Caring for a newborn is an overwhelming task and responsibility; from feeding to pooping, everything in between must be looked after with utmost attention. If you are a parent or a caregiver, you must know that some tips can help set you in the right direction. However, always speak to your doctor about all the safe practices in baby personal hygiene and care. In the meanwhile, here are some basic tips you can check out.
Baby personal hygiene tips
Here are some of the must-dos for daily hygiene that the caregiver must practice:
A general rule of thumb is always to wash your hands before and after cleaning. Start by washing the baby’s eyes using a clean wet cloth or cotton. You can even use warm water to wet the cloth. Gently wipe the eyes while closed, from the inner eye to the outer eye.
Use the same method to wipe behind and around the ears as well. Do not put anything inside the ear; just gently wipe around it. To wash the baby’s scalp, gently splash water on their scalp and hair. You can then use a clean towel to gently rub back and forth on the scalp to dry the hair and skin.
A baby’s nails can grow quickly, and the infant can accidentally hurt themselves while flailing their arms around. Make use of baby nail scissors.
The navel area is often ignored and needs special care. This is where the umbilical cord was attached, and it still needs some healing after birth. Always keep it clean and dry after a bath. Also, do not pull up the diaper to cover the stump; let it breathe.
Genital care is also critical in everyday hygiene. For a baby girl, gently clean between the labia by holding the baby’s legs apart. The cleaning motion should always start from the front and gently wipe backward.
Since the baby is usually always in diapers, it is recommended that they get some nappy-free time and let their bottoms air dry to help prevent any possible diaper rash.
Dental care for babiesWhile babies may not have any teeth yet, they still need oral healthcare from birth. Practicing these oral habits will ensure that your baby has healthy gums and teeth in the coming years. Here’s what you should know:
If your baby is under six months of age, after feeding, take a clean wet cloth and use it to gently clean their gums. Massage the tissues slightly to ensure good circulation, and any remaining food can be cleaned using the cloth.
When your baby is teething, give them a teething ring or a clean, cold, wet cloth that they can teeth on. This helps reduce gum itchiness and inflammation.
Once the teeth come in, continue to gently massage their gums with a wet cloth after feeding, but also introduce a soft bristle toothbrush without any toothpaste, when they are between 6 to 12 months of age.
After 12 months, get a dental exam to ensure everything is okay, and then follow the advice of the dentist for further care.
Remedies for baby health issues
Home remedies come in handy for some small and quick fixes, but always be extra careful about what remedies are safe for children.
If you stay in a cold and dry region leading to dry, itchy skin, give your baby an oatmeal bath instead of slathering unsafe moisturizing products. Grind oatmeal into a fine powder, add it to the warm water till it turns into a soft paste. Add this paste to the bath water and let the baby sit in it for 15-20 minutes.
Adding prunes to your baby’s food, if they are on a soft food regime, can be extremely helpful during constipation. Their digestive system is still developing, so constipation can be an issue. Adding small pieces of prunes acts as a natural laxative.
Overall healthcare for babies
It is important to speak to your pediatrician and get a timeline in place for various vaccinations and other physical checks for the baby. These checks can include measuring their weight, height, head circumference, observing their vision and hearing capabilities, watching the baby’s breathing, heart rate, temperature, giving vitamin K right after birth, and such.
While it is advised to not use too many products on babies, speak to your doctor and get some advice on what kind of soaps, shampoo and cleaning products to use for daily hygiene. Consider safe products like baby oil, powder, detergent, diaper rash ointment, and such.
