Surprisingly, babies get acne too. Many babies get white bumps that are shown up on their chin, cheeks and even their back. This happens just a few weeks after they are born. Acnes are a bit uncomfortable for them as their skin is so sensitive. The good news is that these acne goes away with time.Many mothers feed their babies with breast milk which helps clear it up faster.It’s a natural remedy which is quite effective.In this article, we will explain the causes of baby acne, the benefits of breast milk for baby acne and the ways to help clear the baby acne.
What causes baby acne?
Let’s understand the concept of Baby Acne Breast Milk. Baby acne is pretty common and about 20 percent of babies under 6 weeks old can get it. Although the cause is still unknown, there are few theories that suggest babies who are exposed to the hormones from their mothers. This happens both before they are delivered and after they are born into the world. Well, this idea makes sense because these babies are still adjusting to the environment after they are born. Also, their skin is really sensitive, so their skin pores are easily blocked by the bacteria.
How can breast milk help?
Breast milk possesses some antimicrobial properties which are able to kill bacteria.When mother feeds their babies with breast milk, then any bacteria present on the baby’s skin is killed. Lactoferrin is an important antimicrobial present in mother’s breast milk which removes the impurities that block the pores of the baby’s skin.
When any harmful substances try to attack the baby’s skin then the mother’s immune system responds quickly and the word “inflammation” is that body’s response against the bacterias.
Mothers should not use harsh chemicals on their baby’s skin as the chemicals produce redness, itching and bumps on their baby’s skin.
How to use breast milk for baby acne
Breast milk heals the baby’s acne naturally, free of cost, and it is pretty much always available for them.Mothers use their breast milk after they have fed their babies. They just need to apply small amounts of the milk on the areas where acne is appearing. Babies do not feel irritated as the breast milk does not irritate their skin. It is recommended for mothers to apply breast milk on their skin several times a day, so that this will clear up the acne soon.
Other ways to help clear baby acne
Although mothers consider breast milk as a natural remedy for treatment of their baby’s acne. But they can also use other remedies instead of breast milk to help clear their baby’s skin.
Bathe the baby:
Mothers can give baths to their new born babies with warm water. They can also use mild soap which should be tear free. This will clear their skin pores.
Use Baby’s soap:
Regular soap gives irritation to the skins of the babies, as their skin is sensitive. Therefore mothers need to apply gentle soap on their skin.
Precaution:
Lotions are not safe for the skin of the babies. It is recommended to purchase the lotions from the market which are specially designed for newborns. Mothers cannot apply greasy and fragrant lotion on their baby’s skin because they dislike them and feel uncomfortable.
Do not Scrub your baby’s skin:
While you are giving a bath to your baby, you must not scrub their skin because this will pops the acne bumps and cause skin infection on the skin.
Precaution:
Many babies scrub their skin, which causes skin infection. You can prevent this by covering their hands with socks or mittens. Mothers should make sure that their baby’s nails are trimmed.
How long does baby acne last?
Many mothers seek help from the pediatricians to treat their baby’s acne as they are worried about them. The pediatricians always advise them to be patient, and counsel them that the baby acne is temporary and it will be automatically cleared up within a few months. There is no treatment needed for the acne that appears on the newborn’s skin. However, if the mothers notice that their baby’s acne still persists after several months after birth, then pediatricians recommend them to use a medicated cream. It is disallowed for the parent to give over the counter medicines, as these medicines usually react with the sensitive baby’s skin.
Sometimes, babies suffer from eczema which is a rash or milia. In case, mothers think that there are signs and symptoms of this disease, then they should consult an expert pediatrician.
Other uses of breast milk
Fortunately, breast milk is also effective for other diseases in babies such as:
A few drops given by the mothers to their babies can help soothe the following conditions:
- ear infections
- eczema
- skin rash
- sore nipples
- teething pain
Conclusion
Baby acne is a common problem that affects many infants, so mothers don’t need to get alarmed if they notice little whiteheads in the weeks or months after delivery in their cute babies.
These bumps will go away on their own, but in the meantime, they should perform home remedies as mentioned above which help clear their baby’s skin faster without causing irritation on their skin. If they have any concerns,they must not don’t hesitate to contact a good pediatrician.