Care and Hygiene

Skin Care for Newborns and Infants

For newborns and infants, skin care is centered around maintaining skin integrity, preventing dryness, and avoiding irritation. The skin of newborns continues to develop after birth, and it’s more permeable and prone to dryness and irritation compared to adult skin^[4].

Evidence-based Practices:

• Bathing: The World Health Organization recommends delaying the first bath for at least 24 hours post-birth to preserve the vernix caseosa, which plays a crucial role in skin protection and hydration^[2]. For ongoing care, bathing in plain water without the use of harsh soaps is advised for the first month^[2]. The frequency of baths should be minimal, as over-bathing can strip the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness.
• Moisturizing: The use of emollients or moisturizers is practiced in some regions to maintain skin hydration. However, the choice of product is crucial, with a preference for those without known skin irritants^[2]. The application of moisturizers can support the skin barrier function, but it’s essential to choose products formulated for sensitive infant skin.

Oral Hygiene for Newborns and Infants

Oral hygiene practices for newborns and infants aim to establish a healthy oral environment, prevent early childhood caries, and promote healthy oral development.

Evidence-based Practices:

• Before Teething: Cleaning the gums with a soft, damp cloth can help remove bacteria and is a recommended practice before the eruption of the first tooth^[16].
• After Teething Begins: The American Dental Association suggests brushing baby teeth as soon as they appear, using a fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or grain of rice^[17]. This practice should be done twice daily to prevent plaque buildup and cavities.

Conclusion

The focus is on using minimal, gentle interventions to maintain skin integrity and oral health. Practices such as delaying the first bath, using plain water for bathing, selecting appropriate moisturizers, and initiating early oral hygiene practices with suitable products are all evidence-based strategies that support the health and well-being of newborns and infants. It’s essential for caregivers to follow current guidelines and recommendations from healthcare professionals to ensure the best care practices are applied.

Citations:
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613817303546
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9661877/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4113846/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8880311/
[5] https://karger.com/spp/article/36/2/51/832787/Skin-Care-in-Neonates-and-Infants-A-Scoping-Review
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31584031/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8453578/
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6617372/
[9] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ipd.12658
[10] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878929317300828
[11] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/147470490700500110
[12] https://journals.lww.com/jped/fulltext/2019/37030/comparing_the_effect_of_dry_and_wet_brushing_on.13.aspx
[13] https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/11/7/6808
[14] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002065392100037X
[15] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336234210_Comparing_the_effect_of_dry_and_wet_brushing_on_dental_plaque_removal_in_children
[16] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/toothbrushing-children
[17] https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/toothbrushes
[18] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355333075_Just_water_for_cleaning_baby_A_cross-sectional_survey_of_the_newborn_skin_cleansing_practices_of_parents_in_the_UK
[19] https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Brush-Book-Bed.aspx
[20] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/idh.12358