It's important not to wait too long after that because your baby's skin may get irritated by water loss through evaporation if it's too dry. Just be sure to use a gentle lotion safe for delicate skin.
The safe age to put lotion on your baby is around 4 weeks. That's when his skin has developed enough to handle moisturizer without getting irritated or breaking out in hives (a common reaction some babies have to lotions).
Why Should You Use Gentle Lotion?
If you're wondering why you should use a gentle lotion, it's because newborns have sensitive skin — and the older they get, the more likely they are to break out in rashes or hives if they come into contact with something irritates their skin.
Can You Put Regular Or Adult Lotion On Baby’s Skin?
The answer is yes. Many adult lotions come in chemicals-free and alcoholic-free ingredients. Such lotions are safe for baby's skin.
But it may be best to avoid using any body lotion on your baby's sensitive skin because Most adult lotions contain ingredients that can irritate the baby's delicate skin and even cause an allergic reaction or rash.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents use only baby soap and water to clean their baby's bottom, hands, and face. That's because many common ingredients in lotions can cause rashes or irritate a baby's delicate skin.
If you want to use a moisturizer on your baby, look for products specifically designed for babies. They usually contain no fragrances or dyes, which can cause allergic reactions in some babies. You should also read labels carefully to ensure the product doesn't contain any potentially irritating ingredients.
What Are The Guidelines To Choose Lotion For My Baby?
The following guidelines will help you choose a gentle baby lotion:
- Look for a product that contains no fragrances or dyes (fragrances may irritate sensitive baby skin).
- Choose a hypoallergenic product if you are concerned about allergic reactions to ingredients such as fragrances, preservatives, dyes, and soaps (although these ingredients are rarely an issue when choosing products for babies).
Can You Put Baby Lotion On 3, 4, and 5 Weeks Old Baby?
You can start putting lotion on your baby when they are a few days old. For example, if you have had a Cesarean section or your baby was born with jaundice and had to be bathed with a sponge, you may want to use a mild moisturizer on them.
You will want to wait until 3 weeks old to use any other lotion. This is because babies are susceptible to infections and allergies from different ingredients in lotions. They also have sensitive skin vulnerable to irritation from soap, shampoo, and even laundry detergent. But later, their skin starts growing, so it would be safe to apply lotion after 3 weeks.
Can I Put Lotion If My Baby Has Dry Skin Due To Eczema Or Allergies?
If your baby has dry skin or rashes due to eczema or allergies, you should talk with your pediatrician about using baby lotion. It would help if you didn't use regular body lotion because it contains chemicals that could irritate your child's eyes and nose, which are sensitive areas on their bodies during their first few weeks.
Can I Put Lotion on My Baby Before The Umbilical Cord Falls?
You should not use baby lotion before the umbilical cord falls off. This usually happens about five days after birth. However, if your baby has dry skin or rashes due to eczema or allergies, you should talk with your pediatrician about using baby lotion for dry skin. It would help if you didn't use regular body lotion because it contains chemicals that could irritate your child's eyes and nose, which are sensitive areas on their bodies during their first few weeks.
What Are The Safety Measures To Follow Before Putting Baby Lotion?
What Are The Safety Measures To Follow Before Putting Baby Lotion?
There are some safety measures that you should follow before applying lotion to your baby.
Make Sure The Lotion Is Scent-Free
If the lotion has a scent, then it can irritate your baby's sensitive skin. Many products in the market come with a mild scent; however, they are free from any chemicals that might irritate your baby's skin. You can also opt for unscented lotions if your baby sleeps well after applying them to their body.
Avoid Using Petroleum Jelly On Your Baby
Petroleum jelly is not recommended for babies as it can clog pores and cause rashes on their skin. If you have been using petroleum jelly on your child till now, stop using it immediately and replace it with some other product that is safe for use by babies.
Wash Your Hands Before Applying Lotion On Your Baby's Body
Lotions should never be applied directly onto your baby's skin as they might irritate their sensitive skin even further. The best way to apply lotion on your baby is by first washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water and then applying it gently with clean hands onto the required areas of the baby's body.
Use Lotion Only When Necessary
As mentioned above, lotions are not required for everyday use as they can clog pores and cause rashes on babies' skin. It would help if you used lotion only when necessary, like when the skin gets chapped or dry due to cold weather or climate change. Use it only once a day and avoid applying it more than once a day unless necessary.
Use Natural Ingredients In Lotions For Babies
It is best to purchase lotions made of natural ingredients instead of artificial ones because these are safer for babies. You can also make your lotion at home using ingredients like coconut oil which have great moisturizing properties and can keep your baby's skin soft and smooth without causing any side effects like irritation or redness.
