Bathing, oil massage, chapped cheeks and lips, and what to apply before school.
In winter, bathing a newborn 2–3 times a week is enough; a daily bath is not needed. On other days, wipe the face, neck folds and nappy area with a soft cloth dipped in lukewarm water. Until the cord stump falls off, give sponge baths. After bathing, pat dry and apply a thin layer of Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion within 2–3 minutes.
A baby's bath water should be lukewarm, roughly body temperature (36–38°C), never steaming hot. Without a thermometer, dip your elbow in: if it feels comfortably warm, it is right. Run cold water first, then add hot. Keep the bath to 5–10 minutes, warm the room beforehand, and use a small amount of Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo instead of regular soap.
In winter, a mild, low-foam baby wash or baby bar is best, such as Cetaphil Baby Mild Bar or Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo. Use a little only where sweat collects (neck, armpits, nappy area); water alone cleans the rest of the body. Do not use laundry soap, antiseptic soap or adult scented body wash on a baby.
In winter, choose a fragrance-free or very lightly scented lotion made for babies, such as Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion. Ingredients like oat, glycerin and ceramides are good; avoid strong perfume and colour. Apply a thin layer all over after the bath and before bed. If the skin is very dry, use Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft on the cheeks, hands and legs.
For normal baby skin a lotion is enough, but when skin turns rough or reddish in winter, a thicker cream works better. You can use Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion all over by day and Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft on dry spots (cheeks, elbows, knees) at night. Applying on slightly damp skin, right after the bath, locks in more moisture.
Mustard oil is not the best choice for babies. Research shows it can irritate some babies' skin and weaken the skin's protective barrier, especially in newborns. That is why many doctors suggest massaging with a fragrance-free baby moisturiser instead, such as Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion. The massage itself is good; just change what you use.
Massage is not compulsory, but it comforts the baby and builds your bond. After the bath, in a warm room and at least 30–45 minutes after a feed, massage gently for 5–10 minutes. Take a little Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion and start from the legs. Avoid pressure on the face, near the eyes and over the navel; stop if the baby cries.
On an older baby's dry skin, a little pure virgin coconut oil is usually fine, but for newborns and babies under 6 months a fragrance-free baby moisturiser is the safer choice. If you use coconut oil, test it on a small patch of the leg for a day and stop if red bumps appear. Never use perfumed hair oils. An easy alternative: Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft.
Olive oil is not ideal for a baby's dry skin. Research shows that regular use can slightly weaken a newborn's skin barrier, and it is best avoided for babies at risk of eczema. For winter massage, use a fragrance-free baby lotion or cream instead, such as Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion.
Apply a thick, fragrance-free baby cream to red, chapped cheeks 2–3 times a day, such as Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft. Always apply it before going out and before sleep. Do not rub the face when wiping; pat dry with a soft cloth. Cover the cheeks in cold wind. If it does not improve in a week, itches or starts oozing, see a doctor.
With drool rash, the main job is keeping the area dry and giving it a protective layer. Pat drool away with a soft cotton cloth; do not rub. After feeds and before sleep, apply a thin layer of Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft so saliva does not sit directly on the skin. Change wet bibs quickly. See a doctor if you see blisters, pus or fever.
For a baby's cracked lips, put a tiny amount of fragrance-free baby cream on a fingertip and apply it a few times a day, such as Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft. Wipe the mouth after a feed, then apply. Do not use adult coloured, scented or SPF lip balms on small babies, as they lick it off. See a doctor if the lips bleed or the baby refuses to feed.
The most effective rule for nappy rash is changing quickly and keeping the area dry; in winter people change less often. Clean with lukewarm water and a soft cloth, pat dry and leave it open a few minutes. A zinc oxide nappy cream is not on our shelf right now; a pharmacy will have one. See a doctor for blisters, pus, fever or no improvement in 3 days.
