Newborn hygiene
The long term has come this moment. You and your baby are finally being discharged from the maternity hospital. While you were in the maternity hospital, the department staff helped you in caring for your child, and everything seemed clear and understandable. But when you are left at home, alone with your baby, everything seems much more difficult. So that you don’t get confused, let’s talk about newborn hygiene once again.
How to care for umbilical wound
Why and why? The umbilical cord usually falls off on days 3-5 of the child's life. In its place remains the so-called “umbilical wound”, which heals by 10-14 days of life. In order to speed up the healing process and prevent infection from entering the wound, it is necessary to care for it daily. It is more convenient to treat the umbilical wound after bathing the child. It's not difficult at all, you can do it!
So, you will need: sterile cotton swabs, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, salicylic alcohol.
First you need to: remove the rings and watches from your hands, wash your hands thoroughly. Undress the baby, wash him if necessary and place him on the changing table. Using the thumb and forefinger of your left hand, spread the edges of the umbilical ring (with your index finger, pull the skin above the navel up towards the chest, and the large one - the skin under the navel down).4. Now take in right hand bottle with peroxide and drop 1-2 drops directly onto the umbilical wound. Wait 20-30 seconds until the peroxide fizzes and foams - it washes away the dead crusts, cleaning the wound. Continuing to hold the skin in the navel area with your left hand, take a sterile cotton swab with your right hand and dry the umbilical wound with gentle blotting movements. There is no need to try to remove those crusts that have not separated on their own - their time has not yet come. Perhaps they will fall off tomorrow or the next day. Take another cotton swab, dip it in salicylic alcohol, and spread the edges of the umbilical ring again. Gently but thoroughly blot the umbilical wound with the stick, and then wipe the skin around the navel in a circular motion. Let the alcohol dry for a few seconds. That's all. You can put a diaper on your baby and swaddle him. How to wash a newborn baby
Why and why? The skin of babies is much more delicate than that of adults, irritation and diaper rash occur very easily, so you need to wash the baby every time after he has had a bowel movement. In addition, keeping the skin clean helps your baby develop the first skills of neatness.
If you are away from home, you can use special baby wipes instead of washing, but you should not completely replace washing with such a simplified skin treatment.
A little trick. Babies tend to have a bowel movement after or during each feeding. This leads to the conclusion that washing before eating is a thankless task.
The first thing you need to do is roll up your sleeves, remove rings and watches from your hands, adjust the temperature and pressure of running water. Prepare a thin diaper to dry the skin after washing. It’s very convenient to just hang it on your shoulder and always be at hand. Undress the baby, remove his diaper. It’s more comfortable to hold the baby with your left hand and wash it with your right. When washing the baby, hold him face down. Take the baby so that his chest lies across your forearm, while you hold his shoulder with the fingers of your left hand. Oddly enough, but hanging in this position, the baby does not experience the slightest discomfort. The girl needs to be washed only from front to back so as not to contaminate the genitals. Place the child's back on the forearm of your hand, so that the head is on the bend of the elbow, and you will hold her left thigh with your fingers. This position allows you to securely hold the baby, and leaves you complete “freedom of action.” Wash the baby by taking water into your palm, using gentle movements from top to bottom, carefully removing dirt from the skin. It is especially important to wash all skin folds where dirt can accumulate and cause irritation. Do not use soap unless absolutely necessary; washing with soap once a week is enough. When washing a girl, you do not need to “rub” the genitals, since the mucous membrane is very delicate. In addition, overly zealous washing removes the protective lubricant that protects the genitals from pathogens. After washing, dry your baby's skin. First, wrap the diaper over your baby's lower body and transfer him to the changing table. Then thoroughly blot the genitals, groin, buttocks and popliteal folds. If necessary (there are irritations), treat the skin folds with a small amount of baby oil. Your baby is happy with life again. Now it would be good to “air out the butt” for 5-10 minutes before putting on a new diaper. Bathing a newborn
Why and why? Bathing a newborn (hygienic bath) is carried out for all healthy children after the umbilical remnant falls off. Before the umbilical wound heals, it is recommended to bathe the baby in boiled water or running water, but you need to add a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) to it.
Until your baby is six months old, it is advisable to bathe him daily; in the second half of his life, you can do this every other day. As a rule, children really like to swim, because before birth, water was their natural element. In water, the muscles relax, the child feels comfortable and calm. The duration of bathing in the first year of life is 5-10 minutes. Washing with soap is carried out no more than once a week. It is advisable to bathe the child no earlier than an hour after feeding, preferably 10-15 minutes before evening feeding.
