During the first few weeks of life, an infant's skin flakes. This process is natural and requires no treatment beyond ordinary bathing. Once these flakes clear, the most effective way to deal with problems that may cause peeling is prevention. Basic skin care can eliminate dryness and speed up healing. You may also need to treat skin conditions that are common in infants such as cradle cap. If the skin is bleeding or shows signs of infection, contact your pediatrician for evaluation.
Step 1
Bathe your baby in tepid water. Avoid using bath water that is too hot or cold. Keep the bath time to 10 minutes or less to avoid further drying the skin. Use a mild soap for babies and a soft cloth.
Step 2
Apply a moisturizing lotion to your baby's skin after the bath. Pat your baby dry with a clean towel. Cover her skin thoroughly with the moisturizer.
Step 3
Massage your baby's scalp with your fingers if the skin is scaly. Rub petroleum jelly on the affected scalp 5 minutes before shampooing to loosen the dry areas.
Tips and Warnings
- It is not necessary to bath a baby with dry skin daily. Switch to every other day if the skin is flaking or peeling.
- Skin that cracks, oozes or bleeds may be eczema. This is a chronic allergic condition that may require medical treatment. Do not force flaking skin off. This may tear the surface and lead to infection.
Things You'll Need
- Infant body wash
- Soft wash cloth
- Infant moisturizer
- Petroleum jelly
- Baby shampoo
