How to Treat Dry Lips in Babies
May 26, 2025

How to Treat Dry Lips in Babies: Pediatrician-Approved Solutions

By Baby Forest Ayurveda

Have you noticed your babies often get their lips dry, which could look normal to you? Every feature of a baby tends to be soft and gentle, but their lips are mostly chapped, dry, and cracked. While it may seem like a minor issue, dry or chapped lips can cause discomfort and could be due to dehydration or exposure to harsh weather. However, there are various pediatrician-approved solutions to treat dry lips in babies.

Common Causes of Dry Lips in Babies

Common Causes of Dry Lips in Babies

Cold and Dry weather

Weather conditions can be one of the major reasons for chapped lips in babies, which can irritate them. The cold and windy weather holds less moisture, creating low humidity levels, resulting in dry and flaky lips. Also, babies produce less saliva during winter, which can make the lips feel dry more often.

Harsh UV Exposure

Like windy and cold weather conditions can cause dry lips in babies, even harsh UV rays are not suitable for the baby's soft and gentle skin. Babies haven’t yet developed strong skin defenses, and thus, the lack of natural oil barrier losses due to harsh sun exposure.

Low Hydration Levels

Low hydration levels can cause chapped lips in babies. An infant or newborn doesn’t get enough fluids; therefore, their body contains less moisture to keep the skin soft and hydrated. Lips are very sensitive and dry out too quickly. Without enough water, they can become dehydrated, dry, cracked, and uncomfortable for the baby.

Repeated Lip contact during feeding

A mother feeds their baby every 2-3 hours, and that keeps their lips constantly wet while sucking the milk. If not, when being breastfed, they are often licking or drooling, which can result in excessive saliva due to a lack of teeth, which can create friction between the lips. It can cause a baby to have dry, flaky, and cracked lips, which can also lead to allergies if not treated well.

Dry air intake during mouth breathing

Mouth breathing can lead to chapped lips in babies. While they don’t always breathe through their mouth, babies often do when they have a cold or blocked nose. Breathing through the mouth dries out the lips, which can cause them to become dry, cracked, and sore over time.

Are Dry Lips in Babies Common?

As a parent, you want to protect your baby from every little discomfort and keep them safe and secure. While dry lips can be common due to various reasons such as weather conditions, constant licking and drooling, and harsh sun rays, it’s very important to follow a proper baby dry lips remedy so that your baby’s lips are moisturized, preventing discomfort in intaking breast milk and supporting their overall well-being.

Safe Solutions to Treat Dry Lips in Babies

Mothers are cautious when it comes to their babies and often wonder why their babies’ lips are dry or chapped. While dry lips are common in babies, it’s essential to follow a proper baby dry lips remedy so that the baby gets long-lasting protection and nourishing hydration.

Treat Dry Lips in Babies

Moisturizing Lip Balm: A vegan and natural lip balm is the safest way to keep babies' lips moisturized and comfortable all day long. Applying a thin layer of nourishing lip balm to the baby's delicate lips can soothe and prevent chapping. It creates a protective barrier for the baby’s lips from harsh weather conditions and provides the goodness of nature.

Organic Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil: If you are looking for an alternative, then coconut oil is another safe treatment for babies' lips. Chemical-free coconut oil includes antibacterial and antifungal properties that heal, hydrate, and soothe babies' dry and chapped lips, giving them soft and rosy lips.

Natural Aloe Vera Gel: Gently rubbing a small amount of organic aloe vera gel on babies' lips can soothe the soreness and redness of dry lips in babies. It’s usually preferred to do so while they are asleep so that they do not wipe it off and thus wake up feeling soft, nourished, and relieved of any discomfort.

Signs and Symptoms of Dry Lips in Babies

If your baby's lips are frequently dry and cracked, here’s what to look out for that can help you catch it early and keep your baby comfortable and smiling. Let’s go over the symptoms and signs of dry lips in babies.

  • Extreme dryness and creakiness
  • Redness and dry texture
  • Constant lip licking
  • Fussy and uncomfortable while breastfeeding
  • Dry white patches around the lips
  • Slight darkening of the lips

Protecting Baby's Lips: Do's and Don'ts

If you are a mother, here’s what you need to know for your baby’s lip care. You cannot experiment with products when it comes to your baby, so take this as a helpful guide.

Do’s Don’ts
Applying a hydrating and nourishing lip balm Avoid using any adult lip care products on the baby
Using a natural lip balm to keep it smooth and soft Don’t scrub or peel off the dry skin
Feeding from time to time to keep the baby hydrated Avoid taking your baby out during harsh weather conditions
Use a humidifier to add enough moisture Wipe off the saliva with a gentle and soft cloth

Benefits of Using Lip Care Products for Babies

You are already on the safer side if you’ve been using a lip care product for your baby. But how does it benefit a child? Let’s see some of its healthy benefits.

