Welcome to my blog! Your newborn's skin is interesting. Here are some things you might like to know.
Amniotic Fluid
When your baby is in the womb, the skin is in constant contact with amniotic fluid which is mostly composed of water. Mother Nature provides this fluid layer to act as a cushion to protect your growing baby from injury, to help develop your baby's lungs, and to provide the space and means for your growing baby to move easily. Being able to move is important because movement helps to promote your baby's muscle and bone development.
Vernix
Mother Nature also provides a protection for your baby's skin while living in this fluid environment. That protection is a cheesy-like substance known as vernix. You will see various amount of vernix on your newborn's skin, from a little to a lot, depending on when your baby is born. Some of the vernix will be wiped off during rubbing and drying, the methods most commonly used to stimulate your newborn to breathe at delivery. Most of the vernix will stay on your baby's skin and will disappear on its own.
Peeling Skin
As your baby matures over the first few days to weeks you may notice the skin peeling on your baby lips, hands, and feet. If your baby is born after your due date, your baby may have peeling skin at birth. The skin after peeling will be soft and smooth. This process is normal as part of the transition from the fluid environment of the womb to the air environment outside the womb. No lotions or creams should be used on your baby during this time as they will interfere with this natural shedding of the top layer of skin. Soon all of the peeling skin will be gone and your newborn's skin will be soft and smooth.
Lanugo
If your baby is born early you may see a fine downy layer of hair on the ears, the temples, the forehead, and the back. This abundance of hair is known as lanugo. Lanugo begins to fall out while your baby is still in the womb, and it will continue to disappear on its own after your baby is born.
Milia
It is very common for your newborn's skin to develop little white spots that are known as milia. These tiny spots are usually found on the nose and face. Milia are formed by dead skin cells that do not slough off (due to a still developing oil gland system) and the cells get trapped in tiny pockets in the skin. These tiny white spots are harmless and will go away on their own within a few weeks.
Baby Acne
Baby acne is another possibility for your newborn's skin experience. Small pink to red spots may appear in patches or alone, usually on your baby's cheeks, chin, and forehead. The rash is thought to be caused by the hormones your baby is exposed to in the last trimester of your pregnancy. Baby acne may last for a few months. The best treatment is none at all. Just continue your usual face washing routine, using warm water only, and your baby's skin should clear up on its own.
Picture Perfect
So you see, your newborn's skin holds a lot of different possibilities and may be very different than picture perfect. All of these skin condiitons are normal, and come and go on their own. With or without vernix, peeling skin, lanugo, milia, or baby acne, your newborns skin is perfect. Embrace all of these events as a natural part of the adventure of being a newborn.
For you and yours,
D. Fravert, RN
www.newbornbabymanual.com
