to apply emollients

Applying emollient or moisturizing creams or any other product on the skin of newborns is not recommended.
At birth, human skin is covered with an acid mantle, which is key to maintaining the baby’s defenses. Although there is no scientific evidence about the harmful effects of emollients, no benefits have been demonstrated in their application.
Therefore, it is not recommended to apply emollients or other products on the skin. If in doubt, it is always advisable to ask your health care team.

Routine application of topical emollients is not recommended for the prevention of skin conditions in healthy full-term infants.
This recommendation was developed by the WHO Guidelines Development Group (GDG). The GDG agreed that there was insufficient evidence on the beneficial and harmful effects of routine application of topical emollients on healthy term newborns to prevent skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, dry skin and others.