What to do if your baby has chapped lips
Your
newborn baby is especially susceptible to skin conditions. When they were in
the womb, they were covered in a thick white substance called primordial
lubrication that protected their skin. Now their body must self-regulate all of
its systems.
While
most conditions are harmless, there are times when you may be concerned about
the appearance of your child's skin. But what about chapped lips?
Causes of chapped lips
Just
like adults, your child's lips can become chapped when the weather is cold and
dry. Chapped lips can also occur due to excessive rubbing, such as when licking
lips or breastfeeding. Although your child should not be exposed to the sun too
much, as this can be another common cause of chapped lips.
Since
the baby's skin condition may look worse than it really is, you may be alarmed
by the appearance of chapped lips. But rest assured; this is very normal.
If you
are breastfeeding, your baby's lips may feel dry after feeding due to constant
contact with your skin. They may also develop a blister on their lip due to
friction during breastfeeding.
Many
parents confuse it with chapped lips. It is completely normal to see a blister
on a baby's lip while breastfeeding. Just be careful not to blow up the bulb.
Instead, let it heal or fall off on its own without intervention.
How to treat and prevent chapped lips
Your
baby's skin is very sensitive and you should be careful with the products you
put on the skin, especially on the lips, as these products are easy to swallow.
Health care providers advise your child not to eat milk or formula for the
first few months of life. Accidentally feeding your baby anything else, even
small amounts, can introduce bacteria into his sensitive gut.
- Breast milk. Breast milk is the best treatment
for chapped lips. You can either squeeze milk from your breast directly onto
your baby's lips or use a few drops of previously expressed milk. If you're not
breastfeeding, ask a friend if she has a few extra breast milk that
you could use for a newborn.
- Vaseline. Because petroleum jelly is mild
and contains no additives, it's a great choice for your child's chapped lips.
Use the smallest amount and apply it on your lips, being careful not to get
into his mouth.
- Unscented lip balm. It is very important to read the
ingredient labels on all products before using them on your child. Just because
something feels soft to you doesn't mean it will be soft enough for your baby.
Ingredients to avoid:
- Camphor
- Eucalyptus
- Lanolin
- Menthol
- Octinoxate or oxybenzone
- Phenol (or phenyl)
- Propyl gallate
- Salicylic acid
Also
be mindful of adding fragrances to your lip balm. Common smells
and tastes, such as cinnamon, citrus, and mint, can be especially irritating to
your child's skin and smell strongly in their sensitive nose.
Prevent dry skin
While
this is easier said than done, there are steps you can take to prevent your child's
skin and lips from drying out again after you've helped them heal.
- Use a humidifier. If the air is usually dry where
you live, try installing a humidifier near where your child sleeps. Increased
humidity will prevent the lips and skin from drying out.
- Protection from the elements. If you take your baby outside and
the weather is cold and dry, be sure to protect their sensitive skin. You can
use protective items such as hats, mittens, socks, and clothing to cover his
body as much as possible. You can also throw a blanket over the handle of her
baby carrier or car seat when you go to and from the car for extra protection.
While you don't want your child to overheat, they also need sun protection. If you plan on exposing your baby to direct sunlight, plan to invest in a baby-approved sunscreen. While you shouldn't apply it to your lips, you can keep your baby in a shady area and apply sunscreen to sun-exposed skin.