Baby Skin
Research suggests that it is safer to bath your baby in plain water for at least the first month of life to protect the delicate immature surface of their skin. Why is this?
One of the most important functions of the skin is to act as a dense waterproof moisture barrier protecting deeper living layers of living skin, minimizing loss of water from the body, (trans epidermal water loss) and the entry of potentially harmful substances such as bacteria, chemical irritants, allergens and sun rays into the body.
Baby skin differs from adult skin, their skin offers less protection.
The thickness and condition of your baby’s skin at birth will of course depend on whether they are premature. But a full term baby has the same number of skin layers as an adult, but they are thinner and more fragile. Their immature skins are more vulnerable to irritation, water loss, infection and dryness. They are less able to regulate changes of temperature, and can absorb substances more easily into their skin.
Early days
When first born babies don’t have the skin protective actions of sweat, sebum and fatty acids or what we know as 'the acid mantle'. The transition to more acidic skin beings shortly after birth and continues to develop slowly over their first month. The acidic build up begins when micro organisms (good bacteria) become established on the skin. This occurs through skin to skin contact, by being handled and by actions within the skin from lactic acid, fatty acids and sweat and very limited amounts of sebum. (Sebum production will remain very, very limited until puberty -when it can bring its on problems by being overprotective!). This acidic environment forms the baby’s protective acid mantle.
Before birth babies skins are covered with a protective greasy, sebum substance called vernix caseosa. In full term babies this isn't always present as the amount decreases as the 'due date' nears. If your baby has any vernix still present it can be rubbed into the skin -it's the best moisturiser they will ever have, and encourages the transition to a more acidic skin surface
First Baths
During this transition time it is important to avoid disturbing the build up of the skin's acidity and beneficial bacteria. To avoid this happening it is recommended that for their first month babies are bathed, washed and have their nappy area cleaned using only plain warm water. This ‘water only’ regime has been practised at the Rosie maternity hospital in Cambridge UK since 1995. Here Midwives, at this busy unit, routinely give babies their first bath using only plain water. This policy is also encouraged by midwives in other areas of the UK. New mothers are advised to continue this ‘water only' regime when they go home.
Why is this important?
In order for the skins protective barrier to function as a defence system, skin needs to retain its slightly acidic levels. The acid mantle helps neutralise and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi and maintains the barrier by keeping the keratin cells tightly bound together.
Harsh soaps and detergents can degrease and break down the acid mantle causing the skin to become more alkaline. The protective layer becomes damaged and the cells can loosen and separate which can lead to cracking and flaking. The skin has lost its barrier function.
Once damaged the skin is more prone to loss of moisture from the body. This is known as (Trans Epidermal Water Loss) which leads to dry skin and can increases the chances of sensitization by allergens and the effects of chemical irritants.It is thought that if babies are exposed to unnecessary chemicals early on in life, they could go on at some point to develop allergies and skin conditions such as eczema. Even though the acid mantle naturally rebuilds, its absence leaves the skin temporarily open to damage.
Caring for baby skin
To help protect their skin during this vulnerable first month means avoiding all baby cleansers, bubble bath, soaps and baby wipes. Cleansing products especially because of their very nature, to clean and remove dirt, can disturb the maturing acid mantle. Many bath and skin care products contain harsh chemicals including ingredients such as sodium laurel sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES). Such ingredients can break down the skin and allow the entry of irritants and allergens.
Until they have reached their one month anniversary it would also be wise to avoid skin care products such as baby lotions and skin creams as any substance coming into contact with their fragile skins can be more easily absorbed. By the time they reach four to six weeks old a baby’s skin barrier will be more stable and skin care products can be gradually introduced, one at a time. But their skin will remain delicate and vulnerable. Seek out gentle products that will be kind to skin with simple, natural ingredients, and few unnecessary additives.
However, newborn baby skin is prone to dryness. Although we don't recommend using lotions or creams in the first month of life, oils such as jojoba, sunflower and olive can help lubricate and protect a baby's skin. Jojoba oil is widely used as a massage oil and closely resembles the sebum found in our skins. It is suitable for massaging newborns and helping to clean the nappy area- see Baby massage and Baby bottoms
Jojoba oil, or olive oil, may also be used to help soften and loosen cradle cap scales. Massage a small amount of jojoba oil gently into the scalp, avoiding any pressure on the fontanelle (soft spot). A soft baby hairbrush can help brush out any scales as they loosen over time and the scalp gently washed.(These greasy and or crusty scales found on the scalp are very common in babies and they do clear up on their own without any treatment.).
At Allison England our baby range includes organic plant ingredients such as, Jojoba , sunflower, apricot, shea butter, evening primrose and Calendula, that have protective, soothing and moisturising effects on little skins. We only use very limited amounts of essential oils, such as Camomile, in all our products for babies and young children.-see Aromatherapy baby products.
After their fourth birthday young children can begin to use the same skin care products as the rest of the family- as long as they are mild and gentle and don’t contain a myriad of chemicals. Their skins will continue to be vulnerable until puberty,especially from the damaging and long term effects of sunlight.
Avoid the use of anti-bacterial soaps as these can remove both the beneficial and unwanted bacteria on the skins. Removing the beneficial bacteria can leave us more vulnerable to the harmful bacteria.
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