Caring for the skin of your African-American infant can seem daunting. Your black baby's skin easily dries out and turns dull and flaky. Appropriate African-American infant skin care doesn't need to be difficult or expensive; with proper cleansing, moisturizing and treatment, your baby's skin can seem to glow.
Cleansing
According to BabyCenter, too much time in a soapy bathtub will dry out your African-American baby's skin. A bath once or twice a week is most appropriate, with a daily wipe with a damp washcloth sufficient on non-bath days. Always use a soft washcloth, not a bath puff or more abrasive pad. A gentle cleanser should be all the soap your baby needs; bubble bath isn't appropriate for an infant.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing is the key step in caring for your baby. Choosing the right moisturizer will make all the difference to your baby's skin. Nicole M. Hewitt, a licensed social worker in Pennsylvania who helps teach new parents how to care for their African-American babies, recommends that you avoid moisturizers with alcohol and perfume, as they will dry your baby's skin. Moisturizers with ceramides are especially good for hydrating your baby's skin. In addition, make sure you moisturize your baby's skin within a few minutes of getting her out of the bath so that you lock in the water from the bath.
Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition for African-American babies. It typically looks like gray or ashy dry, flaking skin; it may ooze as well. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, atopic dermatitis, more commonly referred to as eczema, usually first appears before the age of 5. If your baby develops eczema, you should treat it with an intense protective moisturizer cream; if your baby's eczema seems to bother him or the skin cracks, consult with your medical provider.
Skin Anomalies
Sometimes, African-American infants have small anomalies that concern parents. BabyCenter states that little fluid-filled bumps on your baby's chest may be the completely benign condition called transient neonatal pustular melanosis; the bumps burst within 24 to 48 hours and leave a small brown spot that disappears in two to three months. African-American babies also often have Mongolian spots, a dark spot on the baby's bottom or back. These are again completely normal and benign; many disappear by the time your baby is 3 or 4 years old.
Sunscreen
A common misconception is that African-Americans can't get sunburned. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, black men have the lowest survival rate for malignant melanomas. Protect your baby with sunscreen on a daily basis. Make sure the sunscreen is formulated for their infant skin, and check that you avoid the same ingredients as you do in a moisturizer.
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