Dry Skin on Newborn?

[kitchensqueen]

My son is two weeks old and suddenly has the worst dry skin on his hands and feet. I put a little moisturizer on them today, but it's like a whole layer of skin is peeling off! Is this normal for such a little baby? 

[katelove]

Yep totally normal. It's probably just his little body getting used to being on dry land instead of floating around in a pool all the time. You can put a moisturiser on if you want to but, even if you don't, it will settle by itself. 

[4midablemama]

Ditto Katelove, but if it goes on longer than a few weeks or seems to be spreading, don't be afraid to talk to the doctor about it. Both of my kids peeled like snakes for months after they were born, and it turned out that they both have eczema. My daughter's is very minor; she had a few itchy patches on her back and her belly when she was tiny, but for the most part, she's just had very dry, rough skin her entire life. It took five years for her to be actually diagnosed as having eczema. My son's is more problematic, and it actually prompted a change of doctor when his first ped  kept pooh-poohing my suspicions and telling me that I was being paranoid.    

[Mommel]

My babe was overdue, and he came out looking like he was molting, peeling all over everywhere! My midwife said it was totally normal and now at 9 days old it's finally going away. His hands and feet were the last to heal...

[lifeguard]

Totally normal but not my favourite stage. I did do some moisturizer & I do think it helped slightly - or at least made me feel better about it.