A baby’s skin should be soft, glowing and blemish free but unfortunately there are some skin care conditions that, while minor in their severity, can still be upsetting for parents and baby alike.

Of course, you should consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about these conditions, but generally they are simple to care for and can be easily addressed with some natural home care remedies. Here are the three most common skin care complaints for babies and some simple remedies for them.

Infant Eczema. This is a very common skin complaint for babies, and small children. This kind of eczema normally clears up of its own accord but the condition can linger for longer. If this is the case you should seek medical advice.

Luckily, infant eczema is easily dealt with. Just make sure that baby is bathed in lukewarm water and well moisturized after the bath. Try and source moisturizers that are rich in lanolin or contain aloe vera as these are particularly good at reducing swelling, inflammation and hydrating the affected area.

You should also try and minimize sources of irritation by making sure that baby is dressed in soft, natural fabrics such as cotton and wool and make sure that they wear mittens to stop them scratching themselves.

Diaper Rash. This is probably the best known and certainly the most common skin care complaint among babies, particularly in their first year. Most of the time it’s simply caused by allowing wet diapers to be in contact with the skin for too long, but it can occasionally be attributed to other factors such as an allergic reaction or over sensitivity to urine.

Again, it’s simply dealt with. Just wash baby in warm water – don’t use any soap or artificial cleanser and leave them to dry off naturally. Finish off by applying a lanolin rich cream to the affected area. Oatmeal in the bath water is also an excellent natural remedy for diaper rash. Just pop some into the warm water and allow the mixture to go slightly gooey. Then bath baby as normal and rinse and pat them dry.

Cradle cap. This is usually experienced on the top of the head, hence the name. It’s caused by an overproduction of oil in the skin and is not a serious condition, although its first appearance can be slightly alarming if you are not used to seeing it.

Just apply olive oil or baby oil to the affected area to soften up the scaly skin. When the scales have become soft they can be gently removed using a fine comb or soft cloth. Just repeat this until the condition disappears of its own accord.

Infant skin care is a very gentle procedure. Avoid harsh soaps or artificial cleansing products and most of the time the condition will simply go away naturally. However, like anything related to your baby, if you have any doubts make sure that you consult a medical specialist as soon as possible.