Benefits of Using Lip Care Products for Babies

Nourishment and Hydration

Providing lip care for your baby is a must because babies usually have dry and chapped lips. Therefore, using a gentle and nourishing lip balm can keep your baby protected, leaving them feeling joyful and cozy.

Long-lasting Protection

Applying a thin layer of baby lip balm on those soft and rosy lips can provide them long-lasting protection. Organic essential oils used in lip balms create a breathable layer over the lips, perfect for their sensitive lips.

Comfortable Feeding and healthy growth

A baby needs to be breastfed every 2 to 3 hours, and if they have dry lips, it can be uncomfortable for the intake of milk. However, breast milk is the only source of nutrition for newborns, and if they are not fed well, they might be irritated and fussy most of the time.

Locks in Moisture

Babies have thinner and more sensitive lips than adult skin and thus easily lose moisture due to constant lip licking and drooling. So, to treat dry lips in babies using an organic and natural formula, baby lip balms can lock in moisture and support natural healing.

Goodness of Natural and organic protection

Baby lip care products are usually made using organic, plant-based essential oils, which bring the goodness of nature. Using these safe lip balms for babies can work as a dry lip newborn treatment, making it soft, shiny, smooth, and nourished.

Madhur Muskaan Baby Lip Balm

Why Use Madhur Muskaan Baby Lip Balm?

Choosing the right baby lip balm can be a little tricky because not all lip balms are safe, fragrance-free, and chemical-free for your little one. But we’ve got you covered! The Madhur Muskaan Baby Lip Balm is 100% natural, Ayush-certified, and contains no fragrance or color. It has essential oils such as coconut oil, chamomile oil, aloe vera oil, and all the essential oils that are needed for your baby's glowing, plump, and soft lips.

What makes it better?

Here’s why Madhur Muskan Baby Lip Balm is an essential add-on to your baby's skincare routine.

  • Enriched with moisturising oils
  • Infused with nature’s goodness
  • Chemical and paraben-free
  • Finest organic ingredients
  • No use of antioxidants

When to Consult a Pediatrician?

A parent's instincts can never be wrong, and if you feel something’s not right, you need to quickly take your baby and see a pediatrician. Be it a newborn or a toddler, chapped lips in babies can be common, but if it’s persistent, it’s something you need to be concerned about.

No Signs of Healing: If applying baby lip balm regularly and keeping babies well-hydrated doesn’t treat dry lips, it’s a good time to reach out to a pediatrician.

Bleeding or peeling develops: While a bit of dryness is common, lips that begin to crack or peel may need a closer look. These signs might mean the skin is more irritated, and your pediatrician can recommend gentle ways to heal and protect it.

Babies show signs of dehydration: Watch for signs like a dry mouth and fewer wet diapers than usual due to lack of hydration. If the baby seems less active or isn’t feeding well, a visit to the pediatrician can help ensure they are hydrated and nourished.

Mild Fever: When a baby gets affected by mild fever, irritability, or unusual fussiness, it’s a good idea to consult a pediatrician. Sometimes, dry lips can be part of a bigger issue, like a mild virus, and getting an expert opinion is the best solution.

Conclusion

Hey Mama, we know how every little sign feels big when it is about your little one. But don’t worry, dry lips are usually harmless and easy to treat with gentle care and the right baby-safe products. Trust your instincts, keep your little one hydrated, and when in doubt, your pediatrician is just a visit away. You’re doing an amazing job because your baby’s smile says it all!

Read More: Does Your Baby Need Face Cream? Here's What You Should Know

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my baby have dry lips?

Dry lips in babies can be caused by weather, sun exposure, dehydration, teething, or lip-licking. It can also happen if their skin is irritated or exposed to harsh elements.

How do you rehydrate a baby's lips?

To rehydrate the baby's lips, apply a gentle, baby-safe lip balm; use a humidifier in the room; and ensure your baby is drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated.

How often should I moisturize my baby’s lips?

You should moisturize your baby’s lips as needed, generally 2-3 times a day, especially in dry weather or if lips appear chapped. Always use a safe, chemical-free, baby-friendly lip balm.

Do dry lips mean dehydration in babies?

Dry lips can be a sign of dehydration, but they may also be due to other factors. If your baby shows other signs like fewer wet diapers or constant lip-licking, you must consult your pediatrician.

What is the best baby lip balm for dry lips?

You can use 100% natural and vegan Madhur Muskaan Baby Lip Balm, which improves lip dryness, is made for long-lasting protection, and is enriched with the goodness of nature.

When should I worry about my baby’s chapped lips?

If your baby’s lips stay dry or bleed, or if they have a fever or signs of dehydration, talk to a pediatrician. These could be signs of underlying health problems.

Baby Forest Ayurveda

Baby Forest Ayurveda is a baby care brand rooted in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, offering safe, natural, and clinically-backed products. Through the Baby Forest blog, the author shares trusted tips, holistic remedies, and gentle parenting guidance for modern parental needs.

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