Baby care: Baths, nails and hair
Unfortunately
for new parents, babies don't come with instruction manuals. So even when it
comes to the simplest tasks like bathing and nail trimming, some parents feel
overwhelmed.
If
you're unsure about the basics of childcare, here's a handy guide to help you
make childcare as easy as loving your child.
Baby baths
Until
your baby's umbilical cord falls out, which usually happens after the first
week, don't bathe him. Instead, let your child bathe with a sponge or head and
tail. Circumcised boys should not be bathed until the penis is completely
healed. Here's how:
- Lay your baby on a towel. If it is cold, you can take off one item of clothing at a time while you wash your baby.
- Gently wash your baby's face with a lukewarm, wet washcloth. Don't use soap.
- Add soap to the wet cloth to wash your baby's body. Wash the diaper area last.
- Rinse your baby off with water and pat your baby dry.
- Cup your hand under warm water and gently pour it over your baby's head to wet your baby's hair.
- Put a small amount of baby shampoo on your baby's hair. Gently rub in a circular motion, and then use a plastic cup or your hand to rinse off the shampoo.
Do not
use lotions on your child and especially avoid products made for adults.
As
soon as the stump of the umbilical cord falls off, you can proceed to the
baths. Your child does not need a bath every day - two to three times a week
should be enough.
Whether
to bathe your baby in a baby bath, in a sink, or in a tub is up to you. But
because babies are slippery when they're wet, some parents feel better when
they can bathe in the smaller space of a baby tub or sink.
The
most important thing to remember about bathing is to never leave your baby
unattended. Babies can slip and quickly submerge even a few cm in water.
Using a child seat for bathing does not guarantee that your child will be safe
in the bath. Many seats can easily tip over. If you need to leave the room,
wrap your child in a towel and take it with you.
Here
are some tips for bathing your baby:
- Put a washcloth, soap and shampoo - everything you need for a bath, nearby. This way you don't have to leave the room while the baby is in the tub. Also lay out the diaper and clothes so that you can easily access them after bathing.
- Fill the tub with 5-8 cm of water. The tub should be warm, but not hot. To make sure the water is at the right temperature, test it first with your elbow. Make sure your water heater doesn't get hotter than 50°C so you don't accidentally burn your baby.
- Gently wash the baby's face with a damp cloth. Use a damp cotton swab or washcloth (not soap) to clean your child's eyes and face. Wipe from the inside of each eye outward. Be sure to remove any dried discharge from the nose and eyes.
- Wash a washcloth and clean the baby's body from top to bottom and from front to back. Be sure to clean the inside of any small wrinkles. Wash the diaper area last.
- Fill the cup with water to wet baby's hair. Apply a small amount of baby shampoo to head. Rub in with light circular motions. Keep your child's head tilted back to prevent shampoo from getting into their eyes.
- Refill the cup with clean water to rinse the baby's hair and body.
- When you take your baby out of the bath, support his buttocks with one hand and his head and neck with the other. Make sure you have a firm grip so your child doesn't slip out.
- You don't need to use lotion, but you can apply it after bathing if your baby's skin is especially dry.
- After bathing, wrap the baby in a towel and gently pat it dry.
Cradle Cap
Babies
often develop red, scaly patches on their scalp, called lullabies. This is not
a big problem and is easily treated. Here's how:
- Before a bath, massage a little bit of petroleum jelly, olive oil, or baby oil into your baby's scalp to loosen the dry skin.
- Gently rub the oil into your baby's scalp with a soft brush or washcloth to release the flakes.
- Wash baby's hair with a gentle baby shampoo.
The
cradle cover should improve on its own. If it sticks to or spreads on the
child's face, neck, or other parts of the body, see a doctor. You may need a
stronger prescription shampoo for your child's hair and a cortisone cream for
your child's body.
Nail Trimming
Because
your child's nails grow very quickly and he can easily scratch, file or cut his
nails about twice a week. Your child's nails don't grow as fast. You can
probably get away with cutting them a few times a month. Just be careful of
jagged edges that you may need to trim.
Whether
you choose children's scissors, children's nail clippers or a nail file, it's
up to you. Considering the small size of children's nails, decide which one is
best for you. Filing is generally less likely to cut your child's skin. Never
bite your child's nails, you can infect him.
Here
are some tips to make trimming your nails easier:
- Cut nails after a bath, when they're softer. Sometimes it helps to trim a baby's nails when the baby is asleep and relaxed.
- If you use scissors or a nail clipper, press the skin under the nail down so you can get to the nail more easily. It may help to have your partner hold the baby's hand steady the first few times so you can concentrate on cutting.
- Trim her fingernails following the natural curve of the nail. Cut toenails straight across.
- Use a nail file after clipping to smooth any jagged edges.
- If you accidentally nip baby's skin with the scissors, apply gentle pressure with a tissue or piece of gauze. Use a tiny bit of ointment on the cut. Don't put on a bandage because your baby could choke on it.