Cradle cap is usually harmless and clears on its own within a few months. Fifteen minutes before the bath, apply a little fragrance-free baby moisturiser to soften the scales, then wash with Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo and brush gently with a soft brush. Do not pick with nails. See a doctor if it turns red and spreads, oozes, itches, or spreads to the face or body.
Ordinary winter dryness settles within days of moisturising; eczema shows as rough, red, itchy patches that keep coming back. In small babies it appears mostly on the cheeks, scalp and outer arms and legs, and the baby rubs its face on the bedding. If you see patches like these, see a doctor. Meanwhile, apply Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft twice a day and keep baths short and lukewarm.
See a doctor without delay if you notice any of these: oozing or pus, yellow crusts, blisters, fever, itch waking the baby at night, fast spreading, or no improvement after a week of moisturising. For any rash in a baby under 3 months, it is best to see a doctor first. Do not apply any steroid or medicated cream on your own.
Yes, peeling on the hands, feet and ankles in the first 1–3 weeks after birth is very normal; the new skin underneath forms on its own. Do not pull or rub the flakes. Keep baths short and apply a little Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion to dry areas once a day. See a doctor if cracks bleed, the skin turns red and swollen, or the baby seems uncomfortable.
A baby does not need a face wash; soft cotton or a cloth dipped in lukewarm water is enough. Wipe each eye from the inner corner outwards with fresh cotton. If milk or food is stuck on, mix a tiny amount of Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo in water and wipe it off. Then pat dry and apply a thin layer of baby cream to the cheeks.
Sitting with a baby in gentle morning sun for a short while is fine, but do not keep a baby undressed in strong direct sun for long; skin under 6 months burns very easily. Sunlight is not a safe or reliable treatment for jaundice; if the baby looks yellow, see a doctor. Ask your doctor whether your baby needs vitamin D.
Generally, from 6 months of age you can use a sunscreen made for babies, such as Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 50. Before 6 months, shade, a hat and thin long-sleeved clothes are the protection. In winter, if you go out around midday, apply it to the face, backs of hands and legs 15 minutes before leaving and reapply every 2 hours.
Wool fibres can rub sensitive skin and cause itching or red bumps. Always put a soft cotton layer under the sweater, with cotton at the neck and wrists. Overheating and trapped sweat also cause rashes, so add or remove layers as needed. Apply Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion before dressing. If the bumps do not settle or they spread, see a doctor.
Washing baby clothes in a fragrance-free, mild detergent and rinsing twice is the safest approach. Avoid fabric softener and strong scents, as residue on the fabric can make itching worse. Wash new clothes once before use. In winter, dry them well in the sun. If a rash still appears, apply a fragrance-free baby cream.
A heater dries the room air, so a baby's skin turns tight and rough. Keep the heater away from the baby, do not run it all night, and place a bowl of water or a damp cloth in the room. Before sleep, apply Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft to the cheeks, hands and legs. Do not over-bundle the baby; sweating leads to rashes.
Babies do not need powder in winter, and it is better not to use it. Powder dries skin further, and it can float into the air and be breathed in, which is a risk for the lungs. If moisture collects in skin folds, pat it dry with a soft cloth. On dry skin, use a thin layer of Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion instead of powder.
Do not use adult creams, body lotions or essential oils on a baby under 6 months. They may contain fragrance, brightening ingredients or acids that irritate a baby's thin skin. Use only fragrance-free products made for babies, such as Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion or Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft. Test anything new on a small patch first.
If a baby's hands and feet are rough, apply a thick baby cream such as Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft before bed and put on soft cotton socks. Babies suck their hands, so use a very thin layer there. Slightly cool hands and feet are normal; check the chest and back are warm. If hands or feet turn bluish or the baby seems floppy, see a doctor quickly.
Moisturiser works best after the bath, when the skin is still slightly damp and moisture gets locked in. After the bath, pat dry with a soft towel and apply Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion within 3 minutes. Oil before the bath can make the baby slippery and needs more soap to wash off. If you want to massage, do it right after the bath.
