signs of eczema, what do you suggest?
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I received lots of free samples in the maternity hospital. Does this mean they are safe to use on my newborn baby?
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Where can I get more information on this subject?
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Are there any ranges of baby products that you would recommend?
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Should I wash all my baby clothes before their first wear?
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When buying clothes and bedding for my baby what fabrics should I be looking for?
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| I’ve heard that it’s best to bathe my baby in water only. Is this correct? |
Recent research suggests that it is safer to bath your baby in plain water for at least the first month of life.
At birth, the top layer of your baby’s skin is very thin and absorbent. This means it is more sensitive to damage from germs, chemicals and water loss. Over the first month (longer in premature infants) your baby’s skin matures and develops its own natural protective barrier. The maintenance of this barrier is vital and damage can lead to the development of skin conditions.
It is important to remember that anything placed on, in or around your baby has the potential to harm.
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When my baby was bathed in hospital, I was not asked whether I wanted to use bubbles.
Is this normal practice? |
Research into this subject is relatively new and many maternity units still use baby bath products. If you would rather not have these used on your baby the Midwife will be happy to omit them. You could mention this on your Birth Plan, so that your wishes are made clear. The latest Postnatal Care Guidelines, published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) now recommend no cleansers or wipes on newborn skin so hopefully policies will be updated accordingly.
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| Is it true that vernix (this is the sticky white substance that covers your baby’s skin in the womb) should be left to absorb naturally? |
Yes. This is nature's own moisturiser. The vernix protects the baby's skin while in the womb. It is more common in premature babies and is usually only seen in term infants under the arms and in the creases. If left, it will gradually absorb and soften the skin, avoiding the need for products and reducing water loss.
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| My baby was overdue and his skin was dry and cracked. What should I do to protect it? |
If your baby is overdue, their skin may well be dry and cracked. This is to be expected, as the protective vernix has all been absorbed. Don’t be tempted to use any creams or lotions as this may do more harm than good. The top layer of your baby’s skin will peel off over the next few days, leaving perfect skin underneath. Continue with plain water only for at least the first month.
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| What is the safest way to care for my newborn baby’s skin? |
Remember that everything coming into contact with your baby’s skin has the potential to harm. Try to follow these simple rules for the safest possible skincare:
- Your baby’s first bath should be carried out using plain water. This will help to protect the delicate skin while it is vulnerable to germs, chemicals and water loss.
- Wash cloths should be avoided as they can be harsh. Hand washing your baby, cotton wool (organic is better) or a natural sponge is gentler.
- A baby comb can be used to gently remove any debris from thick hair after delivery. Please bring a baby comb into hospital with you.
- It is best to leave the delicate area around the eyes untouched. If it does become sticky, please notify a member of staff and they will advise you.
- The ears and nose should also be left alone and cotton buds should be avoided.
- Vernix (this is the sticky white substance that covers your baby’s skin in the womb) should always be left to absorb naturally.
- Continue bathing your baby with plain water for at least the first month before gradually introducing baby products. By this time the skin’s natural barrier will have developed. These products should be free from sulphates (SLS and SLES), colours and strong perfumes.
- Baby wipes should also be avoided for the first month. Once introduced, try to use ones which are mild and free from alcohol and strong perfumes.
- It is safer to file nails with a soft nail file rather than use scissors, which can leave sharp edges. For baby nails that have started to come away, you can gently them off.
- Shampoo is not necessary when your baby is under a year old. Once you have introduced baby bath products, simply rinse your baby’s hair in the bath water solution. If used, shampoo should also be sulphate free (SLS & SLES).
- It is advisable to use a thin layer of barrier cream on the nappy area. The ideal preparation should be free from preservatives, colours, perfumes, antiseptics, and clinically proven to be effective treatment for nappy rash.
- If after a few weeks you wish to use a moisturiser, choose products that are emollient based. These will not dry out the skin, but they will give it some protection.
- When washing your baby’s clothes and bedding remember not to overload the machine to ensure thorough rinsing. Fabric conditioners, if used, should be mild and free from colours and strong perfumes.
- Cloth nappies are as efficient as disposable ones and do not present a higher risk of nappy rash.
