Newborn Hygiene

As a new mom, you should follow these good baby hygiene essentials:

Wash Your Hands:

By washing your hands constantly, you reduce the risk of your baby being exposed to bacteria and viruses. You should keep in mind that washing your hands constantly before handling your baby, touching your baby, playing with your baby, touching it's toys, feeding your baby is necessary.

As we all know your baby is super sensitive during it's first months after birth, so keep him safe.

Bathe Your Little One:

Giving a small, wiggly baby a bath can make a new parent nervous, but by being calm and prepared you will become comfortable with the process. Follow these tips to make bath time a special bonding experience between you and your baby:

Newborn babies should only be bathed one to two times a week. Bathing your baby more than this can dry out his or her skin
Babies should not be placed in water for a bath until the umbilical cord has fallen off. Give your baby a sponge bath using a soft wash cloth and gentle soap until the umbilical cord has fallen off
During bath time, never leave your baby alone, not even for a few seconds

Have all the bath items within arm's reach before you begin, including:

A basin of warm (not hot) water
Clean diaper and clothes
Two bath towels
Mild soap
Soft wash cloth
Hair brush

Cleaning steps

Start by washing the face with plain warm water.
Clean eyes using plain water and wiping from the corner near the nose to the outer corner. Use a washcloth (use a clean part for each eye) or two cotton balls (one for each eye)
When cleaning the ears and nose, clean only the surface of the ears and nose. Do not put a cotton swab in the ears or nose to clean
Wash the rest of the baby with mild soap. Do not use a perfumed soap. Rinse with warm water
Leaving the diaper area for last, make sure to wash all the creases and folds
Do not be hesitant about cleaning a baby girl’s genitals
Use a soft cloth and warm water, and wipe gently between the folds
After rinsing, pat the baby dry with a clean towel
Shampoo the hair while you hold the baby in the crook of your arm. Put mild soap on the hair, gently scrub and rinse out all of the soap. Don't be afraid to gently shampoo the soft spots to prevent -yellow, oily, scaly flakes from building up. This condition is known as cradle cap
Towel the hair dry and then brush it with a soft baby brush
Do not use any oil or lotions on your baby because they may cause a rash. Most oils and lotions are too harsh for your baby’s delicate skin.

Trim Your Baby's Fingernails:

Nail care

To prevent scratches, trim your baby's fingernails regularly. If the nail has a rough edge before it is long enough to cut, use a nail file made for babies.

Using a baby nail clippers, hold the skin away from the nail and cut straight across
It is easier to trim your baby’s nails after a bath because the bathwater will soften their nails
Trimming your baby’s nails may be easier when they are asleep

Clean His Ears:

Never stick the washcloth or cotton ball inside your baby's ear. This can cause damage to the ear canal.

To clean baby's ears:

Wet the washcloth or cotton ball with warm water.
Ring out the washcloth well, if using.
Gently wipe behind baby's ears and around the outside of each ear.

Keep Baby's Nose Unclogged:

Squeeze one to two drops of saline nose drops in each nostril to help loosen any dried mucus and then use a rubber suction bulb. To use it, first squeeze the bulb. Next, gently stick the tip of the bulb into a nostril. Finally, slowly release the bulb and it will pull out clogged mucus.

Bulb syringe usage

A bulb syringe can be used to help clear the mouth and nose if your baby has spit up or has a stuffy nose. To use the bulb syringe:

Squeeze the bulb to get all the air out
Put the tip of the syringe into the nostril and gently release the bulb
Take the syringe out of the nostril and squeeze it out into a tissue a few times
Clean the bulb syringe by squeezing it full of hot soapy water and rinse by squeezing it a few times in clean hot water

Clean His Eyes:

Soak one cotton ball in some warm water and squeeze out extra water. Clean the corners of your baby's eyes, wiping gently from the inside corners to the outside corners. Use a new cotton ball for each wipe. Wipe gently around each nostril to get rid of mucus.

Eyes are especially sensitive and should be cleaned with safety. Your baby’s skin is much thinner since adipose tissue is scarce and has little subcutaneous fat, which is why special hygiene habits should be carried out.

Good eye hygiene can prevent the development of future eye infections.

Newborns tend to have a lot of rheum or scab because they produce a lot of mucin, a mucous fluid that serves to moisturize the eye.

Moreover, newborns sleep for a long period of time boosting the appearance of these residues.

When this substance dries, sediments appear on the outside of the eyes and eyelids. In addition to that, this type of secretions and the lack of lacrimal drainage, facilitate the appearance of eye infections. This is why it is important to keep good eye hygiene in babies.

How to clean a baby’s eyes?

