How Often Should You Put Lotion on a Baby?

Taking good care of your baby’s skin is so important. At their young age, their skin barrier hasn’t fully developed. Because of this, they’re more prone to dryness, redness, and irritation than we are. To help prevent dryness and irritation, parents need to incorporate a good lotion into their baby’s skin care routine.

How often does a baby’s skin need lotion?

As a rule of thumb, apply your little one’s lotion whenever their skin feels like it needs it. Pay close attention to their skin whenever changing them out of a diaper or clothes. If you notice dry or flaky skin, that’s your cue to slather on a nice, thick layer of lotion to those areas.

Plus, your baby will typically need a good layer of lotion after bath time. Since soaking in the tub can draw moisture out of their skin, it’s best to replenish that moisture immediately after their wash. Apply the lotion while their skin is still wet or damp to lock in that extra hydration!

Lastly, your little one needs moisture after every diaper change. Many parents miss this step, since diaper rash can be caused by an excess of moisture in the diaper area. However, applying a good lotion after wiping their bottoms clean will replenish their skin barrier, thus protecting the skin from irritation. Using a 3-in-1 cleanser, moisturizer, and diaper rash cream like NOLEO 3-in-1 will keep their diaper area health and stave off rashes.

What’s the best lotion to use on a baby?

When it comes to choosing the right lotion for your baby, natural is usually better. We recommend sticking to a fragrance-free, gentle moisturizer without any harsh chemicals. It should contain ingredients that help restore their delicate skin barrier and lock in moisture. For example, NOLEO 3-in-1 Diaper Cleanser and Moisturizer contains organic sunflower and olive oil to nourish and replenish their skin barrier. Although NOLEO 3-in-1 is designed to treat and prevent diaper rash, it also works as a lotion, and it’s safe to use on the rest of your baby’s skin!

What are some other ways to keep your baby’s skin moisturized?

While lotion is a super important part of your little one’s skin care routine, you’ll also want to take other measures to prevent their skin from drying out.

For one, if your baby has eczema, try to steer clear of the environmental triggers for their skin. Common triggers include certain detergents, soaps, lotions, and shampoos, especially those with fragrance and harsh chemicals. Some other common triggers vary from allergens (like pet dander) to heat or dry air. Even drool can invite dry, flaky patches to form.

For two, pay attention to the way you’re bathing your baby. If their skin seems dry, irritated, and red after a bath, the water may be too hot. Test the water with the inside of your wrist — it should feel warm to the touch. Also, use gentle motions when you’re cleaning your little one. Abrasive rubbing can weaken their skin barrier and lead to dryness and irritation.

Finally, if you’re doing all the other things right — avoiding triggers, moisturizing frequently, and bathing your little one correctly — but still notice dry skin, the air in your home may be to blame. Dry air in the home slowly sucks moisture out of the skin, no matter what the weather’s like outside. Consider investing in a humidifier to place in your baby’s most frequently visited spaces, like their nursery, your room, or the living room.

Conclusion

One of the big questions that many parents have about their babies is how to take care of their skin. However, a baby’s lotion routine is more intuitive than they think! Moisturizing as often as needed based on the dryness of their skin, after baths, and after diaper changes are the three key ways to keep your little one’s skin hydrated. As long as you use a gentle, fragrance-free lotion, you can essentially apply as much lotion as need be!