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| How should I care for my baby’s cord and why has the cord clamp not been removed? |
Cord care for the healthy term baby: Keep this area clean and dry. The best way to achieve this is to leave the area alone. After the first bath in plain water, pat dry with a clean towel. Fold the nappy back, at each change, until the cord falls off. In the first few days, it is advisable to only top'n'tail your baby to allow the cord to separate naturally. Wet cotton wool can be used if the area becomes soiled, otherwise leave it alone. There is no need to use antiseptic wipes or powders. The cord clamp may or may not be removed, depending on hospital policy. If the cord or surrounding area becomes red or smelly, notify a member of staff. This advice is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations published in 1999.
Cord care for the sick or premature baby: This may differ slightly, due to the increased risk of infection. Antiseptic solutions and/or powders may be used for the first few days. Otherwise cord care should be the same as for any other baby. Be guided by staff in the neonatal unit and they will advise you on the best possible care for your baby.
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| I have heard that skin-to-skin contact is good for my baby and that baby massage is also beneficial. Can you tell me more about this? |
The benefits of skin-to-skin contact cannot be overstated and should be positively encouraged from birth. It not only promotes successful breastfeeding but stabilises your baby’s heart rate and temperature. Baby massage follows on naturally from this and is now widely practised. It is advisable to avoid nut oils, petroleum based oils, or oils with perfumes, if there is any history of allergies in your family. Choose a properly qualified massage therapist for your baby and ask for their advice on suitable oils.
Remember not to use any products on broken skin.
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| I received lots of free samples in the maternity hospital. Does this mean they are safe to use on my newborn baby? |
You may still receive free samples, whilst in the maternity unit or shortly afterwards. These samples are provided by companies as free gifts to new mothers but this does not mean they are suitable for use on newborn skin. There is no evidence to prove a need for such products on newborn skin so I would still recommend you do not introduce the baby skincare products until your baby is at least one month old. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask a member of staff at your local hospital or your community midwife/health visitor, once home.
This information is taken from my Babycare – back to basics™ leaflet which gives the most up-to-date information on baby skincare. Email me if you would like a copy of this leaflet.
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| Are there any ranges of baby products that you would recommend? |
Once your baby is at least one month old small amounts of mild products that are free from colours, alcohol and strong perfumes can be introduced. The following brands are worthy of a mention:
Halos n Horns, Weleda Baby, Organic skincare by Beaming Baby, Green Baby, Ocean Pure, SOS Barefoot Doctor, Aromababy, Organic babies and Children, Natracare Baby and Lavera.
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| My baby is 6 months old. What is the safest way to provide sun protection for him? |
Firstly it is important to keep your baby out of direct sunlight when he is under one year of age. This can be done by using pram covers (even on cloudy days), UV pods, wraparound sunglasses, parasols and hats. Make sure the hats have a wide brim, are made from natural fibres and that they do not have seams or labels that can irritate delicate skin. They should be machine washable and when washing look for soap powders, like Persil, that feature the British Skin Foundation logo because this means they support research into skincare. Use a fabric conditioner like Comfort Pure which contains no colours or strong perfumes. This will keep the fabrics as soft as possible next to your baby’s skin.
For more information on sun protection for your children visit the Cancer UK website.
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| What clothes do you recommend after my baby is one year old? |
There are now many specialist companies that make clothing suitable for wearing in the sun. They give almost total protection by acting as a complete sun-block. This is ideal for baby skin as it avoids the need for sun-protection creams that may irritate delicate skin. The material is lightweight and breathable so it is not too hot but does protect against the harmful UV rays. Once again when machine washing these outfits, look for soap powders, like Persil, that feature the British Skin Foundation logo because this means they support research into skincare.
Some great websites who cater for UV kids clothing, aqua shoes, sunshades and sun protection include:
Kids-Kaper Childrenswear, equatorsun, Up to Five Children's Clothing, and KoolSun.
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| When choosing sun protection creams what should I look out for? |
A sun protection factor above 30 is ideal for children and ideally it should be waterproof if the child is in and out of the pool or the sea. Some brands need to be reapplied every couple of hours whereas others will last all day with only one application. It is important to put the right amount of sun cream on your child and remember that however much you put on this will not allow your child to stay in the sun for many hours at a time. It is safer to avoid the hottest period of the day by staying out of the sun during 10am and 3pm, cover up where possible and use sun glasses and hats at all times.
