Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Baby's Skin, Deborah Weatherspoon, Debra Henline Sullivan

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

A neonate's skin serves many important roles, is fragile, and requires special care. The childbirth educator may be called on to give sound, evidence based advice to caregivers who have concerns about their baby's skin. This article reviews the basics in newborn skin care with qualified recommendations on skin imperfections. Neonatal skin alterations are reviewed and include erythema toxicum neonatorum, milia, sebaceous glands, baby acne, and cradle cap. Babies are also affected by too much moisture which can result in drool rashes, heat rashes, and diaper rashes. These rashes are common and treatable with proficient guidance. Other skin concerns are …