Newborn’s skin is extra-sensitive, so the fact is that proper care of it is essential. Baby’s skin is thinner and more prone to irritation, but it is also very resilient. The good news is that the best baby skin care tips are very simple, like less is more. Here are few tips you might find useful.

          Bathe when necessary

To avoid irritation and dryness, your baby only needs three baths per week. But it is totally fine to clean away dirt and bacteria a bit more often, depending on the season, humidity and how active baby is. Until the umbilical cord falls off, sponge-bathe your newborn using a clean, damp washcloth. Skin-to-skin contact increases humidity and bacteria growth and that might make your little one start to stink. There is more dead skin in the underarms and private areas, so use cleanser just in there. Do the whole body bath only once a week. If your baby has hair, shampoo at each bath. If he gets oily, yellow scales or crusty spots on his head, then shampoo it daily, rubbing his scalp with your fingertips. Once he is ready for baths, fill a towel-lined sink or a baby tub with 2 inches of water. Trust me, you do not want your baby sitting in soapy water because it can dry out his skin.

          Changing diapers quite often

Most diaper rash happens when babies sit in dirty diapers for too long. When babies eat, they poop pretty soon after. Stay on the lookout after you feed and change them right away you notice it is full. To prevent chafing, use diaper cream at every change. For rash-prone babies, disposable diapers might be better than cloth ones since they keep skin drier. Also, use wipes only when there is poop involved. Even with gentle wipes, the preservatives irritate baby’s skin.

          Moisturizing

A moisturizer might not be necessary for babies with normal skin, though it is still recommended to use it every day. If your baby’s skin is very dry, moisturize it twice a day or even after every diaper change. Rub it everywhere, not just dry spots.

          Shield skin

When babies teethe and eat, they certainly drool. And saliva has enzymes that can irritate their skin. The problem gets worse when skin gets wet and dry over and over again. That is why before you feed your little one, try coating his face with petroleum jelly. Wipe it off with a soft cotton washcloth when lunch time is over and reapply moisturizer.

          Blocking the sun

Early exposure to the sun’s UV rays puts kids at risk of skin cancer later in life, especially infants, whose skin has less  pigment, which protects it from the sun. For the first 6 months, try to avoid any time in the sun. For babies of all ages, aim to stay inside between 10 am to 3 pm. This is the time when the sun is strongest. When you do head outside you should avoid direct sunlight. Perhaps use a stroller shade or an umbrella. Also, dress your baby in long sleeves and pants in tight weaves. Use a hat that covers your baby’s face and the neck. Oh, and do not forget to apply sunscreen. If there is no way to avoid the sun, some sunscreen is okay even for the youngest babies. Just be careful when you put it around their eyes and mouth. You should reapply it every 2 hours or when baby gets wet.

          Dressing

Wool, including cashmere, might be irritating for the baby. Also, be sure to wash anything that will touch your baby’s skin before he wears it.

          Here you go. You probably already knew all the things in this list, but it is only a benefit to read it all over again, just in case you forgot it.