An excellent site giving information on sun blocks is Coolibar Quality Sun Protection and Blue Lizard is a great brand.
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| What is the best product to use on my child’s skin following exposure to the sun? |
Firstly remember to follow the SMART code, as recommended by the UKs national skin cancer prevention campaign:
Spend time in the shade between 11 and 3
Make sure you never burn
Aim to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses
Remember to take extra care with children
Then use factor 15+ sunscreen
Following exposure to the sun you can use a simple emollient based moisuriser as an after-sun treatment. This will give the natural barrier some protection and also reduce the chances of excessive water loss from your baby’s skin.
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| How can I keep my towels from becoming hard and itchy? |
The best way to care for towels is to wash them using soap powders that feature the British Skin Foundation logo. This means they support research into skincare. There is no need to use a fabric conditioner as this will reduce he absorbent qualities of a towel. However, to avoid the scratchy texture of line-dried towels it is advisable to tumble dry your towels so that they remain soft and fluffy for your baby’s delicate skin.
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| How can I help to keep my baby cool in the summer months? |
Overheating can be very dangerous to a new baby as their temperature regulation system is still immature. Remember never to cover a baby’s head, even if you think a room may be cold. It is a good idea to keep your baby's room at a constant 18-20°C all year round. To achieve this in the summer months it may be necessary to have a gentle fan (not directly blowing on your baby) and leave the window open so fresh air can circulate. Keep bed linen to a minimum by using light layers of sheets or blankets made from natural fibres. These should be washed using soap powders that feature the British Skin Foundation logo because this means they support research into skincare. Use a fabric conditioner like which contains no colours or strong perfumes. This will keep the fabrics as soft as possible next to your baby’s skin.
Alternatively you could use one of the new baby sleeping bags (for example the grobag baby sleeping bag by gro-group) designed especially to keep your baby at the perfect temperature. Follow the manufacturer's recommended advice on what sizes, layers of clothing and tog ratings to use. Make sure the sleeping bag is not too big to avoid a baby slipping down into the bag. Buy a nursery thermometer to help keep your room a constant 18-20°C. If it is really hot your baby may only need to wear a vest. Once your baby can turn over, stop using a sheepskin. Do not use duvets or pillows if your baby is under a year old. Avoid using hot water bottles or electric blankets in your baby’s bed. Your baby may ask for more feeds in hot weather as they get thirsty. Breastmilk is watery so no extra feeds of water are needed, just more breastfeeds.
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| Swaddling babies appears to be fashionable again now – what are the benefits of swaddling and are there any potential drawbacks? How can parents prevent their swaddled babies from overheating? |
A new baby likes to feel secure as this reminds them of their time in the womb. Swaddling is a good way to recreate this environment. Remember to use a thin flannelette sheet (you can cut a sheet into four squares and sew the edges to make your own swaddling blankets) folded gently around your baby. Never cover their head as this could lead to overheating. Do not wrap too tightly and remember to lay your baby on their back at the foot of the bed. This stops them wriggling under covers and getting too hot. Some babies like their arms to be free so just swaddle their body and legs. Take care to use fabrics that are natural and breathable. Wash them before use in soap powders that feature the British Skin Foundation logo because this means they support research into skincare. Use a fabric conditioner which contains no colours or strong perfumes. This will keep the fabrics as soft as possible next to your baby’s skin.
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| I have heard that skin-to-skin contact is good for my baby and that baby massage is also beneficial. Can you tell me more about this? |
Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) simply means placing a newborn baby prone on the chest of its mother, father, sibling or care. In fact anyone can enjoy SSC. The benefits of SSC cannot be overstated and this practice should be positively encouraged from birth. As well as promoting successful breastfeeding, SSC stabilises a baby’s heart rate and temperature. Baby massage follows on naturally from this and is now widely practiced.