It is more convenient to bathe a newborn baby together; most often, the father is called upon to help, and in many families, bathing the baby is exclusively the father’s “honorable mission.” Large and reliable man's hands They hold the baby’s tiny body with amazing tenderness, which contributes to the emergence and development of close contact between the child and the father, who at these moments feels very needed. But if you have to do without an assistant, don’t worry, you can do it just fine on your own.
IMPORTANT! If your baby is unwell, has a fever or signs of skin irritation, it is better to postpone bathing until you consult your pediatrician.
You will need: baby bath, jug with warm water for rinsing the baby, a special water thermometer, baby soap, terry mitten, large terry towel, diaper, baby oil, changing table with prepared clothes for the baby, cotton swabs with limiters or cotton swabs.
If the umbilical wound has not yet healed, prepare two containers with cold and hot boiled water or a solution of potassium permanganate to add to running water. The solution of potassium permanganate must be added to the water “drop by drop” until the water turns a faint pink color. Before using potassium permanganate, make sure that the crystals are completely dissolved, as getting a potassium permanganate crystal on the skin can cause a burn.
The air temperature in the room while bathing the child should be 22-24 degrees. You can bathe your baby in the bathroom, if it is spacious enough, or in the kitchen.
First of all, you need to prepare the bath - wash with a brush and soap and rinse with boiling water. Place the bath in a stable, comfortable position and fill it ½ full with water. First pour cold and then hot water to avoid steam formation. Now you need to immerse the thermometer in water. The temperature of the water in the bath should be 37-37.5 degrees. You can only measure the water temperature with your elbow if you have enough experience; a thermometer is always more reliable. Lay out the baby’s clothes on the changing table, lay a towel on top, and put a diaper on it for wiping. However, you can put the diaper near the bath to make it more convenient for you to take it. Undress the baby, and if necessary, wash it. Take the baby so that the head rests on the forearm of your left hand, and use your fingers to hold the baby’s left shoulder joint ( thumb clasps the shoulder from above, place the other fingers in the armpit). Use your right hand to support the baby's buttocks and legs. Slowly lower the baby into the bath: first the buttocks, then the legs and torso. Continue to support the baby's head with your left hand, leaving your right hand free for washing. The water level should reach the baby's armpits. Rock the baby on the water back and forth, left and right. Your movements should be smooth and unhurried. Smile at the baby, talk kindly to him. If you plan to wash the baby with soap, then put the “mitten” on your right hand. Lather your body with soft in a circular motion and immediately rinse the soaped areas. First, wash your head from the forehead to the back of the head, then your neck, arms, chest, abdomen, legs. Rinse skin folds thoroughly. Wash the buttocks and genitals last. Remove the baby from the water with his back facing up. Rinse your body and wash your baby's face with water from a jug. Place a diaper on the baby, place him on the changing table, dry the skin with gentle blotting movements. Dry the ears with cotton swabs or cotton swabs. Lubricate the folds of the skin with baby oil. If necessary, treat the umbilical wound. Swaddle or dress the baby.
Now, to feel complete happiness, it would be nice for your baby to eat and sleep.
Morning toilet of a newborn
Why and why? We all know that “cleanliness is the key to health,” so every day we wash ourselves, brush our teeth, take a shower or bath. Without these usual hygiene procedures, a person feels uncomfortable. For a newborn baby daily care taking care of the skin is much more important than for an adult; in addition, the first habits of cleanliness begin to be formed unconsciously at such an early age.
The baby's daily toilet consists of washing, treating the eyes, nose, and skin folds. Until the umbilical cancer heals, it also needs to be treated daily. You need to wash your child after a night's sleep and during the day every time the child has had a bowel movement. The ears are treated as necessary in case of contamination and dried after each bathing. Children's nails are trimmed as they grow.
You will need: cotton pads (cosmetic pads), cotton wool for making flagella, baby oil or Vaseline, a container with warm boiled vodka, a container for used materials, scissors with rounded ends, cotton swabs with limiters, a set for treating the umbilical wound.
First you need to remove rings and watches from your hands and wash your hands. Prepare everything you need: open a bottle of oil, wash the water container with soap, scald with boiling water, fill with warm boiled water, twist nasal flagella from small pieces of cotton wool about 3 cm long and 2-3 mm in diameter, prepare a kit for treating the umbilical wound.
Now that you have everything at your fingertips, let's get down to business!
