What should routine skin care involve?
Parents should be aware that there is no one way of caring for your baby's skin. Many of the skin care recommendations rely on common-sense regimen. There is some science behind recommendations, and then there's a lot of personal preference. For example, a baby—a newborn, in particular—may not need a bath every day, and therefore it's not necessary to give one. Obviously you're cleansing the diaper area, which gets dirty on a regular basis. There may be times, for example, during the winter in colder climates, when a baby's skin becomes dry and a moisturizer might be useful. It may be applied after bathing and at other times during the day, if needed.
Baby powders are often used, but they are not routinely needed. Some people apply them in areas where there's moisture, like in the diaper area or in the folds of the neck. The difficulty with powders is that they can be inhaled. Generally doctors recommend that parents stay away from them if they can. If you're going to use power, choose one that contains cornstarch not talcum power. Dispense a small amount on your hand, well away from the baby, and then just gently rub that on the area of skin you wish to treat.
In general, it's wise to choose products that are designed for infants, which often do not contain alcohol or fragrances that may be irritating to the infant's skin.
What is cradle cap?
Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic dermatitis that causes flaking or scaling of the skin. It most commonly appears on the scalp. It can be mild or it can be fairly widespread. Seborrheic dermatitis is a self-limited condition, so by the time a baby gets to be 8 or 9 months of age, typically, it's quieting down.
