Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

So you go to pick your beautiful baby up from his crib one morning (probably the morning you’ve scheduled his first pictures, or perhaps the morning you’re going to introduce him to your girlfriends) to find his face has broken out like a pimple-faced teenager’s. What the heck is that!

It’s baby acne, and it’s very common.  Your baby is likely to break out with these pimples when he’s about three weeks old.  Baby acne is most commonly seen on baby’s cheeks, but can also flare up on his chin and forehead as well.  Baby acne looks like…well…acne.  But before you break into tears know that it won’t last forever and it doesn’t bother the baby at all.

Don’t blame yourself, if your baby’s face looks like that teenager who couldn’t get a date for the prom.  Although the acne is caused by hormones your baby picked up you during pregnancy, there’s nothing you could have done to prevent it.  And don’t freak out- baby acne usually only lasts a couple of weeks (so reschedule that photo shoot.)  And although it may drive you crazy, your baby is totally oblivious to his less-than-perfect complexion.

There’s nothing you can do to prevent baby acne but there are things that make it worse.  If milk or spit up isn’t wiped off his cheeks right away, then he’ll get more pimples.  His skin may also not appreciate your laundry soap.  Rubbing his face against a crib sheet or burp cloth that’s been washed in harsh detergent can also irritate his skin.   You’re probably going to notice his acne the most when he’s hot or fussy.

Although the sight of those pimples on your baby may totally drive you insane don’t even think about putting any medicated cream or oil on that brand new skin.  And for God’s sake don’t scrub those tiny little cheeks.  His acne is caused by your hormones, not from dirt.  Focus on those beautiful eyes and those cute little toes till his acne clears up.

The best way to treat baby acne is to gently wash your baby’s face twice a day with mild baby soap and a soft baby face cloth.  You can also wash all his clothes (and any of your clothes he rests his face on) with mild baby laundry soap.  And relax, within a few weeks his acne will disappear and he’ll have his beautiful complexion back.