Washing and eye care
Washing a newborn baby is done with warm boiled water using cotton pads. Children over 3 months can be washed with running water.
Take cotton pad, moisten with water, squeeze lightly (so as not to drip). Wipe your baby's face in the following order: forehead, cheeks and, lastly, the area around the mouth. Discard this disc.
Then treat your eyes with separate cotton pads for each eye, moistened with warm boiled water, from the outer corner of the eye to the inner.
Take a dry cotton pad and dry your child's face in the same sequence.
Caring for the nasal passages
The nasal passages of a newborn baby are cleaned if there are crusts in them with soft cotton wool flagella moistened with petroleum jelly or baby oil. Do not use cotton swabs on a hard base. The right and left nostrils are cleaned alternately with separate flagella. The flagella are inserted into the nose with careful rotational movements, no deeper than 1-1.5 cm.
Care for skin folds
To treat skin folds, use baby or. Ready-made baby wipes impregnated with oil are quite convenient. You can moisten a cotton pad with oil, or you can simply apply it to your palms.
IMPORTANT! You cannot use oil and powder at the same time, because in this case the powder will roll into lumps, which can cause skin irritation and diaper rash.
First, lubricate the folds of the upper half of the body (from top to bottom) - behind the ears, cervical, axillary, elbow, wrist. Then, with another tampon, fold the lower half of the body (from bottom to top) - ankle, popliteal, inguinal, buttock.
Now, so that the baby does not look like an oil donut, excess oil from the skin needs to be removed with a dry cotton pad.
Ear care
The ears and external auditory canals should be dried from water after bathing. It is very convenient to use ready-made “ear” cotton swabs with limiters. If you don’t have them, you can make small tampons out of cotton wool. Dry your baby's ears with gentle blotting movements using separate swabs.
If discharge (earwax) has accumulated in the external auditory canal, you need to clean it using cotton swabs with limiters or cotton swabs soaked in Vaseline or baby oil. Insert the flagellum into the external auditory canal with careful rotational movements to a depth of no more than 0.5 cm. Use a separate flagellum for each ear canal.
Trimming nails
A newborn baby's nails need to be trimmed as they grow on his hands and feet to prevent the baby from scratching himself. Special children's scissors with rounded ends are convenient and safe.
A little trick. Many mothers are afraid of the thought that they will have to cut the nails on such tiny fingers that are constantly in motion. Therefore, everyone will be calmer if they do this “delicate work” when the baby is sleeping.
Take the child's hand so that only one finger remains free, on which you are going to trim the nail. Grab the finger with the thumb and index fingers of your left hand, holding it on both sides, and with the remaining fingers of your left hand you can hold the child’s other fingers.
Fingernails are trimmed in a semicircle, and toenails are trimmed in a straight line to avoid future problems such as ingrown toenails. You need to trim your nails with continuous movements of the scissors, and not “piece by piece.” Please check if there are any protruding sharp parts left on the nails.
Don’t forget to carefully collect the trimmed nails so that if they get lost in the folds of clothes and linen, they won’t injure your baby’s skin.
Finally it’s done! My little treasure is sleeping quietly in his crib - we were discharged from the maternity hospital today. I look at my daughter, and I really want to become the most ideal mother in the world for her. I want to babysit her, cherish her, pamper her.
But I’m afraid that I still don’t know everything about how to properly care for a baby, what needs to be done for this. Lyudmila, please tell me what care should be like for a newborn in the first month of life? When and what procedures should be performed?
Caring for a baby - an unconventional approach
A small child born into the world goes through the most difficult period - the neonatal period. After severe emotional and physical stress received during childbirth, he finds himself in completely different conditions.
At the moment, his main task is to go through the adaptation process as quickly as possible and successfully adapt to the environment. Your task, as a mother, is to help your baby in this matter.
It is to “help” by providing all the needs of the newborn. Do not think that a child is an absolutely helpless creature who needs every minute care. This assumption is not entirely correct.
but, unlike many animals that are able to eat and move independently within the first few hours after birth, a newborn baby is one of the most helpless living creatures on earth.
Yes, there are protective mechanisms, but most of the needs of a newborn are satisfied only by an adult, the mother.
