How to clean your baby correctly?
ByRohailAbout
Every mother loves to touch and feel her baby's skin. Baby's skin is so soft, smooth and delicate and every mother wants to take good care of it.
However, since a baby's skin is really soft and delicate, the question is how to clean it correctly without damaging it and, at the same time, ensuring cleanliness.
Every baby is precious to its mother and therefore a loving mother is cautious before trying random cleaning products and cleaning techniques on her baby.
The key here is knowing how to do it right to keep your baby's skin clean and soft.
This ensures the prevention of possible baby skin diseases of any kind or any other health problems that may develop due to poor skin hygiene.
Cleaning and hydration of the skin of the head.
Washing baby's head with baby shampoo is very important to keep it clean. Depending on the established schedule, you can wash the baby's head once or twice a week.
After washing your baby's head well, be sure to dry it well and apply some oil or a good moisturizer to keep the skin on your baby's head moist. Hydration is especially important because some babies have very dry scalp skin and suffer from skin problems if the skin is not kept moist.
baby face cleaning
Your child's pretty face definitely needs some extra care. In order to do this correctly, making sure not to damage the skin on your face and still ensure cleanliness, there are some recommended steps to follow.
Start by cleaning the baby's face with baby wipes or a wet washcloth. If you use a wet wipe, make sure it's clean and soft so it's not too harsh on baby's skin. Gently and carefully clean around the baby's eyes and ears.
You should also check your baby's ears for earwax, also called cerumen, which needs to be removed. This can be done by using baby headphones. When cleaning the baby's ears and removing the wax, it is very important to be careful, since your baby is very delicate and so are the ears.
Be sure to be very careful when using the headphones with your baby, as you may accidentally injure your baby's eardrum. Your baby may start to cry loudly as you try to clean his ear. This is very common, as your baby may be a little scared. Crying can also be the result of the mother inserting the headphones too deep into the baby's ear. Make sure it is soft and not too deep in the baby's ear when using the headphones.
When washing the baby's face, it is a good idea to clean the baby's neck. Be sure to use baby wipes all over the baby's neck to remove any dirt due to sweat or otherwise.
Also, when cleaning your baby's face, it's a good idea to check your baby's face and neck for any rashes or blemishes. Finish cleaning the baby's face by applying a moisturizing cream to prevent dry skin.
Clean your baby's body
Daily bathing is not absolutely necessary for your baby. Babies, especially infants and newborns, usually don't get out or move around much and therefore don't get very dirty. Washing your baby's body once or twice a week is generally considered sufficient.
Scrub baby's soft skin with a very soft sponge. Use a mild baby soap. While cleaning the entire body is a good idea, make sure you clean your baby's armpits properly, as the armpits tend to sweat and therefore dirt collects in the skin folds.
Then rub the baby's legs to remove the dirt. After rubbing the legs properly, rinse the baby's body with clean water. Your baby will now look clean and fresh. After scrubbing and rinsing, it's time to dry your baby's skin properly with a clean, soft baby towel. Be sure not to apply too much pressure to your baby's body as you towel dry him or her. Babies' bodies, especially newborns and infants, are very delicate and need to be handled with care.
At the end of the process of cleaning the baby's body, it is recommended to apply a little baby lotion (with or without fragrance) on the baby's body. Some people also prefer to put on some baby powder, especially under the armpits, to keep it dry and for the nice fragrance of the baby powder.
Cleaning the private parts of the baby
As mentioned above, your baby's delicate skin needs careful treatment. It is very important to regularly wash the private parts of the baby during the bath. Because baby's sensitive skin can easily develop rashes and other skin problems, regular cleaning of intimate areas is highly recommended.
Properly wash or clean your baby's private organs and be sure to dry them with a clean, soft towel or cloth. Once dry, be sure to moisten it with diaper lotion. Use the diaper lotion that best suits your baby's skin. However, some diaper lotions come with a fragrance, and sometimes the fragrance may be too strong for your baby. Be sure to use unscented lotions if you notice that your baby is fussy after using fragranced lotions.
Clean your baby's hands and feet
Proper cleaning of your baby's hands and feet is also necessary. As babies get older, they start to chew on their hands and feet. Germs can easily enter the baby's body through the mouth when she licks and sucks on her hands and feet. This can harm your baby's health and cause illness.
This is one of the main reasons why it is essential to thoroughly clean your baby's hands and feet. A baby's immune system is not as strong as an adult's, and therefore babies are more prone to infection and disease than adults if proper hygiene care is not provided.
Also, a baby's fingers and toes are very small and delicate. Cleaning your baby's fingers and toes requires comparatively more effort to clean.
