Newborn babies often exhibit dry skin shortly after emerging from the womb. They may experience flaking, peeling or red patches as a result of skin dryness. Most of the time, these symptoms will be perfectly normal, but occasionally they could be a sign that your baby has a skin condition. Either way, dry skin in newborns is common and easily treatable, so parents shouldn't worry too much if they notice it in their newborn.
Cause
Dry skin in babies occurs because the skin is still immature. After nine months immersed in amniotic fluid, a newborn's skin needs time to adjust to the outside world. The outer layers, when exposed to dry air, dry out and start to peel and flake. Because the infant's sweat glands are not yet fully functional, the baby doesn't regulate his own skin moisture very well yet.
Types
Dry skin in an infant is normal, but there are some instances of dryness that parents might need to pay more attention to. Light peeling or flaking of a newborn's skin is usually just the outer layers sloughing off due to air exposure after that long bath in amniotic fluid. Dry patches that flake and become red can be a sign of something more serious, however. It could be eczema, cradle cap or ichthyosis, a genetic disease with symptoms that include dry skin.
Environment
The environment can affect a baby's skin, causing dry skin or making already dry skin worse. In winter, cold and dry air outside and heated indoor air can pull moisture away from a baby's skin. The summer sun can have the same effect, along with other environmental things like chlorine or salt water.
Treatment
Dry skin in babies can be treated with moisturizing creams or lotions designed for infants. Generally, thicker creams work better than thinner varieties, so if a particular lotion doesn't seem to help, you might try a thicker kind. If the problem is something like eczema or cradle cap, your baby's pediatrician can prescribe a cream or ointment to help.
Prevention
To prevent dry skin in babies, refrain from washing them too often. A newborn only needs a bath once or twice a week. Since soap can dry out skin, more frequent baths make dry skin more likely. Also, make sure you are using a soap and shampoo especially formulated for babies, since these are gentler and less drying than adult products. You should also cover up his skin whenever he will be outdoors and exposed to sun, wind or cold.
