Your baby’s skin in the first year

A baby’s skin is up to five times thinner than an adult’s, and it is still learning to hold on to its moisture. That is why it reacts to so much, and why it needs so little.

Less is more

Two or three baths a week are enough. A fragrance-free wash and a simple cream are all most babies need. Every extra product is one more thing their skin has to get used to.

Dry patches

Common on cheeks, legs and in the folds. A rich, fragrance-free cream applied twice a day usually clears them within a week.

When to call your doctor

Patches that weep, bleed or keep your baby awake, or a rash with a fever, always deserve a visit.