As a mother of a newborn baby, you spend all day looking at him, don't you? When you look at that little face, hands, and feet, you feel incredibly happy. But suddenly you notice that the baby's beautiful pink lips are a little dry, maybe even a little chapped. Then you feel a little scared and worried, right? "Oh, is something wrong with my baby?" You think. But don't worry. This is a common condition seen among newborn babies, and most of the time it is not serious. Let's talk about this clearly today.
Why do babies' lips get so dry and cracked?
First, let's understand this. When your baby was in the womb, his skin was protected by a white, thick substance. We call it vernix. This is what protected the baby's delicate skin. But after birth, every system in the baby's body, especially the skin, which is the body's largest organ, begins to adapt to the external environment. This can sometimes cause dry skin. The lips are also a very delicate area of skin, so they can dry out quickly.
There are several main reasons:
- Weather : Just like adults, babies' lips can get dry during cold, dry weather.
- Friction: This can happen if the baby constantly licks his lips, or because his lips constantly rub against the surface of the breast while breastfeeding.
- Sunlight: We don't expose our little babies to direct sunlight, but if we do, it can also cause dry lips.
The important thing is that even though you may feel very scared when you see your baby's cleft lip, most of the time it's not as serious as it seems. So don't worry.
Especially for breastfeeding mothers
If you're a breastfeeding mom, your baby's lips may look a little dry after they've finished feeding. This is because their lips are constantly rubbing against your breast. Sometimes, the friction from your baby sucking hard can cause a small blister to form on their lips (a `nursing blister`).
Many mothers are afraid that their lips are chapped after seeing this. But this is normal. Never try to break that blister. It will heal on its own and go away.
How do we treat this?
Since a baby's skin is very sensitive, we need to be very careful about what we use on their skin, especially their lips. Because anything that gets on their lips can easily be swallowed by the baby. Doctors say that in the first few months, you should not give your baby anything other than breast milk or formula. If a small amount of something else accidentally gets into your baby's body, it can introduce germs to his sensitive digestive system.
So, here are some of the safest things you can do.
1. Breast milk: Don't be surprised, breast milk is the best and safest medicine for chapped lips in babies. You can squeeze a few drops of breast milk directly onto your baby's lips and apply it. Or, take a few drops from some previously expressed milk and apply it. The natural properties of breast milk moisturize the lips and help them heal quickly.
2. Petroleum Jelly: This is also a good option. But when choosing, choose plain petroleum jelly that has no added fragrance or other ingredients. Take a very small amount and apply it carefully to the lips, being careful not to get it into the baby's mouth.
3. Unscented Lip Balm: If you're thinking of using a lip balm for your baby, be sure to read the label. Things that we think are good for us can be too harsh for our baby's sensitive skin. Especially those with strong scents and flavors like cinnamon, orange, and mint can irritate your baby's skin even more.
| Ingredients that should definitely not be included in a baby's lip balm | |
|---|---|
| Ingredient | Why is it not good? (Why to Avoid) |
| Camphor, Eucalyptus, Menthol | These can cause skin irritation and tingling. The smell is also too strong for babies. |
| Lanolin | Some babies may develop allergies. |
| Phenol, Salicylic Acid | These are harsh chemicals even for adults and are not suitable for baby's skin at all. |
| Octinoxate, Oxybenzone | These are chemicals commonly found in sunscreens and are not suitable for baby's lips. |
What can you do to prevent dry lips from continuing to occur?
Once the baby's lips heal, we can make sure it doesn't happen again.
- Use a humidifier: If the air where you live is dry, keep a humidifier running near your baby's sleeping area. This will add moisture to the air and prevent your baby's skin and lips from drying out.
- Protect your baby from the environment: When taking your baby outside, especially on a cold, windy day, you need to protect him well. Cover him as much as possible with a small hat, gloves, and socks. You can also put a small blanket over the baby's `carrier` or `car seat` while getting in and out of the car.
- Sun protection: Although it is not good to expose your baby to the sun, you should still protect him from the sun. Use an approved sunscreen that is suitable for your baby. But do not apply it to your lips. Apply it to other areas of your body that are exposed to the sun.
Take-Home Message
- Chapped lips in babies are usually a normal and not serious condition, so don't worry.
- The best and safest treatment is to apply a few drops of breast milk to your lips.
- If you use another product, choose a simple petroleum jelly or lip balm that is free of fragrance, flavor, and harmful chemicals. It is essential to read the label.
- If your chapped lips are severe, red, swollen, or don't seem to heal within a few days, be sure to see your doctor for advice.
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