Cleaning your baby's fingernails and toenails is also very important. This is because nails can get really dirty sometimes and cutting them properly is another big hassle. Be sure to properly dip your baby's fingers and toes in the water while washing. Doing this usually removes the dirt from the nails with ease.
After properly cleaning your hands and feet, use a soft sponge to clean the spaces between your fingers and toes, as dirt gets trapped in them.
Tips for better skin care
· Protects baby's skin from excess sun.
· Try to trim your baby's nails in time, as babies often scratch their skin.
· Wash baby clothes regularly, even if they are new.
· Protect your baby from insects by covering the baby's body.
· Avoid using strong skin care products, which can cause possible adverse skin reactions.
More baby toiletries
How to clean the baby's belly button?
Keep it clean: baby hygiene
How to clean your baby correctly?
baby's first bath
Baby care with sensitive skin
Cloth diapers: benefits, types and care
How to deal with diaper rash?
The wonderful world of baby poop
How to massage your baby?
Baby Diaper Changing Basics
FAQs
What is the best way to clean a baby? ›
Hold your baby securely with one hand, using your free hand to wash your baby's skin. Pay particular attention to their skin folds. Use plain water on their face, especially around their eyes and mouth, then use baby wash or soap on their skin and hair. Lift your baby gently out of the bath on onto a clean, dry towel.
Why is it important to keep your baby clean? ›Maintaining safe diapering and infant feeding practices is essential to reduce the spread of germs and prevent children and caregivers from getting sick.
When should I start cleaning my baby? ›A wait of at least 24 hours is recommended — for a very good reason. Mothers of teenagers, think back to the happy day when your son or daughter was born: Shortly after birth your infant was likely taken away from you. It was to be expected—after all, the baby needed to be cleaned up and washed off.
How do you clean a newborn and toddler? ›- Create a daily cleaning schedule.
- Vacuum before nap time. The white noise might just put your kid to sleep.
- Accept help whenever offered.
- Get into freezer cooking.
- Keep hands free for chores by wearing the kid in the house.
- Feeding.
- Diapering Essentials.
- Bedtime & Bathtime.
- Baby Clothing.
- Baby Gear.
- Health & Safety.
Baby Essentials for the First 3 to 4 Months
Baby linens, including crib and bassinet sheets, baby blankets, and swaddles. Babyproofing gear. Feeding gear. Diaper essentials.
- Stay in touch. It's easy to lose track of time and let one day (and night) slip right into the next when you're in the thick of it with a new baby. ...
- Join online groups. ...
- Start establishing a schedule. ...
- Share the load. ...
- Be gentle with yourself.
But for most families, bathing the baby two to three times a week is plenty after the first couple of weeks of life. In fact, we recommend delaying your newborn's first full bath for at least two weeks. Newborns shed about three layers of skin within their first week, which often surprises new parents.
How do I change and clean baby boy? ›Clean with fragrance-free and sensitive baby wipes or water and cotton wool, with only mild baby cleanser to avoid damaging their skin. Light scrubbing and towel drying should keep them and their bits safe.
How do I clean my baby's bottom? ›Use a cotton pad, wipe, etc., soaked with lukewarm water (approx. 38-40℃) just to remove poo and pee, and do not put on a new diaper before baby's skin is completely dry.
How can I prepare my baby at home? ›
- Plan a move well in advance. ...
- Prepare for your future needs. ...
- Batch cook before the birth. ...
- Put together a downstairs basket. ...
- Clear away the clutter. ...
- Invest in smart storage. ...
- Light the way. ...
- Rethink your spaces.
Most items can be washed on the gentle cycle in the washing machine. Baby gear made of plastic, like a jumperoo: If it's small enough to fit in a sink, use soap and water. If it's warm out, you can even hose it off with soap and water outside. Otherwise, it can be wiped down with a disinfectant solution (see above).
How do I manage my baby and work at home? ›- Work while your child sleeps. Take advantage of your children's naps to tackle the most pressing tasks. ...
- Share the load. ...
- Plan out your day and week as best you can. ...
- Work while you breastfeed or pump milk. ...
- Dress for work. ...
- Working while your children play.
- Declutter Once, then Declutter Regularly. ...
- Everything has a place, and everyone knows the place. ...
- Rotate toys, or create a toy checkout system. ...
- Keep baskets and racks kid-accessible. ...
- Establish cleaning routines. ...
- Clear your surfaces. ...
- Keep your systems simple.
- Car seat. The infant car seat sits at the top of the list because, at the end of the day, the hospital won't let you take the baby home without one. ...
- Crib or bassinet. ...
- Formula or breastfeeding supplies. ...
- Diapers and wipes. ...
- Changing table or pad. ...
- Bathtub. ...
- Clothes. ...
- Stroller or baby carrier.
