One of the characteristics that differentiate humans from other animals is parental care.
Of all the different species of animals in the animal kingdom, the human being stands out because of his complexity.
Having a baby isn’t a tiny feat hence the reason for the sensitive nature of parents towards their baby.
Babies’ skin is delicate and can react to some applied moisturizers; with this in mind, one may ask, can I use regular Vaseline for baby?
This article discusses everything you need to know about using regular Vaseline for a baby. We also provide answers to other frequently asked questions related to this topic.
Vaseline: Everything You Need To Know
The ointment Vaseline is the brand-name version of the white petrolatum and the original version.
Vaseline came into existence in 1859 as a reward for the research and work of Mr. Robert Chesebrough and was renamed Vaseline in 1872.
The need for a change in the brand name resulted from the bad publicity that petrolatum was getting due to its name derived from petrolatum, which is a byproduct of petroleum.
The bad publicity was the contamination of petrolatum with carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons if not correctly refined, but when refined, petrolatum has no health concerns.
Originally Vaseline was used for the healing of burns and cuts. Now, Vaseline is not only used for burns and cuts healing but can be applied to the skin.
Can I Use Regular Vaseline For Baby?
The answer is yes; you can use regular Vaseline on your baby. Research has proven that it poses no health hazard to a baby’s delicate skin.
The moisturizing effects of Vaseline on the baby, when applied on the skin, are excellent, and when used on your baby’s lips, it can prevent chapping of the lips.
Applying regular Vaseline to a baby can never harm your baby. Instead, you can leverage the benefits that come with the use of Vaseline on your baby’s skin.
Using regular Vaseline on your baby’s skin can be helpful in soothing pains from rashes but ensure that your baby does not eat or swallow the Vaseline.
Regular Vaseline for baby effectively soothes the pains from an open wound on your baby’s body by creating the right environment conducive to healing.
When applying Vaseline on your baby’s lips, medical experts suggest you apply it at least twice a day, and the best time for this can be after each feeding or before bedtime, whether you are using formula or breast milk.
If your baby is over three months old, you can apply Vaseline to other parts of their body if they have dry skin.
Read: Is Silver Bird oil good for babies – Explained
Why Use Regular Vaseline For Baby’s Skin
You can use Vaseline on your baby’s delicate skin for a variety of reasons, and they include
1. As a Moisturizer
On baby’s skin, Vaseline serves as an efficient moisturizer, and it breaks water loss from your baby’s skin.
Research has proven that babies whose skin was applied moisturizers like Vaseline had a reduced risk of developing atopic dermatitis or eczema during their first six months.
We recommend applying Vaseline ointment to your baby’s skin after bath time to help keep it moisturized.
2. Prevention of Drool Rash
Applying Vaseline to your baby’s cheek helps prevent skin irritation from drool.
You can help prevent drool rash from appearing on your baby’s skin by applying Vaseline on your baby’s skin morning and night.
3. Healing of Chapped Lips
Applying Vaseline on your baby’s lips when they are dry can help in healing your baby’s chapped lips as the moisturizing actions of the Vaseline can help in healing the chapping of the lips.
You can do this by applying a small amount of Vaseline to your baby’s lips before bedtime to prevent lips from drying.
When applying Vaseline on your baby’s lips, always use cotton wool or a pad to prevent Vaseline from getting into your baby’s mouth to avoid discomfort or choking.
4. Healing of Cuts and Scratches
Vaseline is credited with the ability to heal minor cuts and scratches faster as it helps provide the right environment for wound healing.
It gives the right environment that favors faster wound healing and reduces scar formation.
5. Prevention of Diaper Rash
Vaseline also protects the baby from diaper rash, especially one gotten from pee and poop, while keeping your baby’s skin moisturized.
You can achieve this by applying a thin layer of Vaseline to your baby’s butt after cleaning the pee.
This layer is a protective barrier that helps prevent irritants from creating skin sores or making sore skin any worse.
How to Apply
Remove any solids stuck to their skin by gently wiping them off. Afterward, use a clean cloth soaked in warm water with a tiny bit of soap to wipe away any remaining dirt.
Apply Vaseline to the diaper rash and surrounding skin if dry or chapped.
Vaseline should be left on overnight, but check to ensure your baby’s diaper isn’t sticking to their skin. This can cause discomfort and irritation around the area where you have applied Vaseline.
Read: How To Prevent Diaper Blowout
How Often Should I Apply Regular Vaseline For Baby?
The frequency of regular Vaseline on your baby’s skin depends on your baby’s skin. Health experts recommend applying it once a day to your baby.
When applied on a dry or chapped baby’s skin, Vaseline’s moisturizing effects are magical, and their softening effect is highly effective.
You can also start the topical application of regular Vaseline on your baby’s skin during their first month of life and increase its frequency as they grow older.
Related Post: How To Use Vaseline To Treat Constipation in Babies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baby Petroleum Jelly The Same As Vaseline?
Yes, Petroleum jelly is the same as Vaseline. The petroleum jelly in Vaseline is safe to use even on a baby’s sensitive skin, but you should always use the unscented version on a baby.
Always buy unscented or fragrance-free products when using this product on your baby since babies’ skin is much more delicate than adults.
What Is The Best Time To Use Vaseline On A Baby?
It is best to use Vaseline on your baby’s skin after every diaper change and when it is dry or flaky.
While some recommend using it at night, this is unnecessary since the skin will naturally regenerate overnight when you are not wearing diapers.
What Can I Use Instead of Vaseline?
Using regular Vaseline or Vaseline Baby Petroleum Jelly will work if your baby has dry skin. Vaseline Baby
Petroleum Jelly is specially formulated for a baby’s delicate skin, and it contains no color, dye, or fragrance, so it may be more comfortable for some babies.
What is the Difference between Vaseline and Aquaphor?
Although Vaseline and Aquaphor are petroleum jelly-based products, their textures are different.
Some people prefer Vaseline because it has a thick consistency and is slightly more oily than Aquaphor.
On the other hand, Aquaphor has a lighter texture and is less oily. Aquaphor absorbs into the skin more quickly than Vaseline; therefore, some people prefer to use it on their skin instead of Vaseline on their lips.
Can I use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly on the baby’s Face?
There are two types of Vaseline. There is the regular petroleum jelly for dry skin, and then there is also Vaseline, best suited for face use.
Using one without a scent is best since you don’t want your baby smelling like Vaseline all day long.
Are there any Requirements for the Regular Use of Vaseline on babies?
No special requirement is needed for your baby’s skin; use Vaseline whenever their skin needs it.
If your baby’s skin is cracked, you should apply Vaseline three times a day, and if it is dry and flaky, you can use it twice daily.
If you will use Vaseline for diaper rash, apply only a thin layer to not interfere with your baby’s ability to sweat.
Wind Up
I hope this article has given in-depth knowledge to answer the question about using regular Vaseline for baby.
The moisturizing effects of Vaseline on your baby’s skin are topnotch, and when used on your baby’s lips, it can prevent chapping of the lips.
Regular Vaseline can never hurt your baby; instead, you can leverage the benefits that come with the use of Vaseline on the baby’s skin.
The use of regular Vaseline for a baby’s skin can be helpful in soothing pains from rashes but do ensure that your baby does not eat or swallow the Vaseline.
Apply it to your baby’s lips at least twice a day when using it on the baby’s lips. And the best time for this can be after each feeding or before bedtime if you are using formula or breast milk.
When applying Vaseline to your baby’s lips, always use cotton wool or a pad to prevent Vaseline from getting into your baby’s mouth so that it doesn’t cause discomfort or choking.