Here are some tips on how to clean the eyelids and eyes of your baby:

Before cleaning, it is important to wash your hands with water and neutral soap to avoid infecting the baby’s eye.
You should never wipe the eyes with your hand, cotton or a cloth or paper handkerchief. A sterile object must always be used.
Never separate the eyelids from the baby when they are dry. Before separating them, eyes should be moistened.
The cleaning should be carried out with a sterilized wet wipe or gauze in order to soften the scabs and facilitate the extraction of secretions. Never rub or scratch if they do not disappear as it could damage the baby’s eye.
Physiological serum will be used to moisten the gauze. In case of not having serum, you could use boiled water once it is warm.
Chamomile and other infusions should not be used to clean the eye, as it is not a sterile product and could cause allergies or infections.
The eye should always be cleaned from the tear duct to the corner of the eye so that the debris is dragged out.
The baby should be lying on his back.
It is recommended to clean the eyes of the baby a couple of times a day: after waking up, that is when there is a greater accumulation of secretions and, after the bath since the secretions have softened and it will be easier to clean.

Change your babies diaper regularly:

This is very important in your babies hygiene routine also. You should keep in mind to do it regularly so that your baby feels better and surely smells better too.

You may use baby wipes on your newborn

Remove all stool and urine
Fan the diaper area until dry
Apply a clean diaper

If redness occurs, clean the area carefully and gently and dry it thoroughly. Apply a thick layer of diaper rash cream to the red area before diapering.

Keep Your Baby's Toys Clean:

Toys and play area surfaces can be sources of germs swapped between babies, toddlers, and adults, sometimes transmitting illness. While daycares and children's centers have their specific guidelines for toy cleanliness, you can use practical solutions to clean baby toys safely and effectively at home.

Here are 5 easy tips on how to keep your little ones toys clean:

1.Soap and Water

Simply washing hands with soap and water is a great way to prevent spreading bacteria and viruses, and it works for toys and surfaces as well. Toys such as plastic blocks, infant rattles, and teethers can easily be cleaned in the sink using dish soap and warm water.

However, it is never safe to wash any electrical toy that can be plugged in by submerging it or placing it in soap and water. Even toys that include batteries with lights and sounds should not be cleaned in soap and water. Any water that enters the electrical parts can lead to shorts and the toy may no longer work.

2.Dishwasher

Some toys may be labeled as being dishwasher safe. Infant rattles, plastic blocks, large plastic pegs, plastic shape sorter pieces, and some bath toys can be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher. The hot water and soap in the dishwasher will help sanitize and clean toys. The dishwasher is also great for certain bath toys, which can begin to develop mold and mildew over time.

3.Environmentally Friendly Surface Cleaners

Some cleaners have harsh chemicals that will remove germs, but many parents do not want their children to come in contact with them. Environmentally friendly cleaners include wipes and sprayable surface cleaners, which are safe for babies.

Look for baby toy cleaners the do not include dyes, are biodegradable, and are free of phthalates and parabens. Since babies and toddlers mouth toys (especially when teething), environmentally safe cleaners are preferred.

4.Surface Wipes

There are entire aisles in stores dedicated to disinfectant surface wipes. Surface wipes are a great way to clean plastic toys that have batteries and cannot be placed in soap and water or the dishwasher.

Wipe down the toy using a disinfectant surface wipe. Let it air-dry for several minutes before giving it to a child to play with.

For items such as pacifiers, there are also special pacifier wipes. These use food-grade sanitizers that are safe for babies who put items in their mouths.

5.Cleaning Stuffed Animals and Baby Dolls

Many people clean stuffed animals and baby dolls by placing these toys in the washer and dryer. But without proper care, over time some stuffed animals and baby dolls will get ruined with repeated washings. To help the toy survive machine-washing, place it in a pillowcase before laundering.

You can also use Teddy Needs a Bath, which is a large zipper bag used to wash plush toys. Stuffed animals can be placed inside the bag, then washed on a gentle cycle in a front loader washer and dryer. Read the labels on stuffed animals before washing them. Some specialty teddy bears specifically state they cannot be washed.

After washing, check for any loose eyes, seams, threads, or other attachments to ensure the stuffed animal is still safe for your child to handle.

How Play Areas Spread Germs

Kids quickly spread sickness to others simply by touching a toy or item that has germs on it, then touching their mouths or putting the toy inside their mouths. Adults and other kids can pick up viruses and bacteria this way. This can happen anywhere, especially during playdates and visits to community area playgrounds, children's museums, and daycare centers. Public places should sanitize and clean every day, but it is hard to keep up with cleaning high-traffic areas quickly and regularly, especially when they are busy.

Kids need to keep their hands clean to keep germs from spreading. Using the tips above can help parents and others clean toys to minimize the spread of germs to other kids and family members.