Soothing common baby skin flare-ups at home

Most newborn rashes are harmless and clear up quickly — here is how to tell the everyday ones apart and keep delicate skin calm.

A baby's skin is thinner and more reactive than ours, so the odd patch of redness is rarely cause for alarm. The trick is knowing which marks are part of normal adjustment and which deserve a call to your health visitor.

Keep baths short and lukewarm, pat (never rub) skin dry, and reach for a fragrance-free balm while the skin is still slightly damp. Loose, breathable organic cotton lets the skin recover without trapping heat.

If a rash spreads quickly, blisters, or comes with a fever, trust your instincts and seek advice. For everything else, gentle routines and a little patience usually do the work.