Keeping Your Newborn Baby Clean

There’s an old saying that when you give birth to baby you give birth to your baby common-sense soon after… But just in case you need some extra advice, here are some basic newborn baby care tips on keeping her clean. In those early days you may feel there is an abundance of newborn baby items you have to buy, but being clean, fed and comfortable are your baby’s basic needs. Face Newborn babies often have red blotchy faces, but the skin settles down quite soon. Wash her face daily with baby soap and lukewarm water, taking care to remove all traces of soap. Some babies have a crusty, yellow discharge from one or both eyes caused by a blocked tear duct. Clean with a damp cotton wool ball. Scalp Many newborns have a condition called cradle cap, which is basically scaly, dry skin. It is harmless and baby will not even know it is there. You can use a soft baby hairbrush or very soft toothbrush to brush the dead skin away each day - washing her hair with baby shampoo every other day. A good newborn baby care tip is to massage olive or almond oil into the affected areas to soften the skin and make the scales easier to remove. Skin If your baby develops red, itchy patches called eczema or atopic dermatitis limit her bath to less than ten minutes and use a mild, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water. Pat her dry and apply a special hypoallergenic cream. Try to use only cotton clothing next to her skin. A newborn baby care tip from mums in Mediterranean countries is to regularly massage baby all over with natural olive or almond oil taking care to avoid the eye area. These natural moisturisers will nourish her skin and she’ll love the sensation too. If a daily oil massage is hard to fit into your routine try to do it at least once a week. Bottom Babies with sensitive skin are more likely to develop nappy rash, but all babies can get it. It occurs when baby is left too long in a wet nappy. So, to avoid your baby getting nappy rash, change her nappy frequently. Special creams like petroleum jelly and white zinc oxide can help. Nails Among the “must-buy” newborn baby items will be special baby nail clippers or blunt-nosed scissors for cutting her nails. Baby nails are soft, but if they become jagged they can scratch their faces. Only ever cut your baby’s toenails if they are noticeably too long. Umbilical Cord This will fall off within a couple of weeks. All you have to do is keep the stump clean and dry. Give sponge baths until the stump detaches. Circumcision The tip of baby’s penis will become swollen and a yellow scab will form after circumcision. Clean his genital area with warm water daily and protect it with petroleum jelly to stop the penis from sticking to his nappy.