One in four babies could be missing out on the best start for their skin according to NHS data

• NHS data from 2022 showed that 74.2% of new babies born in England had skin-to-skin contact with their parents within an hour of birth           

• Skin-to-skin contact is important for developing a baby’s microbiome – a layer of unique bacteria which helps protect them against the infections and diseases they are most likely to encounter through their life

• Midwives have created a simple seven-step plan to help all parents-to-be give their babies’ skin the best start in life.

Recently published NHS data shows that more than one in four babies (25.8 percent) born in England could be missing out on the best start in life for their skin, as they don’t have skin-to-skin contact with a parent within an hour of birth. This equates to 115,910 babies born in 2021-22. 

Skin-to-skin contact is offered to all parents at birth, unless a baby needs immediate medical intervention, but across England, the number of parents who are reported to have given their baby skin to skin contact within the first hours of birth varies from region to region, with 84 percent of babies born in the South West reported to have had skin to skin contact within the first hour following birth compared to 62 percent in the East of England. 

Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is important for many reasons, including developing the microbiome. Everybody has their own microbiome, which is made up of millions of different bacteria, viruses and fungi.  Developing this microbiome, in conjunction with the environment the baby will be raised in, will help protect a baby against the infections and diseases they are most likely to encounter throughout their life. From the day a baby enters the world, it is important that they come into contact with their local, unique microbes around them, and the best way is for them to have skin-to-skin contact with their parents as soon as possible. Even if a baby is born via C-section, skin-to-skin contact within the first hour is recommended, unless there is a medical indication not to. Skin-to-skin contact is also associated with regulating mum and baby’s heart rates, regulating baby’s temperature, increasing the production of the hormone oxytocin which helps mum and baby bonding, and encouraging baby to breastfeed.

To help new parents give their baby’s skin the best start in life possible, and support their skin health throughout their lifetime, midwives at My Expert Midwife have created seven essential steps to expertly care for your baby’s skin: 

1.       Prepare to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby at birth by writing this in your birth plan

2.       Have skin-to-skin straight after the birth to encourage their skin flora and microbiome to develop (your partner can do this too)

3.       The first few days – use a bowl of water to clean your baby’s face and bottom (top and tail)

4.       The first few weeks – bath your baby a maximum of 2-3 times a week unless visibly dirty

5.       Always use the mildest products and moisturise after bathing to keep skin healthy and hydrated

6.       Protect your baby’s skin by having skin-to-skin contact daily as often as possible

7.       After three months you can start to use carefully selected essential oil blends to settle and soothe your baby 

Skin-to-skin contact is often associated with those moments immediately after a baby has been born, but babies can benefit enormously from skin-to-skin contact being built into their daily routine too. Regular, daily skin-to-skin contact between baby and their parents can help support their developing skin flora, helping them to create their own unique microbiome from the people and environment around them.

When a newborn comes into the world, their skin is around 30% thinner than an adults, has a different composition and is not only more sensitive, but more prone to breaking down from irritants encountered. Skin conditions in early childhood are common with one in five children experiencing eczema. Eczema tends to run in families; but some environmental factors can make eczema worse, including allergens, harsh soaps and bubble baths. Even washing in plain water can have a drying effect,  so midwives recommend only bathing babies when they are dirty and using only the gentlest of washing products, without fragrance for the first three months.

Lesley Gilchrist, registered midwife and co-founder of My Expert Midwife said: “A newborn’s skin is different to an adults, and is more prone to breaking down which can lead to dry, sore skin. It is important that a baby comes into contact with their local flora and microbes, as soon as they enter the world in order to develop their microbiome, so it is recommended that newborns have skin-to-skin contact with their parents within the first hour following birth and regularly throughout their lives up until two years old.

“We’ve developed our seven essential steps to expertly care for your baby’s skin to help new parents understand that they are the best thing for their baby’s skin, and that keeping baby’s skin healthy and clean need not be complicated. Our seven steps will be available for parents to download from myexpertmidwife.com.

“As new parents we all want to bath our babies, it’s what we are conditioned to think and do, we are told that it helps build a routine, that it will help achieve a good sleep pattern, it’s time for parents to bond with baby and we know they are all fresh and clean. What is less well known, is that skin health comes from building the microbiome, and that minimising disruption to their microbiome will help them fight off infections and build up a strong immunity in the long term.”  

My Expert Midwife has created a collection of gentle and purposefully-developed products to care for babies’ skin including:

Mega Mild Cleansing Wash - This midwife-developed, 97.6% naturally derived, gentle formula can be used from baby’s first wash and has been developed to be gentle on baby’s skin. It contains soothing calendula, marshmallow, and oat kernel to leave skin feeling clean and soft. Use when necessary to clean baby skin – for example after a poo explosion, or messy feed.

Mega Mild Moisture Milk - Water dries out baby’s skin so after washing, a gentle and fragrance-free moisturiser should be used to support their delicate skin. Mega Mild Moisture Milk keeps baby’s skin soft and soothed and contains hydrating and softening argan and rosehip oils and soothing oat kernel.

Totally Immense Dribble Defence – Guard against sore skin caused by saliva and chafing. Totally Immense Dribble Defence is specially formulated with lanolin for skin protection and  calendula which soothes and calms inflamed skin. It also contains nourishing castor and grapeseed oil to create a nourishing and soothing barrier between your baby's skin and their dribble.

Super Charged Skin Salve – This midwife-developed Skin Salve contains protecting and anti-inflammatory lanolin and calendula, and soothing oat kernel oil. Super Charged Skin Salve is safe to use from newborn and has been developed to offer gentle, targeted moisturisation for your baby’s skin.

Mega Calm Massage Balm - Mega Calm Massage Balm contains no artificial ingredients and has been designed to help smooth, nourish and moisturise baby’s skin during massage whilst supporting skin integrity. The massage midwife-developed balm contains calendula, oat kernel, sweet almond and coconut, chosen for their soothing, softening and calming properties. This is safe to use from newborn and has been developed to be gentle for your baby’s skin and to support a calming, bonding massage experience.

To download a free copy of the seven essential steps to expertly care for your baby’s skin, visit myexpertmidwife.com.