When a woman finds out her baby’s sex, she chooses the name, thinks about the clothes, the room, the color of the decor, but one thing that is often not considered is the hygiene of babies’ and children’s genitals. Some common questions arise regarding genital hygiene. If it’s a boy, how should I proceed? And if it’s a girl? Will it be more work? There are solutions for these questions that will make life easier for those starting out on this new journey! Boys’ hygiene seems to be simpler, while girls’ hygiene must follow certain standards1, in order to not result in any infection.
How is Genital Hygiene Done for Girls?
In the first weeks of life, girls’ genitals are usually swollen and red. Sometimes, there is a clear mucous discharge that can be white or slightly bloody. This is a normal situation caused by hormones. One of the most important principles of girls’ hygiene is to clean the perineal area from front to back, and never the other way around! This way, you’ll avoid transferring bacteria from the anus to the vagina2. Improper cleaning can cause diaper rash or redness. It can also be the cause of serious infections, so hygiene of the genital area of baby girls and young girls should be done gently and carefully. Clean every little corner, especially after she has a bowel movement. Limit cleaning to the area covered by the diaper, and, since babies usually have quite a lot of bowel movements, if possible, it is recommended to wash with running water.
Baby Wipes
It may take a bit more effort, but cleaning with baby wipes cannot be compared with washing with water and soap. And since this happens quite often, it’s much better than trying to remove the stool that sits between the small labia with towels. Although a bath is the most recommended way to perform genital hygiene in babies and children, when away from home other techniques should be used. Remember to be gentle, to avoid irritating the baby’s delicate skin. After removing all excess with wet wipes, use cotton swabs and warm water for the more difficult corners. To do this, first, gently separate the skin folds and clean them thoroughly, but always being careful with the dampened cotton swab. Always clean from the inside out, so that stool does not enter the vagina and urethra. Make sure you remove everything with the cotton swab. After every bath and diaper change, apply a thin layer of diaper rash cream on clean, and most importantly, dry skin. It is important to emphasize a thin layer, because unfortunately and repeatedly mothers apply a thick layer of cream, part of which stays between the small labia.
This can be irritating and cause infections after being used for a while. Talcum powder, although a favorite among most mothers, is not recommended for the hygiene of female babies and children as the powder gets trapped between the labia and even in the urethra. There are some reports about talcum powder. In one of them, the mother said the powder turned into a paste and blocked her daughter’s urethral opening, causing a urinary tract infection because the baby had trouble urinating.
How is Genital Hygiene Done for Boys?
Taking care of a boy is much less work. But, since urine can spread everywhere, it is necessary when washing or changing diapers to clean the entire area of the lower abdomen, buttocks, inner thighs, penis, and don’t forget the scrotal region underneath. Babies may urinate just as you are about to remove the diaper. For this reason, it is a good idea to hold the diaper in place for a few seconds. Remember not to pull back the skin that covers the head of the penis, known as the foreskin, because it cannot be separated from the penis during the first months or even years. Some pediatricians mistakenly recommend that you retract the foreskin for cleaning, but in reality, you don’t need to, and if you try to force it, you will likely hurt the baby causing irritation, which could result in infection. With boys, the direction in which you wash their genitals doesn’t really matter. Apply a thin layer of diaper rash ointment to clean and dry skin. Be sure to dry the skin completely under the scrotum. Sometimes, I didn’t do it properly and, unfortunately, my son’s skin got irritated, causing severe diaper rash. If the baby has undergone circumcision, the same rules mentioned above should be followed. It is especially important, right after the removal of the foreskin, to observe whether the wound is healing properly3. Redness and yellowish discharge are normal symptoms, but if the swelling persists for longer, if there’s severe redness or yellowish blistering are signs that require an immediate doctor’s visit. In addition, it’s important to check if your son is urinating properly. If the stream is interrupted, or there are only drops, the opening may not be sufficiently exposed, or he may have an infection. In any case, it is best not to wait and to present the issue to the pediatrician.
How is Genital Hygiene Done for Older Children?
As with babies, genital hygiene for older children follows the same pattern: Girls should always be cleaned from front to back and, when possible, washed with soap and water. For boys, it is not necessary to retract the foreskin for cleaning, but it is very important to keep the area dry, especially after the child urinates and after bath time. Furthermore, as your child grows, teach them to clean themselves. Always wash hands after using the bathroom. It is also important to change underwear every day, after bath time, or if it becomes soiled. Cleaning the genitals of babies and children should be careful, but not obsessive, and should be done at least once a day in children who are no longer using diapers. However, with babies, the genital area should be cleaned every time the diaper is changed, which can happen 5 to 10 times a day. See also: Candidiasis in Babies – Is It Possible for My Baby to Have This?
Photos: Gridkid