- In the first month, the baby must “make friends” with bacteria, so the number of leukocytes in his blood is increased, which destroy harmful microorganisms (when the baby has grown a little, this task is already transferred to the parents. Check out our Healthy Baby course >>>;
- The baby has an increased heart rate and breathing, and body temperature may fluctuate;
- Increased number of red blood cells and increased hemoglobin, which contributes to intense oxygen saturation;
- All basic unconditioned reflexes are clearly expressed;
- There is a rapid increase in muscle mass, etc. Read about how a baby develops in the first year of life in the article Child development by month to year >>>
You might think that a newborn baby can grow and develop independently, receiving only nutrition and minimal care from its parents. This is wrong. The need for safety, affection, attention, communication is present in a child from the first days of life.
Being deprived of this, the child experiences great stress and this is reflected in his behavior: he sucks the breast longer, has difficulty falling asleep, cries when trying to let him go, sleeps very lightly.
Modern environmental conditions also do not allow the baby to relax, creating new difficulties:
- he breathes dusty air;
- his skin becomes dry and sensitive;
- we often wrap him up, constantly wear diapers and rompers, which can cause increased sweating and irritation on the skin;
- running water is full of harmful microbes;
- children's cosmetical tools may contain allergens.
Therefore, in the first month of a newborn’s life a necessary condition for his health and development is your daily parental care and care. It is important to do this skillfully and carefully, without interfering with natural mechanisms.
Daily child care during the newborn period
So, every day you will need to perform up to ten different procedures. For greater convenience, so as not to forget or confuse anything, I recommend developing a specific schedule for yourself in the first month and constantly sticking to it.
Morning routines
First hygiene procedures should be done in the morning after the baby wakes up. You should start by changing diapers or diapers.
- Washing;
- After the first feeding, you can wash your newborn's face. It is recommended to do this with damp cotton pads soaked in warm boiled water;
- First you must wipe the eyes, using a separate disc for each. Movements should begin from the corner of the eye to the bridge of the nose. Learn more about how and what to wash a newborn’s eyes with >>>. After this, wipe the rest of the face in a similar way: cheeks, forehead, chin;
- Much attention should be paid to the ears. Take a good look at the skin behind the ear. After wiping it with a damp disc, if necessary, lubricate this area with moisturizing cream or sterilized vegetable oil;
- Next, start cleaning your ears. A newborn's ear canals are very short, so we don't go too deep. Only remove wax that is located at the entrance to the ear canal. Important article on how to clean newborns' ears >>>;
- The same rule must be followed when cleaning the spout. If the child breathes well, there are no dry crusts interfering with breathing, then we leave the nose alone. There is no need to poke cotton wool into it unnecessarily - this is a very unpleasant procedure for the baby. Read the current article: How to clean a newborn’s nose? >>>;
Attention! Don't try to clean out all the mucus! This will deprive the newborn of a natural defense mechanism, because the mucus in the nose prevents harmful microbes from entering through the nostrils.
- The mouth of a newborn does not require any hygienic care at all. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity is very thin and delicate and can be easily damaged. Just in the first month, try to ensure that all objects that enter the child’s mouth are sterilized or disinfected.
- Navel treatment.
- One of the most important tasks for a mother in the first month of a newborn’s life is treating his umbilical wound. This is a very responsible matter - it is necessary to prevent the development of the inflammatory process and promote its rapid healing;
- It is important to remember here that you cannot peel off the dry crusts that form (they need to be soaked and only those that separate themselves must be removed);
- It is also not recommended to lubricate the wound with colored disinfectant solutions, which will not allow you to see the emerging redness in time. Such products should generally not be used more than twice a day, as this can cause burns.
Routine care
Hygienic care for a 1 month old baby is also necessary during the day. Make sure your newborn is always dry.
- Changing diaper;
- It is necessary to regularly check the condition of the diaper and change it promptly. Since urine and feces irritate the baby’s skin, after removing dirty clothes, be sure to wash the baby;
- It is important to remember that when washing a child, hand movements must be made from front to back. Current article: How to wash a newborn girl and boy?>>>;
- It is not necessary to wash the newborn's genitals every time. You can (if the surrounding skin is clean) wipe the baby with special sanitary napkins (for information on which napkins are best to choose and whether they should be used, read the article Wet wipes for newborns >>>);
- It would be nice to give the baby air baths after removing the diaper. This way the skin will breathe and primary hardening will begin.
Important! I would like to draw your attention to the fact that you should not keep your baby in a diaper all day. Dress him in rompers or panties, use gauze diapers.
- Processing folds;
- Throughout the day, you need to carefully examine the skin around the genitals, anus and all folds. It should be dry and free of irritation! This procedure will serve as a good prevention of diaper rash. An important article will help you: Diaper rash in newborns >>>;
- If you find redness, you should treat these sensitive areas with powder or baby cream (vegetable oil). You only need to use one product!
