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Everything you need to know about baby grooming

Caring for the umbilical cord

This remarkable organ that kept him nourished throughout pregnancy has a bit of an ick factor outside the womb when you’re waiting for it to dry and fall off, which usually takes one to two weeks. At each diaper change, gently wipe the tummy area clean with warm water, allowing the cord itself to stay dry. Avoid tucking it inside the diaper, could trap moisture and make the area “quite dirty and stinky pretty quick.” If you notice any smell, redness, swelling, puss, or if your baby seems feverish or irritable, contact your healthcare provider.

During a bath, it’s OK if the cord gets a little wet as long as you allow it to air-dry afterward. And be mindful not to knock or hit the sensitive area by accident.

Bathing

Hold off on giving your baby a bath for about the first week of life. Most newborn skin is covered in a creamy, white substance called the vernix caseosa, which is largely made up of oils from a baby’s sweat glands. This layer acts as a barrier, protecting your baby’s skin in utero. Within five to 10 days, the vernix will slough off on its own, and that’s a good time to give your baby her first bath.

In the first month of life, a sponge bath (versus a dunk in the sink or tub) is all your baby needs to stay fresh and clean. Wash your baby’s body with a soft cloth dipped in warm water, using soap only when needed (e.g. after a messy spit-up or challenging diaper change) up to three times a week.

Genitals

When washing, treat your baby’s genitals like any other body part in the bath by gently rinsing the area with warm water—front to back for girls to avoid spreading bacteria. Pat the baby dry post-bath to prevent his skin from getting cold, then allow skin to air-dry fully before applying a barrier cream (only when you notice he’s a little red from diaper rash) or a diaper. If your son has been circumcised, carefully bathe him in warm water every day for a full week after surgery. Following each bath, apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the end of the penis to protect it from the diaper while it is sensitive and healing. Continue applying this topical barrier after every bath and diaper change until he’s healed completely, usually within 10 days.

Skin

It’s true your baby’s skin is already perfectly soft, but it recommends applying a baby-friendly lotion on a regular basis to keep their skin hydrated, “allowing it to act as a good barrier against infection.” Dry patches are also prone to cracking, which can make the area vulnerable to bacteria or fungus.

At around two to four weeks of age, it’s very common for babies to develop a rash of acne across their face, little pimples covering her cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. They can even spread to the body. They’re caused by mom’s hormones still circulating in the baby’s body, so there’s nothing you can do to prevent it. But don’t panic, this ugly duckling stage is temporary and will resolve itself in two to six weeks.

Scalp

Avoid scrubbing the scalp too vigorously while shampooing your baby’s hair, and look out for cradle cap. While cradle cap is generally self-resolving. The spots flake off on their own within a few months. Parents can help to loosen the spots by moistening their baby’s head with water or olive oil, then gently encouraging the scales to lift using a soft brush or cloth. Because cradle cap scales can become itchy for some babies, advises applying a moisturizing layer of shea butter or coconut oil after a bath.

Don’t worry about shampooing your baby’s hair too often. Whether he has a luxurious mane or just a few sprouts, a gentle massage with unscented, baby-formulated shampoo is all he needs no more than a few times per week. If his hair needs to be detangled, use a brush for babies with extra soft bristles to avoid irritating the scalp.

Ears

Your baby’s ears, like your own, will clean themselves naturally. No cotton swab needed. You can use a warm washcloth to wipe away any obvious drainage around the external ear area, but leave the inner ear alone. Even if you do manage to pull some ear wax out of the inner ear with a cotton swab, you’ll still risk pushing more in.

Mouth

With their sweet baby breath, it’s hard to believe bacteria are setting up camp in your infant’s mouth even before teeth arrive, but it’s important to keep her gums clean and healthy by gently wiping them daily with a clean, damp cloth. Once teeth arrive, give them a brush every day with a soft toothbrush designed for babies. But don’t worry about using kid-friendly (fluoride-free) toothpaste until your baby turns one as they’re likely to swallow most of it.

Caring for yourself

Even simple tasks like filing nails can overwhelm an exhausted parent, so if you’re overtired or not feeling confident, just wait until you’re ready, or have an extra pair of hands to help. Start any grooming task by placing all the supplies you need within reach, especially at bath time to keep one hand on the baby, so you can feel comfortable and calm throughout the task, and keep your baby safe.

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https://www.ecmonth.com.my/