Babies' skin

<How do you treat dry skin on a baby?>

A baby’s skin is frequently in a dry condition as the production of sebum falls abruptly a few weeks after birth and only rises again at puberty.

When the baby’s skin is especially dry, a few simple rules should be followed:

• Don’t put your baby in woollen or synthetic fabrics next to the skin.

• Wash soft toys very often.

• Avoid rugs and fitted carpets.

• Give the baby a bath every day, making sure that the water temperature is always less than 33 degrees as heat aggravates the dryness of the skin.

• Dry by dabbing gently.

• Make sure that the atmosphere in which the baby lives is not too dry and that the ambient temperature does not exceed 19 or 20 degrees.

• Apply a cold cream or a very high tolerance moisturising cream immediately after the bath to enhance its effect. Repeat the application regularly.