Here is a startling fact. Acne is not just for teenagers or adults. There is another group of people who are also prone to developing acne. That group – babies. So if you think having acne is terrible as a teenager or adult, just take a moment to thing about a new born baby suffering from acne.

You would think that nature could be kinder by sparing babies the misery of suffering so much discomfort when they are not even able to communicate. But unfortunately, that's just the way it is.

Babies do suffer from acne and there isn't much that you or they can do except to put up with it and make them as comfortable as possible.

Why do babies get acne? You may be at your wits' end when you are faced with a squalling baby and cannot fathom what could possibly be the problem. But once you face up to the fact that your baby is suffering from acne, you will feel better if you know a little about it.

Baby acne is caused by the transfer of hormones from the mother's body, through the placenta. These hormones have the effect of stimulating the secretion of oil in the baby's skin. As a result, your baby may develop acne.

Baby acne usually appears at an age when babies are generally cranky and you can be sure that you will be in for more than a few sleepless nights!

What to expect with baby acne. You'll find that baby acne generally appears when your baby is about three or four weeks old. It shows up in the form of bumps on the baby's cheeks, forehead or chin.

Once it has made an appearance, the acne may be visible off and on until the baby is between four and six months old.

Coping with your baby's acne. Unfortunately, since this is normal and will simply have to clear up in its own time, there isn't very much you can do. The best thing you can do is to keep your baby's skin clean and make sure that he or she is as comfortable as possible.

It would help to wash your baby's face with water. Using mild soap once daily would also be a good idea.

Watch for milk or saliva dribbling from the baby's mouth, which could irritate the skin and should be wiped away. You should also take care to avoid using harsh laundry detergents.

The best thing you can do for yourself while you are coping with your baby's acne is to try and relax. If you are really worried, perhaps you could consult a pediatrician. Remind yourself that your baby's acne will clear up in time and will be nothing more than a distant memory in a short while.

Baby acne - passing phase. Instead of fretting, remember that your time with your baby is very precious. It's also a time that will not return so make the most of it while you can. Once your baby's acne has cleared up, you will probably wonder why it upset you so much.

Circumstances may be a little different the next time your child develops acne. By then, you'll have a teenager on your hands and a whole new set of problems, as your child advances towards adulthood.

So do try to take it easy and remember that it's much more important to enjoy the time you spend with your baby. Acne and other problems may come and go but your child is growing and changing every day. Wouldn't it be a shame for you to let your baby's acne to get in the way?