Delicate, soft, but also sensitive: Baby skin is very special and therefore requires special care. Especially in the first few months, parents want to do everything right and seek advice from friends, in magazines, or online. Uncertainty quickly sets in as to which tips are best, right, or wrong. After all, every baby is different. Is it okay to powder baby skin? Should only oils be used as bath additives? What is the right skincare routine? Bübchen, together with Dr. Thomas Stiehm, reveals how much truth there is in the baby skin myths.
Washing with a cloth is better for baby skin than bathing, is that right?
No matter how soft and fluffy a washcloth may be, it's definitely better to bathe your baby in the tub. Rubbing your baby with a cloth can quickly dry out delicate baby skin. It's better to bathe your baby in lukewarm water once or twice a week.
Only pure water belongs in the baby bath! Is that a statement you can trust?
Oils without essential additives can be added to bath water without concern. Special baby oils ( such as Bübchen Baby Oil ) or base oils such as almond, wheat germ, or sunflower oil are also suitable. One tablespoon of oil is sufficient for a baby bath. Tip: Breast milk helps the skin absorb the oil's nutrients particularly well. Simply add twice the amount—i.e., two tablespoons—to the oil.
Should the bath water be too warm rather than too cold?
The bath temperature should be between 36 and 37°C. A bath that is too warm can dry out the skin. Babies have a delayed perception of pain – checking the water temperature with a thermometer can reduce the risk of scalding. Since babies lose a lot of heat even in a warm bath, the room temperature in the bathroom also plays an important role. For example, as soon as the baby gets out of the tub, they should be wrapped in a towel and dried with dabbing movements.
The more it foams, the cleaner the baby becomes. Does following this simple rule make sense?
Large amounts of foam aren't necessary when washing your baby. You can add a mild baby bath additive ( such as Bübchen Bath & Shampoo ). However, you should avoid using soap completely when cleaning the genital area. To protect your baby's skin, a change in the bathing routine can be helpful: Alternating baths with and without bath additives adds variety to the bathing experience.
For small pimples on baby skin, frequent application of cream is recommended.
Can you confirm this?
Newborn acne, red spots, or milia – babies often have impure skin, especially in the first few months of life. This is due to hormonal changes that occur during the last three months of the mother's pregnancy. This results in small spots that are initially irritating but are usually harmless. Here, too, it's best to practice patience. To provide some relief or prevent dry patches, it's best to use a skincare product specifically tailored to the needs of delicate skin ( for example, Bübchen Milk ).
Should baby hair be washed with baby shampoo? Is this advisable?
A baby's scalp is very sensitive, so care should be taken when washing it. When washing hair, use warm water with a squirt of baby shampoo ( such as Bübchen Baby Shampoo ) and gently wash the hair with a cloth. Caution and patience are important here, as a baby's fontanelle is not yet closed in the first few months of life. To avoid irritating the scalp, wash baby's hair only occasionally.
Über den Experten
Dr. Thomas Stiehm
Dr. Thomas Stiehm earned his doctorate in chemistry in 1989 and then entered the cosmetics industry. Since 1995, he has been Head of Research & Development at Bübchen and a specialist in the development of baby and child care products.
