It is common to see chapped lips in babies, especially during winters. It may be more prevalent in places with low humidity. Babies who naturally tend to lick their lips may also experience chapped lips. While adults commonly use lip balms to manage their dry lips, are they safe for babies as well? Read this post as we talk about the causes, home remedies, and prevention of a baby’s dry and chapped lips.
What Causes Chapped Lips In Babies?
Common reasons behind dry and chapped lips in babies include: If your baby has other severe symptoms, then it is best to take them to a doctor. Chapped lips are usually a result of benign reasons rather than acute illnesses and can be dealt with right at home, with a few safe solutions.
Home Remedies For A Baby’s Chapped Lips
If your baby is otherwise healthy, then the following are the best and safest methods to treat chapped lips in babies: Breast milk and formula are the best remedial methods for chapped lips since they do not pose a health risk when licked or swallowed by the baby. Treatment of underlying conditions, such as dehydration, will be symptomatic while treatment for Kawasaki disease involves the use of several medicines.
What Not To Apply On The Baby’s Chapped Lips?
Coconut oil has emollient properties. emollient propertiesiXThe quality of soothing and softening the skin. . Hence its use to provide some relief from chapped lips is common (8). However, you should not apply baby oil, lotions, and even natural remedies such as coconut oil without pediatric consultation. Lanolin is quite commonly used by breastfeeding mothers for sore nipples (9). It might cause poisoning when ingested, but the effects depend on the amount of lanolin ingested. Medical-grade lanoliniXNatural moisturizing wax extracted from sheep’s wool. carries much less risk of poisoning (10). Thus, its use must be done under pediatric guidance only.
When To See A Doctor?
Usually, chapped lips are not a matter of concern. However, if you see any of these other symptoms associated with chapped lips, consult a pediatrician.
Sore, red, and dry lips Chronic chapping that is increasing with time Bleeding lips Baby is unable to feed Baby is fussy and cranky Other problems such as high fever, diarrhea, or vomiting
Some causes, such as dehydration or nutritional deficiency, could be causing the above-mentioned symptoms. These need to be addressed promptly to avoid any complications further.
How To Prevent Chapped Lips In Babies?
Maintaining a regular feeding schedule allows your baby’s lips to stay hydrated by breast milk. Another way to prevent chapped lips is by keeping adequate ambient humidity. Cool-mist humidifiers help you achieve it. Install a cool-mist humidifier in your baby’s room, especially during the dry seasons, when there is a rapid drop in water vapor content. Pediatricians recommend using a cool-mist humidifier and ask to stay away from hot-mist/steam humidifiers that increase the chances of burn (11). Sufficient humidity means well-hydrated and smooth lips.
