Applying the moisturizer within minutes of taking your baby out of the tub will seal in the water that's still in his or her skin from the bath. 
Babies and children can get dry skin just like adults do. In fact, because young skin is more delicate, it's more susceptible to becoming dry.
Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob skin of its natural moisture in the winter. And if your baby is prone to dry skin, he'll break out in dry patches in the summer as well, because the summer sun, air conditioning, salt water, and the chlorine in pool water can all be drying.
What can I do about my baby's dry skin? Cut back on bath timeBathing dries a baby's skin because it removes the skin's natural oils along with the dirt. But as long as you take a few precautions, even daily baths shouldn't be a problem, says Seth Orlow, director of pediatric dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.
Instead of a 30-minute bath, cut bath time down to about ten minutes. Use warm water — not hot — and lather sparingly. In fact, Orlow suggests using a fragrance-free, soap-free cleanser, which is much less harsh than regular soap.
Let your baby play in the tub before you wash him or her, so they won't be sitting in soapy water. You'll probably want to cut bubble baths out of your baby's routine — or at least limit them to special occasions.
While bath oils may seem like a good idea, they can make the tub dangerously slippery, and most of the oil slides down the drain anyway. Applying an emollient after bathing is a better route.
Apply a moisturizerOnce you take your baby out of the bath, quickly and lightly dry him or her with a towel, then apply moisturizer immediately. Applying the moisturizer within minutes of taking your baby out of the tub will seal in the water that's still in his or her skin from the bath.
As far as moisturizers go, the general rule is the thicker the better. If your baby's skin is still dry even with daily moisturizing, try switching from a lotion to a thicker cream or ointment. You might also want to consider moisturizing twice a day — once after bathing and once during the day.
Don't let salt or chlorine dry on your baby’s skinChlorine and salt water can both be very drying. After a swim in the pool or ocean, rinse your baby off with tap water, and then apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp.
Run a humidifierIf the air in your home is dry, use a cool mist humidifier in your baby's room. It is advised not to use a steam mist humidifier as vapor is made in these machines by using a heating element to cause steam and the risk of burn can be significant.
Protect your baby from the elementsMake sure your baby wears mittens in cold weather to keep his or her hands from becoming dry and chapped from the cold and the wind. In summer, take steps to protect your baby from sunburn by keeping him or her out of direct sunlight as much as possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
Could dry skin be a sign of some other kind of condition?If your baby has itchy red patches on the skin, it's possible he or she has eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. Sometimes even eczema will clear up with regular moisturizing, though, so you needn't rush to the doctor unless the patches don't get better or your baby seems itchy or uncomfortable.
Should I talk with the doctor about my baby's dry skin?At your baby's next doctor's visit, ask for recommendations for battling dry skin. Schedule a visit if you think your baby has signs of eczema. Also call for an appointment if your baby's skin doesn't improve with home treatments or you see any signs of an infection, like a yellow discharge or swelling around a crack in the skin.
