Skin Basics For Newborn

Check a useful article HERE.

Moisturizing Dry Skin/Winter Care For Kids - Mom Reviews

Sree (India) :

No vigorous massaging, nalugu during winter.  also keep combing the hair of the kid every day after bath with a soft comb so that it does not crust over and also not get tangled.

If in the habit of applying oil to the skin, apply a good half-hour to hour before the bath, let it sink in and then give bath with mild soap.. and do not use very hot water in spite of being winter, keep the water temperature lukewarm and do not take a lot of time for bath..

After the bath, do not rub or dry vigorously, just pat dry and when the body is still moist with water (tadi-podigaa), just patting away the water droplets, apply a dab of moisturizer liberally over the skin.

Kids suffering from allergies/skin conditions like eczema have skin which cannot retain moisture for long in spite of supplementing, so clean up with wet (nonfragrant tissues) or warm water and apply the cream evenly over the skin multiple times and ensure that the skin does not get dry.. it can vary from 5 to 6 times or above in case of extreme dry conditions.

Take the advise of a physician before trying or applying topical steroidal creams to the skin..

The types of skin of the kids might vary and some may respond to some and some dont but by and large appropriate and multiple applications at the time of flare of any cream should do good.

Cetaphil.

This one is for fragrance free and good for dry skin conditions, which I use when there is a flareup of rash on the body.  I also find that cream version of it is a bit more greasier and useful than the lotion when there is an outbreak of rash.

This is the lotion form of the same..

We also get lightweight moisture treatment for regular use, so when there is no flare I go with that for regular use irrespective of the season.

There are cleansers and soap bars also from the same brand which can be used in combination if it works good for the kid's skin.

I did not get this particular item in AP anywhere, since it worked good I get it from US when someone can manage to bring it.

J and J (Indian manufacture)

This maybe good if all is well with the skin but in extreme dry conditions, I found it of little use.

Vaseline Intensive Care

In case we do not have access to Cetaphil such as in AP, India, I found this as an okay alternative than the others available in the market like J and J, Himalaya.  In desperation, when she had flare I even tried applying Nivea cream which did keep the dryness away but then Revathi sent me another pack and back to Cetaphil.

Meera (United States)

Dry skin/flaking in babies is a very common problem. Use Cetaphil lotion right after bath. Bath alternate days or once in 3 days must be enough in this cold climate, nothing much is needed. You can give him sponge bath if u want, in between. You get bodywash also in Aveeno which is moisturizing wash. Try that one. It won't dry his skin. And do not apply Vaseline.. what the doctor says is right if you apply Vaseline at such an early age, the skin pores will get blocked and will produce even more oil.. you keep the kid moist not greasy.

Rashes/eruption in the scalp/head and hair is cradle cap ..it is kind of baby dandruff but does not look like it completely... But it is red bumpy, and flaky.  It will increase if you apply oil to it...

Cetaphil will work good for overall moisturization

1. Finally..apply cetaphil right after bath.
2. Give him bath alternate days.
3. Keep the humidifier running at all times.
4. No sunnipindi at all.
5. Do not apply oil to the hair... take a soft combing brush and comb of the crust very slightly.. if it is too hard, the crusting then better leave it alone...

Majority of it will go away between 3 to 6 months, so do not worry.

Soumya, Kumari, Shruthi, (United States):
Aveeno.
Baby Aquaphor.
Cetaphil.

Pinxav..  for diaper rash.. available over the counter good for diaper rash (Pushpa, US).

Diaper Rash

Nappy rash is common in some children ESP when the skin remains wet for longer time. So, in India, we advise to avoid branded nappies as much as possible (use them only when going out, at home you can use something homemade like we use in India, made of cotton, more ventilation, try it doesn’t remain wet for longer time). These home made one are really good esp. till the time she recovers from these rashes. Use whatever cream advised by your doctor. Understand the basic principle, the skin need more ventilation, it should be more airy not wet.

Skin conditions, bathing, tips.

DO NOT KISS THE BABY ON CHEEKS OR FOREHEAD WITH THE LIPS, THE BABY SKIN EXTREMELY DELICATE AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO KISS THE SALIVA AND OTHER PARTICLES TEND TO IRRITATE THE SKIN, SO IF THERE IS A RASH ON THE CHEEKS FIRST CHECK OUT IF THAT IS THE REASON.

Bath and Applying Cream
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Massage with any oil of your choice/what suits the baby's skin/vennapoosa (butter from butter milk)/ perugu or paala meeda meegada before giving bath to the baby. oil/vennapoosa before giving bath to the baby, that would be of great help and help in preventing the dryness or moisture loss due to applying soaps or sunnipindi on the child's body.

Apply any cream of choice that suits the baby's skin or recommended by the doctor to whole body just immediately after bath when the body is still moist after patting it dry.

If possible use glycerin baby soap.

If there is extreme dryness of the skin then wipe the baby's body with a wet cloth and after drying apply the cream about 4 to 5 times or more if you see the skin is getting dry.

BABY ECZEMA
It is more common in the kids born in US than the kids in India and it is not a serious condition if care is taken from the very start. Doctors treat with steroids if the condition is serious otherwise just do with topical application of creams and lotions, in either case we need to do things under doctor's supervision because if not treated baby eczema can lead to allergies/asthma, etc.

As per my doc, it can be seen in kids with family history of allergic conditions/eczema/asthma/dermatitis etc and it is very very common occurrence in infants across the world. It is nothing but an extreme dry skin condition. To cure it initially they would give steroids/hydrocortisone cream, avoid exposing the kid to water for long time, nalugu/massage should be avoided until doctor's consent, and it is aggrevated during winter because of heater usage, keep the settings at bare minimum, use more layered clothing, and use a humidifier in their case. It usually does not cause pain but is very irritating and itchy for the kids and the skin appearance and all would be heart-breaking for the parents :(. Do not use powder, keep the body moisturized always.

If and if using cooler/heater (artificial conditioning) use a humidifier for sure.

If there is a rash, applying it just over the rash wont help, apply it all over the body, as and when you feel the skin is getting dry, keep re-applying it. Cetaphil is the best by my personal experience. If possible use Cetaphil soap as well which would help.

Baby acne is so common for the kids born in US. There are a lot of moisturizers in the market like JnJ, Aquaphor, Euceriene, Aveeno and Cetaphil. If either of the parents has an extremely dry skin, the kid might get this problem.

If possible use cotton clothing at the max in all possible ways.

IF THE BABY'S SKIN GETS DRY AND HAS ACNE, THEN AVOID USING SUNNIPINDI AND SEE FIRST BEFORE ANY INTERVENTION.

First check this link for parents guide on children's personal care products.... http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/parentsguide/EWG_parentsguide.pdf
For dry skin, do proper oil massage (only after 3 months) and after bath apply moisturizer.. use only a few products which are fragrance free..

check about more products on this website http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/parentsguide/