Babies’ and children’s skin

Caring for young and delicate skin
It’s only natural to want to protect your baby’s delicate skin.  And since your little one’s skin is five times thinner than yours, it needs extra loving care. This simple guide will help to keep it peachy.

Getting to grips with bath time
Use a gentle product specially designed for babies skin.  .

Coping with cradle cap
If dry skin appears on your baby’s scalp, this is likely to be a common condition called cradle cap. It’s harmless, but please don't pick at the skin or it could become infected. Speak to your health visitor about the options and products available for helping this.

Mastering milk spots
It's normal for your baby to get a few spots and bumps. The most common of these are milia - otherwise known as 'milk spots'. These can appear up to a few weeks after birth and are caused by the sweat glands as they begin to work.

Milk spots are harmless and usually disappear by themselves. Just stick to a simple skincare routine of washing your baby’s face in cooled, boiled water, and softly patting it dry.

Nailing nappy rash
Nappy rash is a common condition that can be caused when a baby's skin comes into contact with nappy contents (to put no too fine a point on it, wee and poo). nappy rash may cause skin to become sore, irritated and sometimes red and blotchy.. try not to worry; make sure your baby’s skin is kept clean and dry and have a chat with yout Health Visitor or GP for additional support.

Dressing for success
Dressing your baby in cotton clothes may help to avoid irritation and try using a laundry detergent specifically made for sensitive skin.

Staying protected
Keep your baby out of the sun, especially when the sun is at its strongest (between 11am to 3pm). Just like babies, children also have thinner skin than adults, which means skin sensitivity is not uncommon. For example, children may be more likely than adults to experience irritation when exposed to certain foods or environmental factors, such as rough clothing or heat. If your child’s skin becomes red or itchy, follow the same advice as you would for your baby and get medical advice for reassurance.

You can also involve young children in taking care of their own skin by encouraging them to wash their hands regularly and to apply their own sun cream. Just be sure to check they haven’t missed a bit (or a lot).