If you think your skin is delicate, just wait until you learn about your infant's outer layer! A baby's skin is thinner than an adult's, making it less resistant to infections and more prone to irritation. Because it also produces less oil, your baby's skin is more susceptible to dryness. Additionally, your infant has less melanin than you do, making your little one more prone to sunburn. To protect that delicate skin, start by cutting back on the frequency with which you bathe your baby. It may sound counterintuitive, but frequent bathing can eliminate the natural oils your baby's skin DOES produce. Between baths, just keep your little one's diaper area, hands, and face clean, by wiping them with a soft, wet cloth. When you DO bathe your little one, a quick "in and out," policy is best. Use warm, not hot, water and skip the soap. A soap-free cleanser designed for babies, is a better bet. Once your baby is out of the bath, dry the skin lightly, then immediately apply a baby-safe moisturizer. On your baby's face, use lotion very sparingly, if at all, as this skin is most delicate. To protect your baby's skin between bathing, wash every garment and blanket BEFORE you dress your little one in them. Try a gentler, made-for-baby detergent, like Dreft. Finally, be cautious when taking your baby outdoors in the sun, because adult sunscreen is too harsh for newborn skin. As an alternative, keep your baby's entire body out of direct sunlight and the stroller shade up over your little one's face. Once your baby is six months old, the risks of using sunscreen on him decrease, and it's wise to get in the daily habit of doing so. Choose a hypoallergenic, PABA-free formula with an SPF of 50 or higher, for this purpose. Most sunscreen manufacturers make baby sunscreens. While all this smart skin care might seem time consuming, the grin on your comfy baby's face should provide plenty of payoffs!