Newborn Care: Everything You Need to Know About Baby Grooming
Ah, parenting! We have often been told that we will truly feel fulfilled only when we bring a child into this world. They say that there isn’t a more happy event in life than when you become a parent and when you hold your child in your arms for the first time. That may be true, but what no one will tell you is how stressful parenting can also be.
Now, when a little one is there, you certainly have a ton of questions. Of course, nowadays, there are many books, videos, and texts, both online and offline, but it is impossible to find all the answers you need.
One of the many things new parents wonder about is newborn baby care. How often do you need to bathe a baby, should you use products and what kind, how do you make sure not to drop the baby while giving her a bath and so on?
These are all perfectly normal questions, and today we are going to try and answer them. In this text, we will focus on all the basic grooming information you may need in order to provide adequate newborn care, from head to toes.
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**This is a guest post, written by the talented Rachel Burns.
Why Is Newborn Baby Care Important?
Some people think that it is only about cosmetics, especially when we talk about newborn grooming that first month, but in reality, caring for your newborn serves many more purposes. For example, a baby’s nails grow even though she is young, don’t they? Well if you let them, your precious little one can put their hands on their face and scratch themselves up.
Additionally, by grooming your baby regularly and continuing to do so as she grows, you will send her some important messages about hygiene. That way, you’ll be less likely to have to force your children to have a shower or bath later in life – they will willingly do it on their own.
How to Care for Your New Baby
What is important to know is that babies don’t need to be bathed that frequently. Since pretty much all that they do is eat, poop, and sleep, they have very little chances to get dirty. It’s also incredibly beneficial to delay your baby’s first bath until after that first week or two of life.
When babies are born, they are covered by a substance called vernix caseosa, which helps protect them before and after birth. We are talking about that creamy white kind of coating that your bundle of joy has just after birth. Now, vernix is very important because it maintains good health and moisture of your baby’s skin. It even serves as a defense system against different types of bacteria.
Your baby’s vernix will typically start to disappear within 5 – 10 days after being born, and after that, you can start bathing your baby.
Whenever you do decide to start bathing your precious little one, you’ll want to make sure you know all the ins and outs on how to care for your newborn properly.
Umbilical Cord
The umbilical cord is an important organ when the baby is still in utero. After birth it gets dry and falls off, but not immediately. It usually happens a week or two after birth.
During this period, you should gently wash your baby’s belly each time you change a diaper, but at the same time, be careful not to wet the cord. If the cord stump accidentally gets tucked in the diaper, it could become dirty quickly, increasing the risk of infection. You need to take measures to prevent this from happening.
If you do notice any signs of infection, be sure to call your pediatrician as soon as possible.
Genitals
Another part of the grooming care plan for a newborn baby is taking care of your baby’s genitals.
The main thing you need to pay attention to with newborn girls is to wipe from front to back to prevent bacterial infections.
After a bath, you should dry your baby with a soft towel, so they are not cold. Then after your child is completely dry, you can apply a barrier cream if you notice a diaper rash.
Keep in mind that it is better to avoid any kind of powders because there is a risk that your baby could inhale the dust. You can check out the best diaper rash cream if you want to learn more about this aspect of newborn baby care.
If you’re keeping your baby boy whole (not circumcising), you’ll want to make sure all caregivers are familiar with proper intact care. Simply clean what you see, and gently wipe from base to tip, like a finger. You should NOT retract or manipulate the foreskin, as it is fused to the head of the penis, sometimes even until puberty.
If you decide to circumcise your baby boy, then as part of newborn care plan, you’ll need to wash him in warm water each day for about a week after the surgery. Additionally, you need to apply petroleum jelly to the end of his penis. This protects it from the diaper during the period it is still sensitive.
Bath
As we’ve already mentioned, it is recommended to start bathing your baby only after one or two weeks following birth.
Not only is bath time a very important part of your little one’s general hygiene, but warm baths are also super relaxing for your baby, and they generally enjoy them. Baths also serve as an excellent bonding opportunity for you, your spouse, and your baby.
Keep in mind that there are a lot of newborn baby care products, but it is advised to choose natural ones.
Dental Care
Many people don’t really think about dental care in the first few months because babies don’t have teeth yet. However, proper dental care is vital from the very beginning.
For your baby’s oral hygiene, you’ll need a soft cloth and a toothbrush designed for babies. The best thing to make sure your baby’s mouth is clean is to gently wipe down their gums with a wet washcloth after each time they eat, or at least twice a day.
After the first teeth begin to emerge, start using a toothbrush with very soft bristles that are designed for young babies.
Hair Care
Some babies arrive almost bald, but others have a ton of hair already. If your precious one is hairy, then you’ll have to think about newborn baby hair care.
Regular brushing of your baby’s hair helps remove seborrheic dermatitis, also known as cradle cap. This is something you may notice getting formed if the hair is not brushed, and it presents itself like thick, crusty yellow patches on the scalp.
To Sum It Up
Being a new parent is a beautiful experience that can also be challenging at the beginning.
As you can see, there are many important aspects of newborn baby care that you need to know about. But there is no reason to worry; someone already has all the questions floating in your head right now, so you can find comfort in knowing that you are not alone!
What About You?
In this text, we shared our ideas and thoughts on baby grooming. All of it came as a result of our experiences but also discussions with pediatricians and midwives, as well as other parents.
Do you have some ideas that we didn’t mention today? Please don’t hesitate to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this post with other new parents-to-be.
We look forward to hearing from you!
About the Author
Rachel Burns is an experienced copywriter and photographer with a design diploma. She works with startups, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and companies from around the world. In addition to writing articles and promotional materials, she enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.