- Cleaning baby's face, head, mouth and teeth. Wash your hands before washing baby's face, head, mouth and teeth. ...
- Care and cleaning for baby nails and umbilical cord. Trim baby's nails using special baby nail scissors or an emery board. ...
- Genital care and hygiene for babies. For a baby girl, wet a cotton ball.
One such indicator for newborn health is “the proportion of newborns who received all four elements of essential care”. The four elements are immediate and thorough drying, skin to skin contact, delayed cord clamping, and early initiation of breastfeeding.
What does a baby need for day care? ›Pack all the things your child needs, including bottles, formula, nappies, hat, spare clothes, medicines and medical record. Pack special comfort items if the setting allows them, like cuddly toys, blankets or books, or a family picture. Pack food if the child care service doesn't provide meals.
What do I need to prepare for a baby checklist? ›- Call the OB and set up your first appointment. ...
- Follow pregnancy health guidelines. ...
- Read up on pregnancy. ...
- Start telling people you're having a baby. ...
- Start to research daycare. ...
- Start to research what to buy. ...
- Find a pediatrician. ...
- Decide on your birth plan and hospital for delivery.
Encourage baby to play in a standing position. Have them stand without support by giving them toys to use in both hands while standing. Once they seem comfortable standing, it's time for a challenge! You can start by encouraging them to take individual steps over short distances.
How do I take care of a baby and work full time? ›
- Set up a family calendar.
- Find good child care and have a healthy relationship with your caregiver.
- Divide and conquer.
- Have a backup babysitter in place.
- Make your mornings as easy as possible.
- Get the support you need at work.
- Get baby to bed.
- Simplify dinner.
Newborn babies should only be bathed one to two times a week. Bathing your baby more than this can dry out his or her skin. Babies should not be placed in water for a bath until the umbilical cord has fallen off. Give your baby a sponge bath using a soft wash cloth and gentle soap until the umbilical cord has fallen ...
Should you wash your baby daily? ›A bath 2-3 times a week is enough to keep your newborn clean. But if your baby really likes baths, your baby can bath once a day. Bathing more than this can dry out your baby's skin. You can keep your baby's genitals clean between baths by using warm water and cotton wool.
How do you clean a baby's tongue? ›To clean your newborn's tongue, you should first wash your hands and then take a small piece of moist cloth or gauze around your finger and use it to gently rub the surface of the tongue in circular motions. A newborn's gums and tongue should be cleaned after every feeding.
How do you wipe a baby down instead of a bath? ›- Wash your baby's face using cotton wool.
- Wipe each eye with a separate piece of cotton wool, working from the inner corner outwards.
- Use a new piece of cotton wool to wipe around their mouth and nose.
- Take another piece of cotton wool and clean their ears, neck and face.
- Put a non-slip bath mat on the bathroom floor and one in the bath.
- Fill the bath with just enough water to wash your baby. ...
- Use warm (not hot) water, about 37°C or 38°C. ...
- Briefly run cold water through the tap.
- Gently lower your baby into the bath, keeping a hand on your baby at all times.
Begin by cleaning off the poo and then carefully wipe baby's bottom, genitals and in between creases. Wrapping a clean wipe around your finger will help you clean these tiny areas more easily. * Do not use bottom wipes on mucous membranes.
How do you clean a baby's nose? ›Try a rubber bulb syringe.
Parents often use rubber bulb syringes to suck mucus out of their babies' noses. This can be used with or without saline spray. However, saline spray thins hardened mucus and makes it easier to remove. When possible, use the bulb syringe when your baby is already relaxed.
Remember to keep your baby's face clean every day and don't forget about the neck area. You don't have to worry about using soap or any other product on your baby's face.
How do you take a baby a bath? ›And when you're taking a bath with your baby, keep both hands on her at all times. Try bending your knees and letting your little one recline against your thighs facing you. Keep her wet and warm. Use a plastic cup to pour water over your baby's body from time to time — that'll keep her from getting chilly.
How do you prepare a baby for a bath? ›
Preparing a newborn bath
Make sure the room is a comfortable temperature. Fill the bath with just enough warm water to wash your baby. Test the water with a bath thermometer, your wrist or elbow. The water should be 37-38°C and feel warm, not hot.
There's no real need to wipe your boy down after a wee. Modern nappies are highly absorbent to quickly soak up most of it, while urine rarely irritates their skin even if it does come into contact. Always wipe after a number two though.
How do you clean a poopy diaper? ›First, toss poop from the diaper directly into the toilet bowl. Then use a spray bottle full of water or a diaper sprayer (a small showerhead that attaches to your toilet) to rinse away as much residue as you can. Rinsing the diaper with water is key to helping stains come out in the wash.