This blog post is for educational purposes only and reflects my personal opinions, including insights on the benefits of my Mama & Baby Salve. While I am a midwife, I encourage you to consult your healthcare provider or pediatrician for personalized newborn care and skincare recommendations.
Bringing your newborn home is a moment filled with joy and wonder, but it also comes with the important task of caring for their delicate skin. After spending months in an aquatic environment in the womb, your baby’s skin must adapt to the dry world, where it’s exposed to new allergens, fragrances, and environmental factors for the first time. Creating a gentle skincare routine with organic, natural products helps protect their sensitive skin during this transition, avoiding harmful chemicals and ensuring the safest, most soothing care possible.
Here are some tips for creating a gentle, organic skincare routine for your newborn:
1. Choose Products with Simple, Natural Ingredients
When shopping for baby products - including soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, detergents, etc. - always read the labels. Look for products with short ingredient lists featuring items you can recognize and pronounce. The goal is to avoid harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and dyes, which can irritate your baby’s skin. Instead, opt for products labeled organic, hypoallergenic, and free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
2. Skip the Daily Bathing
While it’s tempting to bathe your baby daily, newborns don’t need a full bath every day. Overbathing can strip their skin of natural oils, leading to dryness. Instead, aim for two to three baths per week and focus on gently cleaning their diaper area, face, and hands with a damp, soft washcloth in between baths.
When bathing, use a mild, organic baby wash and lukewarm water. Pat their skin dry with a soft towel and immediately follow with a natural moisturizer to lock in hydration.
3. Moisturize with Care
Newborn skin is prone to dryness, so applying a gentle moisturizer after a bath or as needed can help keep it soft and hydrated.
When choosing a moisturizer for your newborn, it’s helpful to understand the different types and their uses.
- Lotions are water-based, lightweight, and quickly absorbed, making them great for everyday hydration on normal skin.
- Butters, like shea or cocoa butter, are thicker and deeply nourishing, ideal for very dry or flaky areas.
- Oils, such as coconut or calendula oil, provide a natural, breathable layer of hydration and are perfect for gentle massages or locking in moisture after a bath.
- Balms are solid, concentrated formulations that melt into the skin, offering a protective barrier for areas prone to dryness or irritation, like cheeks or elbows.
- Salves, often infused with healing herbs, are versatile and soothing, making them excellent for treating diaper rash, minor skin irritations, or dry patches.
- Creams strike a balance between water and oil content, offering rich hydration without feeling overly heavy, and are great for daily use on sensitive or dry skin.
Each type serves a unique purpose, allowing you to customize your baby’s skincare routine based on their specific needs. When trying a new moisturizer, be sure to do a "patch test" first, only using a small amount of the product on a small area of baby's body.
4. Treat and Prevent Diaper Rash Naturally
Diaper rash is a common issue for newborns. To prevent it, keep your baby’s bottom clean and dry, changing diapers frequently. If a rash does occur, apply an organic, zinc oxide-based cream or a healing balm like my Mama & Baby Salve, which provides a protective barrier while soothing inflammation naturally.
5. Avoid Overloading on Products
Newborn skin is naturally beautiful and doesn’t need a lot of products. Resist the urge to overdo it; a simple routine is the safest approach. Stick to a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and a multi-purpose balm for minor irritations or dry spots.
6. Protect Skin from Environmental Stressors
Sensitive newborn skin can be prone to irritation from external factors like cold weather or sun exposure. In cooler months, dress your baby in soft, breathable layers to prevent chapping. In warmer months, keep them shaded to avoid sunburn, as sunscreen isn’t recommended for babies under six months.
Why Organic Matters
Choosing organic, natural products isn’t just about avoiding harmful chemicals—it’s also about providing your baby with the purest, gentlest care possible. Their skin absorbs more than ours, making it especially important to avoid synthetic additives that could enter their developing systems.
At Careha + Co., I’ve crafted products with your family’s wellness in mind, using only organic ingredients that are safe for both mom and baby. My Mama & Baby Salve is a staple for countless families looking for a gentle, versatile skincare solution for their little ones.
By keeping it simple, using safe, organic products, and being mindful of your baby’s unique skin needs, you’ll create a routine that keeps their skin healthy, soft, and irritation-free.
Visit Careha + Co. to shop my organic, handmade skincare products for moms and babies. Your baby’s skin deserves the very best, and I’m here to help you provide it.
With love,
Carley