How to care for the skin of your newborn baby

Your newborn is home now, and you’re settling into a daily routine. 

Babies skin are so delicate and so are their immune systems. While there are several normal newborn skin rashes, chemicals and fragrances in baby skincare products can cause skin irritation, dryness, and rashes.  However, there’s much you can do to protect your baby from these skin problems.

A newborn baby is born with wrinkly skin and a protective covering called vernix that naturally peels off during the first week. There’s no need to rush it, rub it, or treat it with lotions or creams. Vernix caseosa is a greasy, cheese-like coating that covers babies’ skin during their time in the womb. It’s made up of shed skin cells and sebaceous secretions. That might sound a little yucky, but the vernix serves an important function: It protects your baby’s fragile skin from getting pickled by amniotic fluid in utero by forming a barrier between your baby’s skin and the surrounding amniotic fluid.

Its primary role is to protect and hydrate, kind of like a heavy-duty moisturizer.

This soap is inspired by the founder’s background in neonatology, and from years’ of working with babies and parents

How long should you let the vernix stay on your baby’s skin?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends leaving the vernix on your baby for at least six hours, and preferably 24 hours.

According to the International Childbirth Education Association, there is no set time by when you must bath your baby. So do what makes you feel comfortable, and if you’re not sure or feel like you need some guidance, ask your baby’s nurse before discharge.

When should I bath my baby for the first time?

Resist the urge to bath your baby frequently. Too-frequent bathing (more than three times per week) for the first couple of weeks remove the natural oils that protect baby’s skin and may leave baby’s skin vulnerable and dry. It may also aggravate eczema.

Never use scented baby soaps in the early months.  At SoapArt, we designed a natural handmade soap bar for babies. It is pure and gentle with no additives, no colorants, no preservatives and organic wherever possible.

This soap contains olive oil, sweet almond oil, organic coconut oil, castor oil, raw organic shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, almond milk, and oatmeal in different proportions.

Our baby soap is inspired by the founder’s background in neonatology, and from years’ of working with babies and parents.

A truly gentle soap with 100% natural ingredients.  This soap is especially designed for newborn babies, is gently formulated, and ideal for use from birth.