Before school, wash the face and apply a mild, fragrance-free lotion to the face, hands and legs, such as Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Sensitive Skin. Put lip balm on the lips. If there is a morning assembly or outdoor play, add sunscreen on the face and hands. The whole thing takes 2 minutes; a small lotion in the bag lets them reapply after tiffin.
For children over 3, a simple, low-fragrance lip balm is fine, such as Sebamed Lip Defense SPF30 Cherry Lip Balm, which also protects against daytime sun. Apply it before school, after tiffin and at bedtime. Do not let them peel the skin off. Avoid brightening or tinted balms. If the corners of the mouth crack into sores or bleed, see a doctor.
Licking the lips leaves saliva to dry, causing a red, rough ring around the mouth; it is very common in winter. Apply a thick, mild balm such as Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume to the lips and surrounding skin several times a day. Wipe the mouth after eating and reapply, and gently remind the child not to lick. See a doctor if it lasts beyond 2 weeks or sores appear.
Do not stop hand-washing; build the habit of moisturising afterwards. Use lukewarm water and a mild soap, dry the hands fully, then apply a little CeraVe Moisturising Lotion for Dry to Very Dry Skin. A dedicated hand cream is not on our shelf right now; this lotion, or a thick cream at night, works well. See a doctor if the cracks bleed or show pus.
Dry winter wind and dust leave a child's face rough after play. When they come in, wash the face and hands with lukewarm water, pat dry with a soft towel, then apply Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Sensitive Skin. Putting on moisturiser and sunscreen before play reduces wind damage. If there is stinging, swelling or itching, see a doctor.
Yes, if a child is out in midday sun on the school field, a picnic or a trip, sunscreen is needed in winter too. Choose a mild sunscreen for children, such as Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 50. Apply to the face, ears, neck and hands 15 minutes before going out and reapply after 2 hours. Add a hat.
Yes, a stick sunscreen is easy for children to apply themselves and does not spill in the bag, such as Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF-50. Teach them to swipe it 3–4 times over the forehead, nose, cheeks and ears after tiffin or before going out to play. They should not apply it very close to the eyes. After school, wash the face and moisturise.
Plain, fragrance-free moisturisers are usually fine for children even if they are sold for adults, such as Cerave Moisturizing Cream For Normal To Dry Skin. But do not give children retinol, AHA/BHA, vitamin C serums, brightening or lightening creams, or acne medicines unless a doctor advises it. Test anything new on a small patch of the arm first.
Yes, long baths in very hot water wash away the skin's natural oils, which increases itching and roughness. Keep the water lukewarm, finish in 5–10 minutes, and use soap only where sweat collects. Within 3 minutes of the bath, apply CeraVe Moisturising Lotion for Dry to Very Dry Skin all over.
School-age children sweat and play in dust, so a short daily or alternate-day bath is fine in winter. The key rules are a short bath, lukewarm water and a mild soap. If the skin is very dry, a full bath every other day with hands, face and feet washed in between is enough. Apply lotion all over after every bath.
For a child's cracked heels, apply a thick cream before bed and put on cotton socks. A dedicated foot or heel cream is not on our shelf right now, but Cerave Moisturising Cream For Dry to Very Dry Skin does this job well. Cut down on walking barefoot on cold floors. Do not scrub with a pumice stone. See a doctor if cracks bleed, swell or hurt.
Pale, rough patches on a child's cheeks are often caused by dryness (often called pityriasis alba); they show up more in winter and are not contagious. Apply Cerave Moisturizing Cream For Normal To Dry Skin to the face twice a day and use sunscreen outdoors by day. The colour takes months to even out. See a doctor if patches grow, itch or have a sharp red border.
Yes, once puberty starts, a simple 3-step routine is enough: a mild face wash morning and night, a light moisturiser, and sunscreen by day. In winter, use CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser twice a day, then a light lotion. Do not start harsh scrubs or adult acne medicines on your own. See our teen guide for details; see a doctor for large painful pimples or scarring.