Baby Lotion for Newborns?

It's probably because of the alcohol in commercial lotions. Try almond oil. You can get it at the health food store. Good luck!

I have seven children and used baby lotion on all of them. I had two that had eczema but it was not due to lotions and they grew out of it by the time they were two. It is ridiculous to not put lotion on them. I believe it is perfectly safe. I have a 17-year-old all the way to a 7-month-old and none of them have suffered in any way. Hope this helps.

We use Aveeno lotion and have since pretty early on. I'd use sparingly and watch for any reaction but unless there's an allergy, it should be fine.

I have to pipe in here about the use of baby oil though. After reading about those kids who died after breathing small amounts into their lungs, I didn't want it in the house, much less on my baby.

Please do some research before you decide to use baby oil at all. Here's a link to get you started: http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/babyoil.asp

I have never heard of anything so silly! I have used lotion on both of my kids and they are almost 4 and 2 and neither one of them have dry skin. If is a concern, ask your doctor. Good Luck.

As far as regular lotion goes, I have never heard not to use it on a newborn. As for the sunblock, yes it is best to keep newborns out of the sun as much as possible. However, sometimes that is not possible. Our doctor told us we could use sunblock on our babies as long as we washed it off as soon as we came back inside. I think a sunburn would do much more damage to a babies skin then sunblock.

Sounds like a silly "old wives tale" to me. As long as you aren't over doing it, I don't see why it would hurt...

Your pediatrician will be able to give you great guidelines, but I was just told by mine that lotion is okay - look out for skin reactions, or use an all natural lotion. Sunscreen is a MUST if the baby is to be outside - just make sure to wash it off when you return indoors and try to keep the baby in the shade as much as possible. This is different advice from when my oldest (a May baby) was born four years ago - we were told NO sunscreen until 6 months of age. As with everything - things change :) Good luck with your baby!

I think the skin type a baby will end up with (sensitive, dry, oily, whatever) is probably determined more by genetics that caused by using lotions as an infant.: )

That said, babies don't need a lot of bathing; too much and with so-called-baby-bath and they will get dry skin (though it certainly isn't permanent). One of my all purpose favs for babies and kids is Aquaphor. I think it is more or less glorified Vaseline but it works wonders especially when the weather turns cold and dry.

I wouldn't worry about the dry skin for life. A common mistake is to bathe the baby daily, which can dry out their delicate skin. We bathe our guy twice a week -- it's not like he's out running around or getting dirty, so it's frequent enough. We've only lotioned him up if we see dry skin (which is rare), and otherwise just leave it alone.

Do use sunscreen. Skin cancer is highly correlated with the sun exposure people get when very young.

Young babies need to stay out of the sun, so there's really no need for sun block yet. Some docs say wait until 6 months others say wait until a year. Either way, you won't need any until next summer. As for the lotion, I've never heard of that. We never used it with our first daughter on a regular basis. When she needed something for dry skin, we used Eucerin calming cream. I was told that "lotions" have more alcohol in them which makes them evaporate from the skin faster and doesn't allow them much time to soak in. "Creams" apparently have less alcohol in them which allows them more time to soak in. I really like the Eucerin cream and I use it for myself as well. Congratulations on your first. Enjoy every minute of it!

you are OK to use lotions. Please make sure you use the mild kinds (like Baby Johnsons or any other baby brand of lotions). Do NOT use the lotions that you use (like from Bath and Body) Those are not good for babies. Plus newborns should not be bathed every day. You only need to bath them every 2 or 3 days. After their bath use the lotion. My baby girl is almost 5.5 months and she is fine. I used Johnson and Johnson bedtime (in the purple bottle) kind. It "Says" it helps them sleep better.
I think your friend is getting a couple of things confused. you CAN dry out their skin if you bath them too much OR using a NON baby lotion....
On Sunblock, you MUST ask your doctor. I have not put any on my baby yet because I am waiting til my next doctor visit
good luck your little one!! :):) They are a blast
P.S. watch out for Cradle cap. Thats when they get dry scalp. I was fine but I only washed her hair once a week (she didnt and still doesnt have much hair)