Evening care
Evening hygiene care is to prepare the newborn for sleep.
- Bathing;
- The main procedure of the evening is bathing. It is usually carried out before the last feeding. You need to bathe your baby every day. In the first month, it is recommended to use only boiled water;
- Decoctions can be added to the water periodically medicinal herbs. Once a week you can use baby detergents. Find out what herbs can be used for babies in the article Herbs for bathing a newborn >>>;
- Sometimes, if the child is too restless or sick, then bathing can be skipped.
- Evening treatments;
- In the first month of a newborn's life, while bathing him, you should try to remove yellow crusts, which are hidden under the child’s hair. Article
The first month of a baby’s life is magical and hectic at the same time. In the first month of a newborn’s life, it is necessary to learn how to feed, put to sleep and understand its constant requirements. And the beginning of a newborn’s life is especially densely saturated with them.
The first days of a newborn are quite simple. All that really matters to him is to eat every few hours, sleep well and often, have a dry diaper, and get lots of love. But for you, as a new parent, caring for a new baby can seem much more difficult. Therefore, focus only on the main points and basic needs of the child.
Child development 1 month of life
Your newborn does little more than eat, sleep, and cry. You will discover how your baby reacts to things like light, noise, and touch. You will see that your senses are working hard.
Vision in the first month of a child’s life
Your baby sees things best at a distance of 20 - 25 cm. This is the ideal distance for stare into the eyes of mom or dad.
Their eyes are especially sensitive to bright light, so babies are more likely to open their eyes in low light.
Don't worry if your child sometimes squints or rolls his eyes. This is normal until your child's vision improves and the eye muscles become stronger.
Let your child look at many attractive things. People's faces, contrasting patterns, bright colors, movement is what newborns enjoy most. Black and white photographs or toys will keep your child interested longer than objects or paintings with many similar colors.
The child must be able to follow slow movements of a face or object.
What can a baby hear before 1 month?
The child heard sounds while still in the womb. The mother's heartbeat, the gurgling of her digestive system, and even the sounds of her voice are part of the baby's world before birth.
When your baby is born, the sounds of the world around you are loud and clear. A child may be startled by the unexpected barking of a nearby dog or calmed by the gentle whirring of a hairdryer.
Pay attention to how the newborn reacts to the voice. The voices of people, especially parents, are a child’s favorite “music.” If your baby is crying in the cradle, see how quickly your approaching voice calms him down.
Taste and olfactory sensations of a newborn in the first month
Babies have a sense of taste and smell and will be attracted to sweet tastes rather than bitter ones. For example, a newborn will prefer to suckle on a bottle of sweetened water, but will turn away or cry if given something bitter or sour to taste. Likewise, newborns will be drawn to smells they prefer and will turn away from smells they dislike.
Research shows mom's diet affects taste breast milk. These first aromas will help shape taste preferences later. For example, a child whose mother ate spicy foods while breastfeeding will most likely be favorable towards spicy foods.
Touch is important for a newborn. With every touch, the newborn learns about life and its surroundings.
In the womb, babies are kept warm and protected, but after birth they feel cold, heat, and hard seams of clothing for the first time.
Make sure your newborn finds the outside world a calming place. Provide plenty of comfortable clothing and soft blankets, tender kisses, caresses and comforting hugs.
From the moment they are born, babies begin to respond to the world around them. Their reactions to their mother's hug or a loud noise are examples normal development child.
Doctors use these factors to determine whether development is progressing as expected. There is a wide range of what is considered normal, so some children acquire skills earlier or later than others.
What should a baby be able to do at 1 month of age?
Newborn behavior
- Turns head towards parents' voice or other sounds.
- Cries to communicate the need to be held or fed, changed diapers or put to bed.
- Stops crying when his desire is satisfied (the child was picked up, fed or put to bed).
Motor and physical development of a child in the first month
From the very beginning, the child has a set of reflexes designed to protect him and provide necessary help, even if parental instincts have not yet taken effect.
These early reflexes include the searching reflex, which helps locate the breast or feeding bottle, the sucking reflex (helps with eating), the grasping reflex (the one that causes your finger to clench when placed in your baby's palm), and the Moro reflex (a nervous response that he experiences when he is scared).
You can try testing your child's reflexes, but remember that your results may vary and will likely be less reliable than a doctor's test.
