Few parents are prepared and aware of all the hygiene care they need to have with their newborn. However, baby hygiene is a fundamental point for providing a healthy life for your children. Throughout the day, they require specific care, especially in the first days after birth.
How to Maintain Good Baby Hygiene?
After birth, the baby already needs special care regarding hygiene. Every fold should be cleaned thoroughly, and all urine and feces residues must be completely removed to prevent diaper rash. Ears and nose also deserve special attention. A baby who is always clean will have a lower risk of getting infections and will remain healthy.
Babies are so cute, cuddly, and sweet-smelling, aren’t...
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Newborn baby hygiene begins with some very simple rules. Diapers should be changed very frequently. Around 8 units are needed per day, in addition to cleaning the private areas correctly with cotton and warm water in order to remove all residues of urine and feces. Especially in the case of girls, there may be some difficulties since they have a more complex genital area. The use of baby wipes is allowed, but it is best to avoid scented ones that can cause allergies on the baby's very sensitive skin. In fact, they can be saved for times when the mother needs to go out with the baby.
The umbilical stump, which is the remaining part of the umbilical cord, deserves special attention in the first days of life. It should be properly cleaned with a cotton swab and 70% alcohol at every diaper change and kept dry until it turns black and falls off. This usually happens on average between 7 and 21 days of life.
Another point that raises many questions regarding baby hygiene is the timing of the baby's bath. Many parents prefer to give a bath around lunchtime as it is the warmest time of day, but this is not a rule. Some choose to bathe their baby before bedtime, because besides being able to count on their partner's help, they believe the baby will relax and sleep better. The ideal time is whenever you wish, as long as the water is at the appropriate temperature and the room is free from drafts. To check the water temperature, you can use your forearm or a bath thermometer, which should read around 36.5 to 37 degrees Celsius.
Eyes, nose, and ears also require hygiene care. As they are small and delicate openings, you need to use a cotton swab or gauze to finish the cleaning. Eyes should be cleaned with gauze and warm water, wiping all secretions from the outside in. Ears should be cleaned along every fold and edge, not forgetting the back. The nostril should be cleaned with the help of saline solution or after the bath using a cotton swab appropriate for babies.
As for the hygiene of the nails, some babies are born with very long nails, especially on the hands. However, it is not recommended to cut them in the first days since they are still soft and flexible, which can cause bleeding. But if they become excessively long and start to scratch the baby, use baby scissors or nail clippers with rounded tips, or simply try to remove them by hand since they are so thin that they come off without resistance.
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