How can I keep my baby's skin from getting too dry?

How can I keep my baby's skin from getting too dry?

Especially in cold-winter areas, the chill wind outside and dry heat indoors can sap moisture from the hardiest of skins — and your baby's delicate skin is especially vulnerable.

What helps:

Keep your baby's skin moisturized. Many lotions and creams are made especially for babies' sensitive skin. If you're heading outdoors, make it a habit to put on some lotion to prevent dry, chapped skin. (Pediatricians recommend you not put lubricants on a newborn's skin, though — wait until he's a month or so old.) A moisturizing stick that tucks into your diaper bag is handy for on-the-spot TLC.

Soap and water are drying to your baby's skin, so be careful not to overdo the baths in the winter months. When you do wash your baby, use a mild soap and warm, not hot, water. (A thermometer is handy for testing the water temperature.) Don't let him soak in the tub too long. Wrap him in a hooded baby towel as soon as you take him out of the water and pat (don't rub) him dry him quickly. Put a mild baby lotion on his skin, and then bundle him up.

Tip: If the house is very dry, you might consider putting a cool-mist humidifier in the room where your baby sleeps to help keep his nasal passages moist.