My child has sensitive skin

If you notice your child’s skin reacting to certain triggers, it helps to remember that babies’ skin is naturally far more delicate than ours as adults.

A newborn’s skin is thinner, sensitive and vulnerable. In the first weeks they cannot sweat to regulate their body temperature, which makes them more prone to getting cold. Their sweat glands reach full maturity around 7–8 months of age.

More than half of newborns show skin symptoms that are not illnesses as such, but normal reactions of sensitive skin to the new environment. In this article, we focus specifically on these common signs.

You may see blisters or redness that are harmless and clear with simple care. Some children, just like adults, simply have more sensitive skin. This often becomes more noticeable from a few months of age.

Get to know your baby’s skin 

The outer layer of a baby’s skin is thinner than an adult’s, so it is more easily irritated by external factors. Its softness, velvety feel and elasticity are due to its high water content.
Because the sebaceous glands are immature, newborn skin is not oily enough and is more prone to irritation. The initial light colour is due to lack of pigment, which develops over time. Sensitive skin also offers less protection against infections.

What are the most common skin changes we notice in babies 

There are some characteristic symptoms that many expectant parents will already have heard about. The most common baby skin problems tend to be the same, so it is well worth reading about them to recognise them quickly.

My baby’s skin is dry 

A newborn’s skin is often dry for a while. This is temporary and usually resolves within a few days.

Dryness can also appear in infants and older children. They may feel their skin is tight or even itchy. Because their skin barrier is thin, it is essential to keep it properly hydrated with creams or lotions recommended for daily use by your paediatrician. Hydration helps seal the skin’s surface.
Choose products to suit the season. In summer, for example, opt for a lighter texture.

Babies with more sensitive skin are more prone to atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis. The skin feels noticeably rough. It is important to moisturise twice a day. Do not overdo bathing. A short daily dip is enough, as water has a drying effect.
Alongside overall moisturising, your paediatrician can prescribe medicated creams for any areas showing symptoms.

My baby’s skin is peeling

Surface peeling can be seen on the hands, wrists, feet, ankles and even all over the body after birth. The latter is especially typical in babies born after 40 weeks and usually resolves by around 2 weeks of age.

If the peeling seems pronounced, you can treat skin in the folds with cream. Ask your paediatrician which to choose.

Hydration from the inside 

We know dry skin can be helped by adequate fluid intake. The body needs enough fluids. What about children.

In the past, babies were often given sugary tea throughout the day. Sadly this is still common because people feel that is what the child likes. Tea is usually tastier and sweeter than water, so it is natural that a baby quickly gets used to the taste and to the extra carbohydrates. The same is true for fruit juices. Babies do not need these.

The right drink for a child is water. Make this the default so they get used to it. This helps prevent unhealthy eating habits later and protects teeth.

It is good to know that a breastfed baby does not need extra drinks until 6 months. In very hot weather, they can have a sip or two of baby water or previously boiled water. For formula-fed babies, give water after feeds until 6 months of age.

When you start complementary feeding, offer water after meals.

Newborn rashes 

Tiny white or yellow-headed spots can appear after birth due to immature sweat glands. They usually resolve by 2–3 months of age. They are harmless, not itchy and not painful. If you avoid touching them unnecessarily, they will disappear without infection.

Heat rash 

If you notice small, fluid-filled blisters on your baby’s face or body, particularly in areas that are harder to ventilate, it may be heat rash. These symptoms are very common, especially in summer, so we previously dedicated a full article to the topic. Have a read.

My baby’s skin looks marbled 

Marbled or mottled skin most often suggests a newborn or infant is cold. As their fat layer is still thin, even a warmer room may be on the cool side for them. You can also see a similar pattern at the start of a fever. If you have ruled that out, dress your baby a little more warmly.
If marbling comes with unusual symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat and breathing or seeming unwell, seek medical help immediately.

Nappy rash on my baby’s bottom 

A baby’s thin, more vulnerable skin can become spotty and inflamed inside a warm, moist, soiled nappy. At first you might see tiny dots. Within hours these can merge into larger patches that are painful.

Nappy rash is common and needs proper attention and treatment at home or from a doctor. We covered it in detail in our previous article.

Cradle cap, brownish layer on the scalp

Cradle cap, also called seborrhoea capitis, appears mainly on the scalps of infants as yellowish brown, greasy, scale like build-up. Milder patches can also appear behind the ears and on the eyebrows.

Cradle cap does not arise from poor hygiene, even if that is your first thought. It is caused by increased sebum production on the scalp. When skin cells die, they combine with the sebum into layered, plate like deposits that need careful removal, for example with baby oil, as picking them off can cause sores.

If the scalp looks red or swollen, smells unpleasant or seems itchy, see your paediatrician.

Choose cosmetics made from natural ingredients

We are increasingly conscious about choosing products with natural ingredients. This protects our own and our children’s health and helps us live more sustainably.

Take extra care to use natural ingredients for baby skincare to avoid synthetic chemicals entering their system. There is no need for fragrances or colourants. Natural cosmetics support the skin’s protective barrier.

A baby’s skin is always more sensitive than an adult’s, so we must bear this in mind when bathing, caring for and even dressing them. Skin can show symptoms very quickly and, if we miss the early signs, things can worsen rapidly. Think of painful nappy rash.

So during nappy changes, bath time and dressing, always check your baby’s body so you can spot the first signs of any changes.


Written by Mónika Veres

Sources:

NHS — Rashes in babies and children.

NHS — Cradle cap