Washing a baby has always been an important and delicate routine. Indeed, many mothers find it difficult to carry out the necessary care properly. Obviously, the infant needs special attention because of its fragility. Therefore, gestures as simple as giving them a bath or cleaning their ears become a little more delicate. Therefore, it is important to find out how to deal with these not-so-obvious situations.
What to do to care for a baby?
A young child needs several different types of care in order to give him a complete wash. In fact, giving him a bath is not enough, his ears, eyes and nose must also be cleaned. Here is a short list of everything that needs to be done:
Give him a bath.
Wash his hair, nose, navel and ears.
General grooming when it is not possible to give him a bath.
Take care of his nails: clean them and cut them.
Actions and products to avoid
Before knowing everything you need to do to take good care of an infant, you need to know all the gestures and products to avoid.
ACTIONS TO AVOID
Even if it may seem obvious, it is necessary to remember that a baby is fragile. Therefore, gentleness and attention are mandatory. It is therefore necessary to avoid forcing, rubbing too much or using water that is too hot or too cold.
In addition, avoid too much exposure to the sun. The child’s skin is still developing and can be easily burnt.
PRODUCTS TO BAN
All toiletries for adults: whether they are soaps, shampoos, bubble baths, shower gels or perfumed milks, toiletries for adults should be avoided like the plague. A baby’s sensitive skin and mucous membranes are easily irritated. You should therefore look for products without chemical agents, detergents or additives.
Talc: also known as baby powder, this product has long been used to dry babies’ bottoms. However, it is no longer recommended to use it as it agglomerates in the nappy and hardens on contact with sweat, causing irritation. In addition, respiratory problems have been reported after using talc.
Cotton swabs: When cleaning an infant’s eyes, ears and nose, the use of cotton swabs should be avoided. Indeed, these utensils can be dangerous and may cause scratches and injuries. In addition, secretions are more often pushed inwards rather than cleaned.
Bathing the baby
Bathing the baby is a very important activity. It is a playful and educational moment that allows you to establish close ties with the child, get to know him and, of course, clean him.
The bathing environment should be clean and the baby should not be cold. Also, hands should be washed well before starting.
CHOOSING THE BATH TIME
The choice of the time when the bath takes place is important. During the bath, the baby must be calm, full and awake. So whether it is in the morning, at midday or in the evening, these details should be taken into account.
CHOOSING THE WATER TEMPERATURE
This choice is very easy. The temperature should be between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the water will be too cold or too hot for the baby.
IN WHICH BATHTUB?
Whether it is in the bathtub at home or in a special baby bathtub, the bathtub should be as clean as possible. It is even possible to use the washbasin if it has been well cleaned beforehand. It is advisable to put a towel on the bottom of the bath to prevent the baby from slipping out.
SHOULD I USE SOAP?
Soap is not necessary to wash your child. Water alone is sufficient except for his genitals, buttocks, folds and hands. However, you should choose a baby soap that is free of detergents and chemical agents.
HOW TO PROCEED FOR THE BATH?
Fill the bathtub and check the temperature by hand or with a thermometer.
Undress the infant and remove the nappy.
Clean the baby’s bottom if there is stool.
Put the baby in the bath.
While holding the back of the neck, begin to clean methodically. Run the water over the head, neck, shoulders, back, arms, hands, genitals, buttocks, legs and finally the feet.
Toileting without bathing
Sometimes it is not possible to bathe the baby, whether it is because of a bandage or a cast or because the child is ill.
Washing is done on a work surface or changing table, preferably on a towel folded in half to make the baby as comfortable as possible. Undress the upper body and then, using a damp towel, wipe the limbs. Start with the head and work your way up to the rest.
Put on the upper body after drying it well and move on to the buttocks and legs.
You can always start with the lower body if the baby has soiled the nappy.
The private parts are washed with a little water and baby soap. Rinse and dry.
How to clean sensitive areas?
As baby has several areas that are more sensitive than others, when it comes to cleaning them, you must proceed carefully with specific products, utensils and gestures.
A – THE FACE
Before cleaning the child’s face, you should start by talking to him and putting him at ease. This way, they will not be afraid or defensive. Proceed with care to wash the whole face and orifices.
Do this in the morning when you wake up and after each meal.
The eyes
The eyes are cleaned with a clean, damp washcloth. Each eye requires a different part of the wipe. Proceed from the inner to the outer corner of the eye.
Any heat or redness is a sign of infection. Therefore, wash your hands well after washing the eyes and consult the paediatrician as soon as possible.
If the eye is covered with white or yellowish secretions, do not panic. This is a sign that the tear duct has not yet developed properly. This secretion will disappear in the following weeks.
The nose
Cleaning the infant’s nose is an important activity that should be done regularly, especially in winter. A saline solution is used to remove secretions and decongest the nose.
Dry secretions are cleaned with a wet handkerchief. Proceed carefully so as not to hurt the baby.
If the child has a cold, be sure to clean the nose before feeding or putting the child to bed.
Oral care
After waking up and after each meal, the baby’s mouth should be cleaned with a washcloth or disposable towel.
Before the first teeth appear, you can use a clean washcloth to take care of the gums after feeding.
After the teeth have come in, they should be brushed at least twice a day with a little fluoride toothpaste and a baby toothbrush. Be sure to clean between the teeth. This is necessary to avoid cavities.
B – HAIR
Washing baby’s hair is not very difficult. Just use a mild soap or shampoo designed for babies. Take care of his scalp with a mineral oil to moisturise it. This will reduce the chance of yellowish scabs appearing, which are a sign of skin dehydration.
C – THE BOMB
Washing the navel can sometimes be frightening for the person looking after the baby. Indeed, very young babies still have an unhealed umbilical cord. However, this should not be a daunting task as it will not harm the baby if done carefully and gently.
Use a washcloth soaked in warm water to do this. Then dry well with a clean, dry cloth.
Make sure that the nappy does not cover the navel.
The umbilical cord will heal and fall off by itself after one to two weeks after the birth. Sometimes there are a few traces of blood which are not alarming. However, if there is any oozing, pus or redness in this area, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
D – PRIVATE PARTS
For both girls and boys, the cleansing of the private parts is very important. If you notice any irritation, be sure to change the nappies regularly as soon as they become soiled.
Boys:
With a little water and mild soap, take care to wash the baby’s penis and bursa. Be careful not to strain his foreskin, which should follow its normal development.
Girls:
While spreading the labia majora and not touching the labia minora, clean the infant’s vulva from front to back with a wet washcloth. Do not try to remove the mucus inside the labia minora, as it plays a protective role.
E – NAILS :
Nail care begins after the nails have peeled off the skin. They should be carefully filed and given a rounded edge to prevent the baby from scratching himself.
