Many first-time moms find themselves wondering what it will be like to get home with their first baby. Some newborn care tips are passed from mother to daughter, but others can only be mastered in practice—gaining confidence as you care for your newborn once you arrive home after leaving the maternity hospital.

Newborn care topics like soft spot, trimming nails, burping and putting baby to sleep are some of the subjects we’ve already covered on Famivita. But what is it really like to get home and, without any help, breastfeed and care for the baby’s umbilical cord stump if it hasn’t fallen off yet? Let’s find out!

Newborn Care – Bath Time

Bath time is dreaded by many first-time moms—handling such a tiny baby, especially with soapy hands, can cause true panic! But don’t worry, it’s all simpler than you might think! Bathing is one of the first steps in newborn care, and the mother – even inexperienced – can absolutely do it!

When giving your newborn a bath, it’s important to have everything close at hand and easily accessible. So, gathering everything you’ll need before bath time is key.

  • Liquid head-to-toe or bar soap
  • Cotton
  • Shampoo, if desired
  • Cloth towel
  • Diaper
  • Diaper rash ointment or cornstarch
  • Cotton swab
  • Comb and brush

Before starting your newborn’s bath, it’s important to know that the ideal temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius, which can be measured by thermometers made for baby tubs. You can also check the temperature with your forearm; if it feels pleasant to you, it won’t be too cold or hot for the baby.

Always clean the baby before placing him or her in the tub—it’s important to remove all stool if present. The baby may cry a lot during bath time, but don’t worry, this is normal! Some people say it’s the fear of falling, since the baby feels unprotected. Holding your baby may feel scary at first, so how you hold them makes a big difference. Arm behind the back, supporting the head and holding beneath the armpit, gives a firm grip.

Bath Video

Dry the baby’s head well using a very soft cloth towel, then the rest of the body, including in the creases. Dress the baby carefully and gently to avoid hurting them. The cotton swab is used to clean the nostrils and to remove excess earwax, if present.

Other Newborn Care

After the bath, it’s time for other aspects of newborn care, such as cleaning the umbilical cord stump and the diaper area when changing diapers. Changing diapers is certainly one of the easier parts of newborn care, and it’s important to remember that after every feeding the baby should have a fresh diaper, since a newborn’s skin is very sensitive and urine or stool can cause irritation. Always use a diaper rash cream or even cornstarch to help prevent fungal infections as well.

Essential Care

After a bath and with each diaper change, be sure to dry the baby with moist cotton or baby wipes. Then, just as after a bath, dry the diaper area thoroughly, including the groin and buttocks. For the umbilical cord stump, it’s important to use 70% alcohol at every diaper change.

The umbilical stump doesn’t hurt; if the baby cries, it’s only because the alcohol feels cold. Even after the stump has fallen off, if the navel remains open, don’t worry. Just continue cleaning the area at every diaper change with 70% alcohol and soon it will completely close. If it takes longer than 10 days to start this process, check with your pediatrician about silver nitrate.

Baby Care Video

Do Babies Feel Colder Than Adults?

It’s also very important to mention that babies don’t actually feel colder than we do as adults—the way we feel the room temperature is how your newborn will feel, too. The habit of swaddling a baby tightly is more about mimicking the snugness of the womb, which can make the baby feel more secure and calm.

To check if your baby is cold, just look at their hands and feet. If they are mottled with white and red, that’s a sign your baby is cold. If their cheeks are flushed, it means they’re hot, and their temperature may reach 37.3°C (99°F) without having a fever—just from wearing too many clothes!

Enjoy this early time with your baby! Take lots of photos because it goes by so quickly!

Do you have a topic suggestion? Just leave your question or idea in the comments!

See also: Basic Manual: How to Care for a Baby – Hiccups and Sleep Position

Photo: Sergiu Bacioiu

_ Caixa de Informações Chave:

  1. Bath time is dreaded by many first-time moms—handling such a tiny baby, especially with soapy hands, can cause true panic!
  2. Before starting your newborn’s bath, it’s important to know that the ideal temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius, which can be measured by thermometers made for baby tubs.
  3. It’s important to remember that after every feeding the baby should have a fresh diaper, since a newborn’s skin is very sensitive and urine or stool can cause irritation.
  4. To check if your baby is cold, just look at their hands and feet. If they are mottled with white and red, that’s a sign your baby is cold.