BASIC CARE ACTIVITIES
Your newborn will depend on you for every aspect of her care. This
section provides guidelines for some basic care activities.
BATHING For the first year of life, your baby will only need to be bathed every 2-3 days. Sponge baths are a good way to help you and your baby become accustomed to the new routine. Limit bathing to sponge baths—not tub baths—until your baby’s umbilical cord drops off. There is no one right way to bathe a baby, but there are some basic guidelines to follow. As you become more comfortable with your baby, you can adapt these guidelines to fit your baby’s needs:
■ Bathe your baby in a warm, draft-free environment.
■ Have bath supplies ready before beginning the bath.
■ Keep the water temperature comfortably warm, not hot. Before placing your baby in the water, always test the temperature of the water with your elbow.
■ Wash the baby’s face first, using plain water and a washcloth. Wash your baby’s eyes from the inner corner to the outer, using different parts of the washcloth for each eye.
■ Use a mild non-deodorant soap and a soft washcloth to wash the rest of the baby’s body, working downward toward the baby’s feet. Pay special attention to folds and creases.
■ When washing the genitals, always wipe girls from front to back. When bathing a boy, never forcefully push back the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis.
■ To avoid heat loss, wash the baby’s hair last.
■ To help keep your baby warm after a bath, cover her head with a dry towel.
■ Do not routinely use lotions, oils, or creams on your baby. If the skin becomes too dry or starts to crack, ask your doctor to prescribe a cream that does not contain any fragrances or alcohol.
NEVER leave your baby (or toddler) unattended in the bath. A newborn can drown in just an inch of water.
FINGERNAIL CARE 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 especially for babies, and be careful not to cut the fingertips. You may also use a soft emery board to file your baby’s fingernails.
BATHING For the first year of life, your baby will only need to be bathed every 2-3 days. Sponge baths are a good way to help you and your baby become accustomed to the new routine. Limit bathing to sponge baths—not tub baths—until your baby’s umbilical cord drops off. There is no one right way to bathe a baby, but there are some basic guidelines to follow. As you become more comfortable with your baby, you can adapt these guidelines to fit your baby’s needs:
■ Bathe your baby in a warm, draft-free environment.
■ Have bath supplies ready before beginning the bath.
■ Keep the water temperature comfortably warm, not hot. Before placing your baby in the water, always test the temperature of the water with your elbow.
■ Wash the baby’s face first, using plain water and a washcloth. Wash your baby’s eyes from the inner corner to the outer, using different parts of the washcloth for each eye.
■ Use a mild non-deodorant soap and a soft washcloth to wash the rest of the baby’s body, working downward toward the baby’s feet. Pay special attention to folds and creases.
■ When washing the genitals, always wipe girls from front to back. When bathing a boy, never forcefully push back the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis.
■ To avoid heat loss, wash the baby’s hair last.
■ To help keep your baby warm after a bath, cover her head with a dry towel.
■ Do not routinely use lotions, oils, or creams on your baby. If the skin becomes too dry or starts to crack, ask your doctor to prescribe a cream that does not contain any fragrances or alcohol.
NEVER leave your baby (or toddler) unattended in the bath. A newborn can drown in just an inch of water.
FINGERNAIL CARE 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 especially for babies, and be careful not to cut the fingertips. You may also use a soft emery board to file your baby’s fingernails.
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