NEW BABY ESSENTIALS

HYGIENE IN BABIES

For the baby’s health and wellness, it’s essential to maintain and practice good hygiene. Not just about feeding and putting the baby to sleep, healthy hygiene habits also need to be a part of the baby’s growth and development. Appropriate hygiene is necessary to keep infections and other ailments at bay.

Right after the baby is born, certain parts of the body need to be cleansed and suitable hygiene maintained.

Umbilical Cord

Always clean the cord as you change the diaper to keep it dry and prevent any form of infection.
Until the cord falls off, maintain proper hygiene.
Wipe the area around the cord with cotton dipped in antiseptic.
Keep the diaper folded below the belly button to avoid contact with the cord.

Circumcision for Boys

Wipe the area clean gently with soap and water.
Slight reddish color and discharge is normal.
Contact your baby’s pediatrician if any abnormalities are noticed.

Bathing Your Baby

Bathing your baby thrice a week should be enough.
Give sponge baths everyday until the cord heals with the sponge dipped in warm water and wiped out clean.
Handle the baby with soft hands while bathing him.
Use no soap on his face, mild soap for the rest of the body is suggested.

Diapers

Always have clean diapers on your baby once they soil them.
Never neglect and leave on diapers with urine and baby’s waste.
Cleanse the area with soap and water and wipe the area before you put diapers on your baby.
Always have a supply of warm water, soap and wipes handy.
Watch out for a diaper change at all times as babies have erratic urinating habits.
Use proper but not so strong detergents on cloth diapers.

Ears and Nose

Proper hygiene of the ears and nose needs to be maintained.

Do not wash the insides of the ears, cleanse on the outer lobes with water.
Avoid using cotton swabs to clean the insides of the ears, otherwise it might damage the ear drum.
Wipe out the mucus in and around the nose gently , this could otherwise cause difficulty in breathing .
If the baby gets edgy with continuous tugging of the ears and nose inspite of proper cleansing, consult the pediatrician to check for any infections.

Baby’s Nails

Keep your baby’s nails clean and short. There is a risk of the baby scratching himself and dirt going into his mouth if the nails are long and messy.
Baby’s nails are soft and tender, be gentle while cutting the nails, his sleep time would be the best time for the job.
Baby nail clippers are easily available in stores; do not use other means of cutting the nails.
Also trim the tow nails and clean them regularly to avoid any dirt accumulating in them.