I dont know exactly what your friend was referring to, but my daughters pediatrician did tell me not to put lotion or baby powder on my daughter. I know the reasoning for the lotion, was because they have such sensitive skin and can be allergic. I know when my daughter was a few weeks old and her skin started peeling (completely normal by the way) I did use Aquafor on her trouble spots. I know the baby powder can get into their lungs. The SPF block I still havent used, I'd assume is necessary IF your baby is out in the sun...but I wouldn't have a baby outside much the first summer, they can't sweat yet and can get overheated way too easy, plus have you ever drank milk and sat outside? It doesn't settle too well, and considering that's all a newborn will be drinking. Mine will be a year this month, and her extent last summer was to the car and back to the house as for being exposed to sun. Hope this helps.

Congratulations on your soon to be new born! I would make sure that whatever lotion you choose is hypoallergenic. My youngest has eczema and J&J made him break out big time as an infant. I use Aveeno lotions now, and though they don't have that wonderful newborn smell like J&J, my kids' skin is wonderfully soft and it helps with the eczema, too. As far as the sunblock, check with your pediatrician. I don't think you're supposed to use it before they're 1 year old. Good luck!

Using lotion on a newborn is fine. I had to use lotion on my little ones because they have eczema, a dry skin condition related to allergies. Many of the baby lotions are not good for young children and can cause allergic reactions. Newborn skin is very sensitive to chemicals in their environment.

I suggest using a lotion for sensitive skin such as Aveeno. Look for items without mineral oil or fragrances. Look for items with natural moisturizers such as shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba, oatmeal.

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/children/newborn_skin.htm

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WS/29010/29735/33679...

Ok, I'm sure there are a lot of different opinions on this one. I personally have not heard anything bad about it. I put lotion on my son after his bath. It's part of the bath/bed ritual. Give him a bath, rub him down with lotion, and put his pj's on. Then we cuddle with a bottle and he goes to sleep. I've always done that. And he has no skin problems at all. We don't do it every night because I'm pretty sure that would be overkill. On the nights we don't do bath night, I simply wash him up real quick with a presoaped washcloth, rinse him off with a regular damp washcloth, dry him off and put him in his pj's. But again, I have used lotion and sunblock too without a problem. There's no way I would have let him be out in the sun last summer without sunblock. I burn very easily and don't want to find out yet if he does. He's 13 months old now and very healthy and happy. Relax a little. I'm sure your friend means well but I have never heard such a thing from any doctor (or anyone else for that matter). My nieces and nephews have all used lotion and sunblock. Not one of them have dry skin now. And they range in age from 22 to 4. Good luck with your bundle of joy! Try to relax and enjoy him/her. :-)

I used Johnson & Johnson lotion on both my kids (one is 8 yrs and the other is 7 mon). The only thing their doctor ever said was not to put it on their hands so it wouldn't get in their mouth. They both have very soft skin now. Also, they are both very fair skinned (thanks to their momma, lol!) and I use Waterbabies SPF70 on both of them.

I definitely used lotion on my son- now 19 mos & perfectly healthy skin. He was born in October so many of his early months were freezing cold & dry. I had to slather that little puppy up. And I love the smell of the Johnson & Johnson lotion. You can always use more herbal blends with tea tree oil & what not. He had lots of dandruff & I used baby oil to help with that, which worked wonders.

The hospital actually put lotion on my daughter for us. There's nothing wrong with it! You can also use baby oil, but not a lot..it can get really greasy. I wouldn't put it on the babies hands, especially if they are a chewer, but slap it on everywhere else! :) I don't know about SPF though. I know most of the bottles say 6 months. I think we used it on our daughter at 4 months. I would think, for a newborn, that big hats and SPF clothing and shade would be the best. Ask your docs though, they would know best. Take a list of questions with you to the hossy. It's the best way to remember all that stuff! :) (Just don't do like I did and lose the list!HA!)

