Just two questions for you here..

My newborn has what appears to be 'infant acne'. Minor acne looking rash on his cheeks, forehead and even a little on the side of his neck. I was reading it is common and only lasts to 4-6weeks of age. I was just wondering what or if there is anything I can do to help this? I dont want to use creams and I'm questioning to use baby soap?

Second question, a little more important then the first. Theres the ever large debate of how to take care of the cord. Do you leave it alone? Wash it with alcohol? I was told to leave it alone and just clean up dried blood and such. However.... the dried up cord looks like its about to fall off.. but underneath it's wet and goopy looking? Very very gross. What is this? Is it normal? Should I be doing something to dry that up?

As far as the baby acne goes, it is what used to be called "milk bumps". My son never had it, but I wouldn't put any cream on it. It could irritate the area even more. It won't hurt the baby, more cosmetic than anything.

For the cord, are you making sure that the cord is outside of the diaper? If not, be sure to fold don the diaper under the area of the cord. Moisture on the cord could be causing the "goopiness" If it has drainage, like yellow or green, you need to call the pediatrician. I never had to put anything on my son's cord.

Amy

Ok the rash is newborn rash and they can have that till they are 3 months old. It can come and go. There really isnt anything that you can do for this. You should only be bathing your little one maybe every 2-3 days. They really dont get dirty. Also I hope you arent putting your little one down in the water. Until the cord falls off they are only supposed to have sponge baths.

The cord I was told to clean it at least 3 times a day with alcohol. I cleaned my dd with every diaper change just because it seemed to look really gross. The goopy part will dry up eventually. It needs a little alcohol on it. It will still be there a little after the cord falls off and you will just use a little alcohol on it and it will dry up too. It is completely normal.

Hope this helps.

As the others have said, the acne will clear up, don't even worry about it. Just don't pick at it or it can scar.

As for the cord, just keep it uncovered and I used q-tips with rubbing alcohol to swab around it which helped the drying process. You really don't have to do much. The underneath of the cord might look goopy and such but unless it is oozing and smells funny I wouldn't worry. If it is green, get it checked out, yellow can be the healing fluids like what you get when you cut your finger.

Thanks for the replys.

Do I actually clean the goopies under the cord stump?

I did. I really helped it to dry up faster and fall off sooner. For about a week I was so gentle with it just because I thought that you had to be and then I took her in for a weight check at the hospital and they cleaned it for me and they told me that you dont have to be so gentle with it because the baby cant feel it. While they cleaned it, it almost fell off but it was still hanging on. It ended up falling off after a few more diaper changes and I cleaned it with each change.

The acne is easily treated if you just wash your babies face with water daily.

I can't believe they didn't tell you to care for the cord at the hospital. Yes, you should use alcohol on it a few times a day. The more you use, the faster it comes off. I was always putting alcohol on that thing. Don't worry about getting the goopies too much - just make sure the alcohol gets down there.

Don't worry about the baby acne. My dd had it. It does clear up. She's 9 weeks now and still has a couple spots here and there. Doc says it's totally normal. Your baby is just getting used to it's environment. Just use a wash rag and water (no soap) to clean his face daily.

As for the cord, I was told by the hospital not to use alcohol. We just made sure the diaper was not rubbing the cord area. And actually dd fell of in 5 days.

However, dd didn't have goopy stuff at the base. I would swab with alcohol if I were you. If it looks infected, go see your doctor.