How to Soothe Baby's Dry Winter Skin

During the winter months, your baby's skin may become chapped. It may be dry and flaky. It may even itch. Sometimes the skin will appear slightly reddened. To ease baby's discomfort, try the following tips.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Humidifier

1. Try bathing your baby less frequently. Make the bath water a little cooler. Make sure to use warm water and not hot. The hotter a bath is the more drying it can be to the skin. Babies rarely need a complete bath everyday. See if baby can make due with quick sponge baths in between his complete tub baths.

2. Use soap sparingly. Soap can be very harsh and drying, even to adults. Look for soaps and body washes especially formulated for babies sensitive skin. There are quite a few all natural, perfume free soaps available.

3. After baths, pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it. Apply a moisturizer to the skin. This will help keep dry and chapped areas from becoming inflamed.

Tips & Warnings

• For very dry climates, use humidifiers in various rooms of the house.
• Use cool-mist humidifiers in rooms with very dry air.
• Call the pediatrician if your baby has severely chapped skin or home care is not relieving symptoms.