How to Treat Your Baby's Dry Skin

Newborns have crazy skin. After nine months of dreaming of holding that silky softness against your face, your bundle of joy arrives both wrinkled and dry. Not to worry, though. Babies will most often shed this flaky layer during the first few weeks of life, but there are a few ways you can help it along.

First and foremost, remember that baby skin is delicate. It has yet to be toughened up by chemicals and sunlight, so be careful what you use to treat their dry skin. Sometimes, what you lather on your baby does more harm than good. When buying lotion, stay away from the "baby smell." The odor that makes these lotions so famous is a fragrance that may cause an allergic reaction and more damage to your baby's new skin. If you use lotion, use one that is all-natural and free of dyes and fragrance.

Instead of lotion, opt for balms or oils to treat your baby's dry skin. Choose water-based products instead of petroleum-based (these only treat the symptoms and not the dry skin itself). There are many organic balms and oils on the market that are made especially for a baby's sensitive skin. These contain only natural ingredients, such as extra virgin olive oil and beeswax, as well as soothing herbs like chamomile (the smell that comes along with this is both wonderful and safe).

In addition to using oils, do your best to provide an environment in your home that is good for your baby's skin. For instance, avoid deodorizer sprays that contain harsh chemicals, and if you smoke, don't smoke indoors. (This also wreaks havoc on your baby's lungs.) If your house is dry, try putting a pot of water on the stove to boil. This will add moisture back into the air and back into your baby's skin.

Baby soap will dry out baby skin even more, so limit baths to once every two to three days. On the days in between, wash your baby's face, neck and diaper area with warm water. When choosing a cleanser, pay attention to ingredients. If your baby has sensitive skin, dyes and fragrances in the soap may further irritate or cause a rash. Look for mild products that are all-natural, fragrance-free and made especially for sensitive skin.

It's very probable that, no matter what you do, your baby's skin will still be dry and peeling for the first couple of months of life. Gently cleansing the dry areas with warm water and a soft cloth will help get rid of flaky skin that is ready to come off. Using an all-natural product will help soothe your baby's skin and assure that it doesn't crack and become painful. Before you know it, your baby will sport the pink, flawless skin you dreamed of.