You can use nappy cream on a newborn from the very first day, especially as a preventative barrier at every change, or immediately when you see the first signs of redness or irritation, using a thick layer of a zinc oxide-based cream to protect their delicate skin from moisture and irritants. Many gentle, fragrance-free barrier creams are safe for newborns, with some parents opting for a thicker application at night or during long stretches between feeds for extra protection.
Use diaper cream when you notice signs of diaper rash, such as patches of redness (which may appear darker or harder to see on darker skin tones), tenderness, or irritation in the diaper area.
Hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, this light ointment glides smoothly onto delicate skin without dragging or pulling. Suitable for daily use from birth, it helps keep baby's skin soft, healthy, and protected at every nappy change.
The hardest week with a newborn is often considered the first six weeks, especially weeks 2-3, due to extreme sleep deprivation, constant feeding demands, learning baby's cues, postpartum recovery, and a peak in inconsolable crying (the "witching hour"), making parents feel overwhelmed as they adjust to a new, exhausting routine. While the first week is tough, the challenges often intensify as the baby becomes more alert but still fussy, with major developmental hurdles like cluster feeding and increased fussiness peaking around 6-8 weeks.
Skincare products for babies
Once your baby is a few weeks old, you can begin to incorporate skincare products into their bathing routine. However, for premature babies, these products should be avoided for around six to eight weeks after birth, as their skin's natural protective barrier can take longer to mature.
So, when is it safe to put lotion on a newborn? According to pediatricians it is better to avoid the use of moisturizing products for the first few weeks until your baby's skin has had time to mature naturally.
Babies this age need to be held and cuddled — it helps them feel safe. You cannot spoil babies during the first four to six months by holding them too much. They also enjoy seeing parents' faces and hearing their voices, so talk and sing to your baby. Never shake your baby.
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.
The 5-3-3 rule is a loose guideline for structuring a baby's sleep schedule: 5 hours of wake time before the first nap, 3 hours of wake time before the second nap, and 3 hours before bedtime.
The newborn 5-5-5 rule is a postpartum guideline for new mothers to focus on healing and bonding in the first 15 days home, dividing rest into 5 days in bed, followed by 5 days on the bed, and then 5 days near the bed, encouraging minimal chores, visitors, and activity to prioritize recovery from childbirth and establishing the new family unit, drawing on traditional postpartum rest practices.
Same page link. AVEENO® Baby nappy cream rapidly soothes sensitive & delicate baby skin & is clinically proven to protect against causes of nappy rash from 1st use. The formula contains zinc oxide, known to create a breathable barrier to protect the skin, and provides immediate comfort and long-lasting protection.
The "3-minute rule" for eczema is a key skincare guideline: apply moisturizer to damp skin within three minutes of getting out of a bath or shower to lock in moisture, strengthen the skin barrier, and prevent dryness and itching. This practice, recommended by dermatologists, involves gently patting the skin dry, leaving it slightly damp, and immediately applying a thick cream or ointment to seal in hydration, reducing eczema flare-ups and soothing the skin.
Barrier creams should be applied thickly at nappy changes if your baby has nappy rash. This cream should contain zinc oxide, such as Sudocream, or Bepanthan Nappy Ointment. It is not necessary to remove all of the barrier cream from previous applications. If the area is clean then you can just reapply another layer.
Your newborn baby
Your newborn baby's skin is especially sensitive at this time and will need specialised protection. Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment is so gentle that it can be used from birth to help the most delicate skin, even of premature babies, as it's free from fragrance, preservatives, colourants or antiseptics.
The 40-day rule after birth, often called confinement or "The Golden Month," is a widespread cultural tradition emphasizing a mother's deep rest, healing, and bonding with her newborn, with family often handling chores and visitors, promoting physical recovery (like stopping bleeding) and mental well-being, rooted in ancient practices from Asia, Latin America, and religious traditions like Judaism and Christianity. Key aspects involve nourishing the mother, sheltering her from stress, and focusing solely on resting and bonding, a stark contrast to Western pressures to "bounce back" quickly.
Why Does SIDS Peak at 2-4 Months? The widely accepted explanation for the SIDS peak has to do with the timeline of brain development. “Up to 4 months old, the part of the brain that controls breathing and wakefulness is under a lot of development,” Juliet explains.
Babies start in 'active sleep' (with faster, uneven breathing) and move into a deeper sleep after about 20 minutes. That's a good time to transfer them into their sleeping place. Many babies don't like being put down into a cot.
Simply put, newborns and young infants should not spend more than two hours in their car seat at any given time. This doesn't just include time in the car; if you use your car seat with a stroller as part of a travel system, that time counts as well.
If you need to go on a longer car journey, try to stop every 2 hours for a break and take them out of their car seat for a break – younger babies will need a feed or nappy change every couple of hours anyway, so try to work time for a decent break into all longer journeys.
The hardest week with a newborn is often considered the first six weeks, especially weeks 2-3, due to extreme sleep deprivation, constant feeding demands, learning baby's cues, postpartum recovery, and a peak in inconsolable crying (the "witching hour"), making parents feel overwhelmed as they adjust to a new, exhausting routine. While the first week is tough, the challenges often intensify as the baby becomes more alert but still fussy, with major developmental hurdles like cluster feeding and increased fussiness peaking around 6-8 weeks.
The 7 key danger signs for newborns, often highlighted by organizations like the WHO, are not feeding well, convulsions, fast breathing, severe chest indrawing, lethargy/unconsciousness (movement only when stimulated), high or low temperature, and jaundice (yellow skin/soles) or signs of local infection like an infected umbilical stump, requiring immediate medical attention.
First weeks and months
Over the first few weeks and months, the time between feedings will start to get longer. On average, most exclusively breastfed babies will feed every 2 to 4 hours. Some babies may feed as often as every hour at times, often called cluster feeding.