Dear J.:
I will say this and then no more about what your friend told you. My mother used baby lotion on me and my brother. Neither of us suffers from dry skin unless it is seasonal, like too much sun etc., or bathing in water that is extremely hot (which I like to do) and I am 57 he is 48. I used baby lotion on both of my children. Neither one of them suffers from dry skin generally. My daughter is 30 and my son is 28. I used baby lotion on my grandson and he does not have dry skin and he is 11. In fact we are starting into the acne period of life.
It amazes me the things people tell each other, like drinking coffee will harm children. If that was the case none of the adults in their 50's and above would have a single functioning brain cell. Taking medicine when you are pregnant will cause damage to the fetus. Well, if you have pnuemonia and don't take medication I can promise you you will harm the fetus as well. A mom who isn't breathing can't produce a live baby, can they?

That is one of the more ridiculous things I've ever heard. I used baby lotion on my son until he was about a year old and still do from time to time (just because he doesn't need it much) and his skin is beautiful. And don't use sun block on them until they're a year old. Until them just hide them in the shade when outside. God luck!!

I used J & J or Aveeno baby on my son from the start with no problems. I would suggest being extra watchful to see if there is a reaction or not.
Sunscreen should not be used until 6 months, but our ped said that using it is better than him getting a sunburn, so if you must, you must. However since your little one will be so little in the summer, I would just keep them out of the sun. They make great protective tents that you can take outside or to the pool, beach etc.
Of course ask your ped, but they also do your own research if you think what they say seems off.

Don't use anything at 1st, keep it ALL natural or use a bit of baby oil. Really let baby acclimate. AND by all means run EVERYTHING by your Pediatrican!

J.,
You've rec'd a lot of responses, but I didn't see anything about being cautious of ingredients in lotion. You can use lotion on your baby, it won't hurt. Honestly, if the skin isn't dry though, I wouldn't use it. However, if you do use lotion, I would encourage something like Avalon organics baby line or Burt's Bees has a nice baby lotion that I use. These lotions don't contain some of the chemicals that are in other baby lotions (yes, its hard to believe some of the junk in them), and unfortunately, the traditional J&J baby lotion which smells so nice is loaded with things you can't pronounce. Anything applied to our skin is soaked into our bodies. I'm not super freaky about organics and chemicals, etc. but to eliminate when we can exposure to chemicals, especially to a newborn babe, its worth it and seems to be a no brainer. Regarding the sun block, again I would try to use a mineral-based one which has significantly less chemicals. California Baby (BabiesRUs carries) or Jason's Sunbrellas are good ideas. A little more expensive, but worth it I think. But, I don't think you are supposed to use them for the 1st 6 months, but sometimes there are those circumstances where you might have to use it anyways versus getting your baby sunburned.

Ok that has to be the weirdist thing I ever heard! Of course you can use lotion on your newborn. After bath is a good time. Just avoid heavily perfumed ones. Aveeno and johnsons are my favorites. My boys all use lotion and their skin is perfectly normal. Besides, that baby lotion smell brings back memories and feelings you never want to forget.

I have always heard not to use sunblock until they are 6 mos. old. It says it on the sunscreen bottle. But talk to your peds and see what they say. I was told to keep him out of the sun, but that was 6 years ago.
R.

We were told the same thing in our prenatal classes. They said that the baby's skin produces enough oils so you shouldn't need lotions. There were some times that we ended up going ahead and using some if his skin seemed dry, but for the most part we refrained.
Isn't it so confusing when you hear so many differing opinions!?!?

i think they say no lotion not b/c of dry skin but b/c of allergies. You are supposed to use olive oil. I started using the lotion after about 2 months. As for the SPF my MD told me not to use it before the age of 1.