A baby’s skin is  thin and sensitive and prone to dryness. During the winter season, the indoor heating and cold dry air outdoors can rob the baby’s skin of it’s natural moisture. During the summer, the sunlight, air-conditioned and chlorine added to pool water can all dry the baby’s skin.
 

These steps can help you deal with your baby’s dry skin

 
Bathe your baby less frequently. Bathing removes the skin natural oil. You can bath your baby daily or a few days during the week  but you need to take these precautions

• cut down bath time to about 10 minutes
• use warm water instead of hot water
• don’t use soap and shampoo unless it is absolutely necessary. When using soap , use fragrance free soap cleanser which is much milder than regular soap.

 
Apply a moisturizer to your baby’s skin daily. It is essential to use moisturizer within minutes after bathing and patting the baby dry. This will lock moisture into the baby’s skin. If your baby has dry skin, try using a cream or ointment instead of lotion. It is also better to apply lotion to the baby’s skin 2 to 4 times everyday.

Run a humidifier if the air in your home is dry. This will add moisture to the air and reduce problems with dry skin.

Keep the child well hydrated. If your  child is still a baby, it is better to stick to breast milk and formula for the first 6 months. However you should note that even if you give the child enough to drink, you still need to moisturize the skin.

Your laundry detergent could be causing your baby’s dry skin. Use laundry detergent specifically made for babies. Harsh detergents can cause irritation and dry skin.

Dress baby in fabrics such as cotton. Natural fabrics cause less irritation and allow air circulation.

Protect your child from harsh weather by letting them wear mittens and hats . You should also take steps to protect your child from sunburns during the summer time.

NOTE
Do not use adult lotion and soap for babies. Dry skin could also be  a sign of skin conditions such as eczema. If dry skin gets worse, you may want to seek the help of your pediatrician.
 
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