or other potential sensitisers or ingredients that are
toxic or have undocumented safety.
The challenges that parents often face when
caring for their baby’s skin are the quantity and
diversity of products that are available over the
counter and the conflicting advice given by health
professionals and family members. The National
Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
(2006) guidelines recommend that toiletries should
not be used on a baby’s skin for the first month as
there is a lack of research evidence. These guidelines
are re-emphasised by Steen and MacDonald (2008)
who state that there is a lack of research evidence,
and there is no consensus at present as to whether to
use solely water for the first 2–4 weeks of life, or to use
cleansers and moisturisers that have a neutral pH.
A randomised control trial by Lavender et al
(2012) of over 250 neonates reported that there was
no difference in skin hydration in healthy newborn
babies when using specially formulated baby wipes
compared to cotton wool and water. However, the
results indicated that there was a slight increase in
napkin dermatitis in the baby wipes group than those
in the water-only group. Overall, they reported that
there was no evidence of any differences between the
cleansing regimes for wipes or water. This could give
reassurance to parents and health professionals who
advise on skincare.
To prevent nappy rash, it is important for health
professionals to educate parents about keeping the
skin clean and hydrated, as well as avoiding friction
between the nappy and the skin (NICE, 2006).