Why is the baby's lips dry and looks cracked

Dry and chapped lips are certainly very annoying and make lip movement uncomfortable. In fact, sometimes chapped lips can sting because they are easily injured. So, what if this happens to a newborn? Why do babies have dry and chapped lips when they are born? What are the signs that the baby's lips are dry and chapped?

A newborn's lips are dry and cracked, isn't that natural?

If you see dry and chapped lips when you are newborn, this is basically not a sign of harm. This is a common problem that occurs in most newborns.

Even most babies still seem comfortable and drink breast milk well when they have this condition.

Even so, you should treat chapped lips as soon as possible because lips with this condition can have a negative impact when the baby is moving their lips. Sometimes, these chapped lips can also lead to serious infections.

This chapped lip problem in babies can usually be cured using natural remedies in just a few days.

However, if in addition to dry and chapped lips there are other signs and symptoms that accompany, for example, the baby looks painful and dry and chapped lips do not heal in a long time, you need to consult a doctor.

Signs of dry baby lips

Lips look sore, red, or dry
Lips feel dry to the touch
The cracks that appear on the surface of the lips can get deeper over time
The crack is bleeding
Darkened skin around the lips

Why do babies have dry and chapped lips when they are born?

Shedding of the skin layer

Newborns usually shed several layers of skin after birth. This is done to adjust to the world outside the mother's womb. This is a normal process, and it will leave skin flaking and looking dry.

Baby's skin sensitivity

Some babies have more sensitive skin than others. The sensitive skin of the baby's lips will then be very easily affected by the cosmetic effect.

For example, chapped lips occur when someone kisses a baby with facial makeup, which can trigger a rash and cause cracks on the lips. Cloths, wipes, lotions and creams skincare or cosmetics can trigger skin reactions on the lips of some babies.

Babies love to suck and lick their lips

Newborn babies have a very strong instinct to suck so they can continue to suck or lick their own lips. Yes, the baby may do it when he is not breastfeeding.

Well, this habit can cause dry lips because the saliva on the lips evaporates and makes the surface of this skin more dehydrated.

Babies are dehydrated

Newborns can also become dehydrated if they are not getting enough milk. Plus if the weather is hot. This can disturb the moisture in the baby's lips.

These are the signs that a newborn baby is dehydrated:

The crown or fontanel of the baby is concave in shape
Sunken eyes
Crying without tears
Cold hands and feet
Heart beating fast
Dry skin
The baby looks limp

If your baby's lips are dry and chapped as well as the above signs, it could be that your baby is dehydrated.

Certain drugs

Chapped lips can also occur due to the use of certain drugs used by newborns. This is a side effect of using the drug that will disappear if the drug is stopped. Talk to your doctor if dry and chapped lips arise as a result of using medication to find the most appropriate solution.

Changes in the weather

Erratic weather can draw moisture from the skin and can dry out your baby's lips even more, causing cracks. Hot, cold, or windy weather can cause chapped lips.

Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is a disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and prolonged fever. This fever can last for 5 days or more in babies, and one of the characteristic features is chapped lips, bright red followed by swollen hands and feet, and reddish color on the palms. Usually this disease appears at the age of 6 months-2 years, rarely under 3 months.