Newborn cleaning and grooming
1. How should I care for my baby’s genitals?
• Change diapers regularly.
• Change any stool diaper immediately to avoid a diaper rash.
For girls
• Wipe the genitals from front to back. For the first 4 weeks after birth, your baby girl may have white, milky discharge that may or may not be tinged with blood. Wipe off the discharge gently with some cotton wool and warm water.
For boys
• Clean under the scrotum. Wipe carefully with some warm water and cotton wool or a soft cloth.
2. Is it safe to put a few drops of oil in my newborn’s ears?
Clean the outside of your baby’s ears carefully with some warm water and a soft cloth. Avoid putting anything into your baby’s ears unless advised by your doctor as it may lead to an infection.
3. My baby was born with fair skin but has become darker now. Is there anything I can do about this?
Your baby’s ultimate skin colour is determined by genetics. Your baby is beautiful no matter what colour they are.
4. Why does my baby have hair all over his body?
If your baby was born slightly early you may notice that they seem to have hair all over their body. This fine hair is known as lanugo. This helps to protect the baby’s skin whilst still in the womb. It will shed off by itself within a few weeks.
5. I am scared of cutting my baby’s small nails. How should I do it?
Babies will scratch themselves if their nails are too long. It may be easier to clip your baby’s nails when he is asleep, or with someone else’s help. Use clippers designed specially for babies, and be careful not to cut the fingertips. You may also use a soft emery board to file your baby’s fingernails.
Bath time, diapering, feeding and more
6. My baby really cries during bath time. Is this just a phase?
When your baby was in the womb, he/she used to be at a constant temperature. During bath time the removal of clothing causes him/her to feel a bit cold. It is just a phase, with time your baby gets used to bath time and will also greatly enjoy it. To aid in this, ensure that the room is warm and airy. Ensure also that the bathwater is at the correct temperature and is neither too hot nor cold.
7. Can I give my baby honey?
Honey is not recommended for children under the age of one year as it may cause food poisoning. Honey is known to contain botulinum spores, and these spores can develop into bacteria that produce botulism toxin inside your child. This condition causes paralysis and can be fatal to the baby.
8. My mum has advised that I give my baby sugar water. Is sugar water safe for infants?
You should exclusively breastfeed your baby only on breast milk for the first 6 months of life and if this is not possible to offer an appropriate substitute that is recommended by your doctor. Giving sugar water to babies can be harmful and cause diarrhoea and illness as it may also overload the baby’s system. Your baby’s stomach is small. When the baby drinks sugar water, there is less room left for the nourishing breast milk that is necessary for your baby to grow strong and healthy.
9. How will I know which disposable diapers will be best for my baby?
A good diaper should be comfortable, absorbent and breathable, allowing good circulation of air. Your baby’s skin should also be able to tolerate it. If your baby gets frequent diaper rash then changing the diaper may be a good idea.
10. My baby makes a lot of noises when sleeping. Is this normal?
Your baby breathes through their nose. This allows him to eat and breathe at the same time. Since their nose and air passages inside are tiny, little particles of mucus can further constrict them, causing those crazy grunts, whistles and squeaks.
