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When you first look at an infant all covered with flakes and acne, you might think 'why isn't his skin just beautiful as I thought it would be, as all the pictures in the magazines show?'. Did you know that there are over 40 different kinds of temporary skin problems that can develop with an infant's skin? An infant during his first few days and weekly will actually shed bits of the waxy protective membrane that is all over an infant when he is born.
Sometimes this is due to the delivery and will be mostly on his hands and feet. You might have seen a snake shedding his skin: that is about what a newborn baby's skin can look like during these days and weeks. Sometimes when looking at an infant's skin you might think he almost looks like the teenage brother or sister he has already.
Baby boys are actually more prone to this acne than baby girls. The pediatrician can prescribe a topical antibiotic, or a mild, medicated ointment that should help clear the baby's skin. Some of these can dry out the skin also.
Now infants will also develop rashes those first few days and weeks, from the humidity not be correct in the home, perhaps too dry, plus the rashes can develop from the lotion, soap or creams used on his delicate skin. He can develop eczema, but this usually doesn't happen until the ages from two to five months. If you find that your baby has very sensitive skin you might want to keep him away from possible irritants, try applying petroleum jelly or a lotion without a fragrance. Be very careful of lotions with a fragrance in their ingredients on the label as highly sensitive skin can develop a rash from these products. Sometimes when the baby seems like he is itching you might also call the pediatrician to get some type of ointment to stop the itching.
I would like to suggest a few things that you might do to keep your baby's skin feeling very soft to the touch. I think regulating the humidity in the home is an excellent idea not only for your infant but for all family members as it helps to regulate the air so that it is not too dry. Be very careful when you bring out the baby into the outdoors as direct sunlight is not good at all for an infant. Be sure to cover him as you walk in the direct sunlight. He can sunburn very easily at his young age. Usually pediatricians will advise not to use sunscreen of any kind before six months of age. Try to cover him as much as possible with clothing or perhaps shield him with a blanket. I think a baby should be bathed at least every other day and I would think the diaper area should be washed daily to prevent a rash.
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