Dry skin
Peeling and flaky skin, particularly in the folds of the baby’s skin, is typical for newborns. This is completely normal. The skin from the time the baby was in the womb peels off and is replaced by new skin. You don't have to moisturise the skin.
If your baby's skin is red and feels rough, you can treat dry skin by moisturising it with a basic moisturising cream. Stop moisturising the skin as soon as it heals: allow the skin to maintain its moisture balance without creams.
If the skin symptoms do not improve at all or persist for a long time, contact the maternity and child health clinic.
Baby acne
Baby acne are small white spots that appear on the skin of a small baby. The spots are harmless, and they are at their most abundant at the age of 6 to 8 weeks.
The spots require no particular treatment, regular washing with water suffices.
Nappy rash
Nappy rash is characterised by irritated skin in the nappy area, which may be caused by baby's pee or poo. Another possible cause for nappy rash is a fungal infection.
Treat the nappy rash by
- changing the nappy often
- washing the baby’s bottom with water
- offering ‘air baths,’ i.e. spending time indoors without a nappy or other clothes on the bottom half of the body
- moisturising irritated skin with a moisturising cream or zinc cream, if necessary. Pat the skin thoroughly dry before applying moisturiser.
If these do not help, talk about it at your child health clinic or contact your health station.
Baby’s tummy troubles are very common concerns for families with babies. They can cause fussiness and poor sleep for the whole family. Flatulence and constipation are common complaints.
Baby's flatulence and spit-ups
Flatulence in a newborn baby is usually caused by a loose pylorus. As your baby's digestive tract matures with age and they start to spend more time in an upright position, their stomach issues will be alleviated.
Small babies are also prone to spitting up after nursing. If your baby spits up large amounts of milk, handle them carefully after feeding.
You can also ease your baby's discomfort by carrying, patting and rubbing and by rhythmic movement. This helps the air to leave the bowels.
Products that break down air bubbles or lactic acid bacterium products sold at pharmacies can also bring relief to the baby.
Baby’s constipation
Babies under six weeks of age should poop daily.
There are big differences in the bowel functions of babies older than this. A breastfed baby may poop as seldom as once in seven days. If your baby is otherwise well, low frequency of bowel movements is not a problem.
The constipation should be treated if your over-six-week-old baby seems to be in pain or takes more than a week between poos.
You can prevent constipation in your baby by providing enough age-appropriate exercise.
Massaging the baby’s tummy or bringing their knees up to the tummy are a good way to get the air out and get the stomach working. While the baby is awake, you should also keep them lying on their tummy to promote the normal smooth functioning of their digestive tract.
Once your baby has started solid foods, you can prevent constipation by offering your baby carrots, plums or pears in a form that suits them. Whole grain products will also support a healthy digestive tract.
If the symptoms persist
It is perfectly normal for babies to be unhappy at times and sometimes suffer from skin symptoms and stomach upsets.
Sometimes, however, the discomfort becomes more prolonged and you should try to determine the underlying cause. If you are worried about your baby's health or suspect, for example, that your baby has allergies, you can make an extra appointment at the child health clinic.
Colic is a fairly common condition. A baby is considered to have colic if they cry for three hours continuously for at least three days a week but are otherwise healthy.
Usually, colic starts about two weeks after the baby's birth and continues to the age of 3–4 months. The reason for colic is still unknown, but it is not caused by poor care. Colicky babies grow and develop normally.
You can try to soothe your baby by offering baby massage or zone therapy or by patting, holding, carrying and pushing them in a pram. Baby colic is not an issue of flatulence, but a baby suffering from colic may also have wind.
Introduce your baby to those close to you, so you have the courage to ask them for help if you need it. Discuss any fatigue and worries with your family and friends, and also at the child health clinic. We offer families home help when the parents are very tired, for example.
If you suspect that your crying baby has a health problem, contact your child health clinic or healthcare professionals.
Nursing-age babies can sometimes get white or grey mass on their tongue or the mucous membranes of their cheeks. This is called oral candidiasis (oral thrush).
You can try treating oral thrush by giving your baby acidic juice drops such as lingonberry or lemon juice.
If the ailment continues for a long time, oral candidiasis can be treated with a prescription medicine given by the child health clinic. You should also clean the baby's dummies daily by boiling them.
Babies often have stuffy noses and sneeze easily.
Mucus can easily accumulate in the nose. You can help reduce mucus by using a nasal aspirator or saline nose drops (NaCl) available from pharmacies. A few drops of breastmilk can also help to clear the baby’s nose.
Children get their first teeth at the age of 6 to 8 months. However, please note that teeth erupt at an individual rate that is beyond your or your child's control.
There are 20 milk teeth in total, and they usually erupt during the first three years of life.
When teeth erupt, your child may produce a lot of saliva, and their gums may swell. Babies in particular may cry, and their temperature may rise.
You can ease your baby's symptoms
- with cooling chew toys
- by gently rubbing the gums with a brush
- by gently rubbing the gums with your own finger
- by giving an appropriate dose of painkiller, if necessary.
A baby’s temperature is taken either with a digital thermometer at the armpit or with an ear thermometer. The maximum normal temperature for a baby is 37.5 °C. Fever in a child under three months old is always a reason to go to the doctor.
You can care for a baby over three months old at home. Cool the baby by reducing their clothing. Keep your baby hydrated by breastfeeding or offering formula. If necessary, you can give your baby medication that will bring down their fever, in accordance with their age and weight.
If the fever persists, your baby seems tired and sluggish, or cannot eat properly, you should contact healthcare professionals.