Skin-to-skin contact:
- leads to physiological stability within minutes of initiation
- at birth greatly helps the initiation of breastfeeding
- is ideal for fostering good mother/baby relationships
- is ideal for fostering good father/baby relationships
- is ideal for fostering good sibling/baby relationships
- is a non-invasive therapy, which can be carried out anywhere
- is a cost-effective treatment for low-risk infants
- encourages the colonisation of friendly bacteria
- reduces the likelihood of secondary infection to the neonate
- leads to fewer complications in the preterm infant
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| There is a family history of allergies in my family. What oils should I avoid? |
It is advisable to avoid nut oils, petroleum based oils, or oils with perfumes, if there is any history of allergies in your family. Choose a properly qualified massage therapist for your baby and ask for their advice on suitable oils.
Remember not to use any products on broken skin.
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| My baby is already showing signs of eczema, what do you suggest? |
Atopic eczema is closely associated with asthma, hay fever and related allergies and is the commonest form seen. It can be very itchy which can lead to the skin becoming inflamed or even infected. Try to keep nails short and clean and use mittens at night to stop excessive scratching.
The treatments are varied and include creams and soap substitutes, steroid creams and sometimes antihistamines, if the cause is an allergy. Diet can sometimes play a part so with babies it is important to breastfeed for as long as possible and ideally exclusively for the first six months.
Check the baby products you are using and go back to plain water for a few days. Then use mild emollient based products as they provide some protection and can be used as a soap substitute in the bath.
Choose 100% cotton or similar natural fabrics that are breathable and will not allow your baby to get too hot or too cold. Dress your baby in layers so you can add or remove clothes to keep them the right temperature.
Only bath your baby every 2 or 3 days. Us no products for the first month of life then introduce simple products that are free from sulphates (SLS & SLES), parabens and pthalates. Read the labels and avoid highly perfumed brands.
Wash all clothes and bedding before use. A detergent like Persil non-bio, whose research into skincare is supported by the British Skin Foundation, works well and a fabric conditioner that is fee from colours and strong perfumes will make sure the fabric is left soft to the touch. There is a great website with all the information you need at www.eczema.org
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| I received lots of free samples in the maternity hospital. Does this mean they are safe to use on my newborn baby? |
You may still receive free samples, while in the maternity unit or shortly afterwards. These samples are provided by companies as free gifts to new mothers but this does not mean they are suitable for use on newborn skin. There is no evidence to prove a need for such products on newborn skin so I would still recommend you do not introduce the baby skincare products until your baby is at least one month old. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask a member of staff at your local hospital or your community midwife/health visitor, once home.
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| Where can I get more information on this subject? |
My Babycare – back to basics™ leaflet which gives the most up-to-date information on baby skincare is now in its 4th edition. If you would like a copy of this leaflet please order one by email me
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| Are there any ranges of baby products that you would recommend? |
Once your baby is at least one month old small amounts of mild products that are free from colours, alcohol and strong perfumes can be introduced. The following brands are worthy of a mention:
Jackson Reece baby wipes, Halos n Horns, Weleda Baby, Organic skincare by Beaming Baby, Green Baby, Ocean Pure, SOS Barefoot Doctor, Aromababy, Organic babies and Children, Natracare Baby, Sensitive Skincare Co, Mei Mei and Lavera.
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| Should I wash all my baby clothes before their first wear? |
Yes - it is advisable to wash all new baby clothes and bedding in a soap powder whose research into skincare is supported by the British Skin Foundation. It is also a good idea to use a fabric conditioner which is free from colours and strong perfumes. This will help to smooth the fibres and avoid any irritation to your baby’s delicate skin.
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| When buying clothes and bedding for my baby what fabrics should I be looking for? |
It is best to opt for natural, breathable fabrics as these will allow your baby’s skin to stay warm in winter and cool in summer. 100% cotton (brushed or fleece are softer), silk, wool (100% merino wool is softest) or a bamboo mix which is very soft and more absorbent when used as a towel. Once again it is advisable to wash everything in a detergent that features the British Skin Foundation logo. This ensures the product has been formulated to be kind to skin and the manufacturer’s research is backed up by the British Skin Foundation. Fabric conditioners will keep clothes and bedding soft to the touch and avoid irritation but remember to use one that is free from colours and strong perfumes.
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