Baby skincare

Over the first month after birth, your baby’s skin will develop and mature, forming its protective barrier. When your baby is over one month old, you can start using skincare products in their bathing routine.

Lots of skincare brands make products specifically for babies, including Oilatum, Aveeno, Childs Farm and Johnson's. Which you choose will depend on what kind of product you’re looking for, as well as your personal preferences and budget.

Whichever you choose, read the description first to ensure it doesn’t contain irritants like alcohol or strong fragrances. And remember, even if a product says it’s suitable for newborns, the NHS advice is still to stick to water in your baby’s first month.

Eczema is a condition that affects the skin, making it dry, red and itchy. It’s common in babies and children. Eczema can cause patches of red or darker, irritated skin that looks paler around their elbows and knees. Eczema in babies may go away as they get older. In the meantime, you can treat their symptoms using emollients and medicated creams. Find out more by reading our eczema in babies article.

Your baby's umbilical cord stump will take about a week to dry and fall off. You should keep it clean and dry during this time. If you notice any bleeding or discharge from the umbilical cord, talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP. This could be a sign of infection.

Spots are common in newborn babies and often disappear by themselves. If new spots are associated with a change in your baby’s behaviour, such as not feeding or being sleepy, talk to your doctor.

Milia are small spots on babies’ faces that appear when they’re a few days old. They may be yellow or white. Milia usually goes away by themselves over several weeks and do not need special treatment.

Baby acne is also known as erythema toxicum. It can appear as red, yellow or white raised spots on the face, body, upper arms and thighs. The rash can come and go. It usually gets better after a few weeks without treatment. Don’t be tempted to pop any of the spots.

About 1 in 4 babies and toddlers who wear nappies have a nappy rash at any one time. Nappy rash can look like red patches or spots, or the whole area can be red.

Nappy rash can be caused when:

Most nappy rashes can be treated at home. If there is anything you’re worried about, you should talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor.

The first months after your baby is born can be a magical time. There are many things to learn about, from sleeping to feeding and looking after your baby’s skin. Babies can get a variety of rashes, such as eczema or nappy rash. Most will go away with simple steps to care for their skin. Your healthcare team and local pharmacist are on-hand to help if you have any concerns.