Can I Put Suntan Lotion On My Baby?
The answer is Not usually.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping newborns and babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight.
The AAP says babies younger than 6 months should never be exposed to the sun without protection. The risks of skin cancer are much higher for babies than adults. Babies skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin, so it's easier for UV rays to damage a baby's skin cells.
When you are required to apply Suntan lotion, use only sunscreen labeled "broad spectrum" with an SPF of at least 30. The SPF rating measures protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. A higher SPF does not offer greater protection against UVA rays, which are associated with premature aging of the skin and an increased risk of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer).
Choose a water-resistant formula if you'll be outdoors for extended periods or if there's a chance of getting wet (like during bath time).
The FDA recommends applying sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside and reapplying it every 2 hours while you're outside or after swimming or sweating heavily.
If you are interested to read about the right age for your baby to bring him to the beach, then read here.
Which Chemicals Need To Be Avoided In Baby Lotion?
Some baby lotions contain ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or irritate your little one’s sensitive skin. If you want to ensure you are using the best products for your baby, avoid these chemicals:
Formaldehyde: This chemical is used as a preservative in many cosmetic products. It can cause severe allergic reactions and rashes in those with sensitive skin.
Parabens: These preservatives may be harmful to babies who are still developing their immune systems. They can also irritate sensitive skin and cause dermatitis after prolonged use.
Phthalates: Phthalates are often found in perfumes and fragrances used in some baby products. They are known endocrine disruptors that can hurt male reproductive systems and female reproductive development in children exposed to them during early development stages.
FAQs
When Can I Put Lotion On My Newborn Baby's Face?
There is no hard rule to follow to apply lotion on your baby's face. But only you need to be careful and start applying after 4 weeks.
How Often Can I moisturizer My New Born Baby Skin?
You should not put lotion on your baby's skin more than once every day. If you put lotion on too frequently, it can cause irritation and dryness in the skin.
What Kind Of Lotion Can I Put On My Newborn Baby's Face?
You'll need a gentle moisturizing lotion if your baby has oily or sensitive skin. If your baby has dry or normal skin, then you can use any type of regular lotion.
How To Take Care Of Baby’s Skin?
The first thing you should do is to give them an all-over body massage using a gentle, non-perfumed cream. The most preferable is mustard oil as it is antibiotic. This will help the baby relax.
You can also use a mild soap but ensure that it is non-allergenic and contains no fragrance or coloring agents. Rinse off the soap with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel after each bath.
What is The Alternative Of Lotion For a Baby’s Skin?
The alternative to lotion for a baby’s skin is oil. It is better than lotion as it has more benefits and fewer side effects.
What Are The Ingredients Use In Baby Lotion?
The lotion comprises water, mineral oil, glycerin or vegetable oil, and perfume. It does not have any benefit other than hydrating your skin. It can also cause rashes and skin allergies in your body. The main ingredients in the lotion are mineral oil and petrolatum, which are not good for the development of your baby’s skin. These ingredients can clog the pores, which leads to acne breakouts in teenagers.
Is Jhonson’s Baby Lotion Safe To Apply On Baby’s Skin?
Yes, Johnson’s Baby Lotion is safe to apply on the baby’s skin. It has been specially formulated by experts to provide optimum protection and care for your baby’s skin.
Johnson’s Baby Lotion contains ingredients like Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Cocamide DEA), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Dimethicone Copolyol (and) PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (and) Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Citric Acid (and) Disodium EDTA (and) Fragrance.
Is There Organic Baby Lotions For Babies In Markets?
You can find a lot of organic baby lotions in the market these days, but the best way is to make your organic baby lotion at home. This will save you money and help you customize the ingredients according to your baby’s skin type and requirements.
How To Make Organic Baby Lotion At Home?
The ingredients required for making organic baby lotion are as follows:
3 tablespoons of jojoba oil (organic) - use this oil to nourish the skin and reduce irritation or redness caused by diaper rash or eczema.
It is also good for healing dry patches on your baby’s body. It does not cause any allergies or irritations because it is hypoallergenic and contains no fragrances or dyes.
You can also use another carrier oil like olive, coconut, or avocado. But it is better to use jojoba as it doesn’t have any side effects like coconut oil which causes breakouts when used on sensitive skin like babies.
Now, Your Baby’s Skin Is In Safe Hands
We hope we have covered all possible queries in this article related to your baby's skincare. If you want to comment to us you are more than welcome. Or if you find anything inadequate related to putting baby lotion on your baby’s skin, then we highly appreciate your concern.
