Newborn babies have a limited ability to regulate their own body temperature. They are unable to shiver and only have mature sweat glands in their head, neck, hands and feet. You may notice that your baby's head becomes quite sweaty at times, particularly when feeding on the breast or bottle. You may also notice this when you pick them up after asleep. The sheet they have been lying on may feel damp (or even quite wet in the warmer months). This is very normal, and may last until your baby is about 2 to 4 years of age (or into adulthood if your family tends to sweat a lot).
Dry skin
Nearly all newborn babies will have a degree of dry skin in the early weeks after the birth. This can range from being confined to small patches of peeling, dry and flaky skin, to looking like they are going to shed their entire body covering! Peeling skin is a physical adjustment that the baby makes after they are born. Their environment changes dramatically from being covered with
vernix cream and floating in amniotic fluid for 9 months, to being in contact with air and the 'outside world'. It is very common for the baby to have peeling skin on their hands, feet and groin area (particularly if they were overdue, or past 41 weeks).
Babies are usually not concerned by their dry skin. However, if you wish to moisturise your baby's skin, you should use something that is perfume and alcohol free, such as plain Sorbelene and glycerine cream.
birthTIPS
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Avoid rubbing your baby's skin vigorously after bathing. Use a patting action instead. |
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Avoid using soaps and bubbly baby bath solutions, as they can dry their skin out further. It may be better to bathe your baby in plain, warm water or use Sorbelene and glycerine cream, in place of soap. You may wish to read bathing your baby. |