Newborn Care: Everything You Need to Know to Give the Best Care to Your New Baby

Many new parents view caring for a new family member as complex.

Indeed, your baby is gorgeous and probably the most minor and sweetest human ever born, but even the most impressive babies need a little grooming now and then.

And, as you’ve already realized, newborns don’t come with manuals, so some expert tips have been put together to help keep your baby looking (and feeling) as good as possible.

How to take care of the umbilical cord?

This remarkable organ that kept you nourished throughout your pregnancy has a bit of yuck factor outside of the uterus when you’re waiting to dry out and fall off, which usually takes one to two weeks.

With each diaper change, gently cleanse the tummy area with warm water, allowing the cord to stay dry.

Avoid tucking it into the diaper, which Michelle Ponti, a pediatrician in London, Ontario, says could trap moisture and make the area “pretty dirty and stinky” pretty quickly.

See your healthcare provider if you notice any odor, redness, swelling, cat, or if your baby seems feverish or irritable.

 

During a bath, it’s okay if the cord gets a little wet, as long as it is allowed to air dry afterward, says pediatric naturopath Hillary Dinning of Calgary. And please note that you should not hit or hit the sensitive area by accident.

Bathroom

Expect to give your baby a bath for about the first week of life.

Most newborn skin is covered in a creamy, white substance called vernix caseosa, primarily made up of oils from a baby’s sweat glands. This layer acts as a barrier, protecting your baby’s skin in the womb.

After birth, Dinning says this natural coating protects bacteria while keeping your baby’s skin moisturized and sensitive. The vernix will go away within five to 10 days, and it is an excellent time to give your baby his first bath.

Ponti says that all your baby needs to stay fresh and clean is a sponge bath (rather than a dunk in the sink or tub) in the first month of life.

Wash your baby’s body with a soft cloth soaked in warm water, using soap only when needed (e.g., after a dirty spit or a difficult diaper change) up to three times a week.

You may also need to clean up other minor eating disorders and changes.

Once you start giving your baby more intense baths after the first month, one to three times a week is enough to keep them clean. Ponti recommends fragrance-free soap specially formulated for babies.

Remember that soaps formulated for babies don’t foam much, so “don’t keep pouring more and more into the water, expecting bubbles,” explains Ponti.

Genitals

When washing, treat your baby’s genitals like any other part of the body in the bath by gently rinsing the area with warm water, from front to back, so that girls do not spread bacteria.

Ponti says to dry the baby after the bath to prevent his skin from getting cold, then let the skin air dry before applying a barrier cream (only when you notice it is a bit red from the diaper rash).

He also cautions about baby powder to help dry your baby’s genitals or other purposes, as the fine powder can easily travel to your baby’s lungs.

If your son has been circumcised, bathe him carefully with lukewarm water every day for a whole week after surgery. After each bath, apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the end of the penis to protect it from the diaper while it is tender and healing.

Apply this topical barrier after each bath and diaper change until it completely healed, usually within ten days.

Skin

It’s true; Your baby’s skin is already perfectly smooth, but it is recommended that you apply a suitable baby lotion regularly to keep your skin hydrated, “allowing it to act as a good barrier against infection.”

Dry patches are also prone to Cracks, making the area vulnerable to bacteria or fungi.

Around two to four weeks of age, it is widespread for babies to develop an acne rash on the face, with small pimples covering their cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. They can even spread to the body.

They are caused by the mother’s hormones still circulating in the baby’s body, so there is nothing you can do to prevent it.

But don’t panic; this ugly duckling stage is temporary and will resolve in two to six weeks. “It can be tempting to choose it or wash it or cream it,” says Dinning, adding that there aren’t many parents can do to speed up the process.

Just clean your face with lukewarm water at bath time and never pick up pimples that could delay healing. However, see your healthcare provider if the rash gets worse over time, as it could be an allergy, eczema, or a symptom of something more serious.

Scalp

Not only parents and caregivers should be aware of fontanelles, which are soft spots on a baby’s head where the skull bones have not yet fused, but the skin on the baby’s scalp is also very delicate and can be scratched easily.

Avoid rubbing the scalp too hard while shampooing your baby’s hair, and look at the crib lid, waxy spots that often form on the baby’s head.

Opinions differ as to why babies develop these spots – it could be another reaction to mom’s hormones or a form of yeast infection. But they are ubiquitous in babies three months and older.

The stitches come off in a few months; parents can help loosen the stains by moistening their baby’s head with water or olive oil and gently encouraging the scales to be lifted with a brush or soft cloth.

Because the scales on the crib top can be itchy in some babies, Dining advises applying a moisturizing layer of shea butter or coconut oil after a bath.

Don’t worry about washing your baby’s hair too often. If you have a luxurious mane or just a few breakouts, Ponti says a gentle massage with unscented baby-formulated shampoo is all you need no more than a few times a week.

If your hair needs to be detangled, use a baby brush with extra soft bristles to avoid irritating the scalp.

Nails

Not only do they look neater, but trimmed fingernails and toenails are also safer for babies. Dinning says they can scratch themselves, especially very young babies who haven’t figured out how to control their hands.

Because adult-sized clippers make it challenging to see if you are cutting your nails or skin, clippers are recommended to avoid hurting your baby.

Round the edges with a baby nail file to remove any sharp points, and if scissors make you nervous, Ponti says you don’t need to limit the nails until your child is a little older. Although some parents try to bite their nails, this is not recommended because it can spread bacteria or break the skin.

Ears

Your baby’s ears, like yours, will clean themselves naturally, without the need for a cotton swab.

You can use a warm washcloth to clean any obvious drainage around the outer ear area but leave only the inner ear. Even if you manage to get some wax out of the inner ear with a cotton swab, you risk pressing harder.

Eyes

We all have a slight crust or discharge in our eyes from time to time.

The best way to remove it is to soak a baby wipe or cotton ball in clean water and gently rub the eye area, starting from the inner corner (closest to the nose) and working towards the outer corner.

Because cold and flu viruses can cause pink eye, also known as pink eye, wash your hands before handling your baby if you are sick.

Watch for redness or discharge from the eyes, which could be a sign of conjunctivitis, or a more severe infection, which your doctor should watch for in both cases.

Boca

With your baby’s sweet breath, it is hard to believe that bacteria are camping in your baby’s mouth even before teeth arrive, but it is essential to keep their gums clean and healthy by wiping them daily with a clean, damp cloth.

Once teeth appear, brush every day with a soft brush designed for babies, which Ponti says will keep your new teeth healthy and establish good oral hygiene habits.

But don’t worry about using a child-safe (fluoride-free) toothpaste until your baby is one, as they are likely to swallow it.