- posted: Mar. 11, 2024
The clinicians at Valley Pediatrics in Owings Mills, MD, have some tips for keeping your baby's skin healthy and protected.
Sun Damage
Sun damage at a young age is especially dangerous because if can greatly increase the risk of skin cancer in the future.
- Keep the baby in the shade as much as possible
- Use lightweight clothing covering arms and legs.
- Start using a hat early to get them used to wearing one
- Umbrellas and light weight stroller covers also help
- Avoid sun exposure mid-day; try for safer times, before 10 am and after 4 pm.
- Sunscreen should be avoided under six months.
- Before using sunscreen on a young baby, do a patch test
- Put sunscreen on a small area of the leg before bedtime. Cover. Check the area in the morning.
Dry Skin
- Newborns often have a few patches of dry skin, which will disappear.
- Avoid soap. Infants who are not moving don't get very dirty. Often, water alone is fine.
- Rinse all soap off the baby's skin before taking them out of the bath
- Utilize scent-free, dye-free moisturizers.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after the bath, before the skin is even fully dry
Good Bathing Habits
- Hold the baby securely, and never turn your back on your baby or leave them alone during bathtime, even for a few seconds
- It is not necessary to bathe a young baby every day.
- Make sure the bathing room is warm.& the water is a comfortable temperature.
Cradle Cap
These scaly patches on the scalp, forehead, eyebrows, and ears go away on their own.
- Apply a small amount of mineral oil to the scalp, use a soft brush to remove scales, then wash with gentle baby shampoo.
- Talk to your doctor if it seems to be causing problems or not go away.
Caring for a baby's nails
Trimming a baby's nails can be very challenging.
- Use a clipper designed for babies.
- Cut nails when baby is asleep or strapped in to a car seat
- Using a baby emery board can help smooth rough corners
Caring for the Umbilical cord
- Keep the area dry. There is no need to clean the cord stump. The cord stump falls off by 2 weeks of age, often sooner.
- Report indications of pus, redness, swelling, fever, or bleeding to the doctor.
Seeking A Quality Pediatrician for Your Newborn
If you are searching for a top-quality pediatric doctor for newborn care, call one of our pediatric doctors and schedule your appointment today at 410-902-7710 at Valley Pediatrics Associates in Owings Mills, MD.
- posted: Mar. 11, 2024
The clinicians at Valley Pediatrics in Owings Mills, MD, have some tips for keeping your baby's skin healthy and protected.
Sun Damage
Sun damage at a young age is especially dangerous because if can greatly increase the risk of skin cancer in the future.
- Keep the baby in the shade as much as possible
- Use lightweight clothing covering arms and legs.
- Start using a hat early to get them used to wearing one
- Umbrellas and light weight stroller covers also help
- Avoid sun exposure mid-day; try for safer times, before 10 am and after 4 pm.
- Sunscreen should be avoided under six months.
- Before using sunscreen on a young baby, do a patch test
- Put sunscreen on a small area of the leg before bedtime. Cover. Check the area in the morning.
Dry Skin
- Newborns often have a few patches of dry skin, which will disappear.
- Avoid soap. Infants who are not moving don't get very dirty. Often, water alone is fine.
- Rinse all soap off the baby's skin before taking them out of the bath
- Utilize scent-free, dye-free moisturizers.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after the bath, before the skin is even fully dry
Good Bathing Habits
- Hold the baby securely, and never turn your back on your baby or leave them alone during bathtime, even for a few seconds
- It is not necessary to bathe a young baby every day.
- Make sure the bathing room is warm.& the water is a comfortable temperature.
Cradle Cap
These scaly patches on the scalp, forehead, eyebrows, and ears go away on their own.
- Apply a small amount of mineral oil to the scalp, use a soft brush to remove scales, then wash with gentle baby shampoo.
- Talk to your doctor if it seems to be causing problems or not go away.
Caring for a baby's nails
Trimming a baby's nails can be very challenging.
- Use a clipper designed for babies.
- Cut nails when baby is asleep or strapped in to a car seat
- Using a baby emery board can help smooth rough corners
Caring for the Umbilical cord
- Keep the area dry. There is no need to clean the cord stump. The cord stump falls off by 2 weeks of age, often sooner.
- Report indications of pus, redness, swelling, fever, or bleeding to the doctor.
Seeking A Quality Pediatrician for Your Newborn
If you are searching for a top-quality pediatric doctor for newborn care, call one of our pediatric doctors and schedule your appointment today at 410-902-7710 at Valley Pediatrics Associates in Owings Mills, MD.