Being a new parent comes with mixed feelings. Feelings of excitement and an overpowering protective love, and sometimes scariness when you realise baby doesn’t come with instructions. But giving your newborn baby the correct hygiene from birth will ensure them a healthy start in life.
Here are some pointers to help you give your newborn baby the best start in life:
1. Bathing:
Newborn babies should be sponge bathed every day until the umbilical cord drops off. Wash the face, hands, neck and bottom with a soft cloth and warm water. Pat baby dry with a soft towel, paying special attention to creases in the neck, under the arms, between fingers and toes, and the bottom area. After the cord has fallen off, baby can be washed two to three times a week for the first year. Bathing more often may lead to dry skin and possible flaking. Hair should be washed once or twice a week.
Tip: When washing a baby girl, use a wet cotton wool ball to wipe inside the vagina, always start at the front and gently wipe towards the back. For baby boys, gently rinse the genital area with water while bathing.
2. Umbilical cord:
From a hygienic point of view, this is an area that needs extra special attention for the first few weeks of your baby’s life until it falls off. The belly button or cord needs to heal naturally by keeping it dry and clean. The umbilical cord should be cleaned at least twice a day, or with every nappy change to prevent it from becoming sore and infected. Regular cleaning will also keep the cord dry and will encourage it to fall off naturally without any problems. Using cooled boiled water and a soft cloth (or ear bud), gently wipe the area. Pat the area with a soft, dry cloth, and repeat the cleaning process for at least a week after the stump has fallen off.
Tip: Avoid using cotton wool as fine fibres can get stuck to the cord and don’t use baby powder, lotion or oil on or around the cord. Until the stump dries and falls off, keep baby’s nappy off her belly button.
3. Nails:
A baby’s finger and toenails grow quickly and need constant care to prevent them from scratching themselves. The fingernails need to be trimmed about twice a week, and the toenails at least twice a month. Baby’s nails are delicate so it’s best to use baby nail clippers or rounded nail scissors. Be careful not to cut the nails too short, as this will hurt your baby. Never bite your baby’s nails off – this can put your baby at risk of an infection.
Tip: The best time to trim baby’s nails is when they are asleep.
4. Ears:
Using a soft, wet cloth or a cotton wool ball that has been soaked in warm water, wipe behind your baby’s ears right into the crease and around the outside of your baby’s ears – but never the inside. Do not use soap. If baby is niggly and constantly rubbing their ear, this could be a sign of an infection. See a clinic doctor or nurse as soon as possible.
Tip: Never use ear buds to clean your baby’s ears as they can push it in further and cause damage to their soft eardrums.
5. Eyes:
Use a new cotton wool ball for each eye. Soak the cotton wool in warm water and gently wipe from the inside corner closest to the nose to the outside corner.
Tip: Get medical advice if your baby’s eyes seem irritated and red.
6. Nose:
Use a cotton wool ball soaked in warm water. Gently wipe around each nostril to clean away dried mucous.
Tip: Never use ear buds or anything else to clean baby’s nostrils as these can damage the sensitive lining of the nose and cause bleeding and damage.
Also see: How to get a newborn to sleep at night
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