Emotional and social development of a child up to 1 month of life
- calms down from the voice and touch of the parents;
- can concentrate briefly.
Cognitive skills (thinking and learning)
- Looks at faces.
- Watches the parents' facial expressions.
Caring for a newborn in the first month of life
If you haven't spent much time around newborns, their fragility can be daunting.
Rules for caring for a child in the first month of life
- Be sure to wash your hands before handling your baby. Newborns do not yet have strong immunity, so they are susceptible to infection. Make sure that everyone who interacts with the child has clean hands;
- Be careful to support your baby's head and neck when carrying him or placing him in the crib;
- Don't shake your newborn, whether in play or frustration. Severe shaking can cause intracranial bleeding and even death. If you need to wake up your baby, don't do it by shaking the baby. Instead, tickle your baby's feet or gently stroke his cheek;
- You must make sure that the baby in the carrier, stroller or car seat is properly secured. Limit any activity that may be too rough or vigorous for your baby.
Remember that a 1 month old newborn is not prepared for rough play such as shaking or tossing.
How to care for a newborn in the first month?
Caring for a newborn at home includes feeding, changing a diaper, changing clothes, caring for the umbilical wound, trimming nails, bathing, and putting to bed.
Feeding a newborn
How to feed your newborn in the first month, breast or bottle, is decided by the mother.
You may be confused about how often to do this. As a rule, it is recommended to feed children on demand, that is, whenever he seems hungry. The baby may give signs by crying, fist-sucking, or smacking sounds.
A newborn baby needs to be fed every 2 to 3 hours. If you are breastfeeding, allow your baby to nurse for about 10 to 15 minutes on each breast. If you are formula feeding, give about 60 - 90 milliliters at each feeding. For each individual baby, you can individually calculate the one-time volume of the mixture.
When feeding with formula, you can easily control the amount of food. But if you are breastfeeding a baby, it will be a little more difficult. If the baby seems satisfied, has about six wet diapers and bowel movements several times a day, the baby sleeps well and is gaining weight well, then there is no shortage of food.
Before changing a diaper, make sure that all supplies are within reach so that you do not have to leave your baby alone on the changing table.
To change a diaper you need:
- clean diaper;
- diaper ointment if your baby has a rash;
- a container filled with warm water;
- clean cloth, wet wipes or cotton pads.
After each bowel movement, or if the diaper is wet, place the baby on his back and remove the dirty diaper. Using water, cotton pads and wipes, gently wipe the baby's genitals. When changing a boy's diaper, do so with caution, as exposure to air can trigger urination.
When drying a girl, wipe the perineum from the labia to the butt to avoid urinary tract infections. Apply ointment to prevent and treat rashes.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after changing a diaper.
Diaper rash is a common problem. As a rule, it is red and raised. After a few days it will disappear with bathing in warm water, using diaper cream and small quantity time spent without him. Most rashes occur because the skin is sensitive and irritated by a wet diaper.
To prevent or treat diaper rash, try a number of ways:
- Change your baby's diaper often and as soon as possible after a bowel movement.
- After washing, apply barrier cream. Zinc creams are preferable because they form a moisture barrier.
- Leave your baby without a diaper for a while. This gives the skin the opportunity to take an air bath.
If the diaper rash continues for more than 3 days or seems to get worse, contact your doctor. The rash may be caused by a fungal infection that requires medication.
Cloth
You will change your baby many times a day.
Here Some tips to help make work more enjoyable - for the baby and for you:
- start with comfortable clothes. Search elastic fabrics; wide necks; loose sleeves, cuffs and ankles; buttons, latches or zippers on front side clothes, not on your back. Lace may look adorable on your little girl, but it can be scratchy or even tangle your little one's fingers, so save it for special occasions;
- Attach a bib if your baby spits up regularly. After all, it is much easier to replace than clothes.
Caring for the umbilical wound and circumcision
Taking care of the umbilical wound is very important. Experts suggest wiping the area with alcohol until the umbilical cord dries and falls off.
The baby's navel area should not be immersed in water until the umbilical cord has fallen and the area has healed.
Consult your doctor if the navel area becomes red or feels bad smell or discharge appears.
If a boy is circumcised, immediately after the procedure the head of the penis is covered with gauze coated with Vaseline to prevent the wound from sticking to the diaper. After changing the diaper, carefully wipe the head with clean warm water, then apply Vaseline. Redness or irritation of the penis should heal in a few days, but if the redness, swelling, or pus-filled blisters worsen, contact your doctor immediately.
Nails grow before the baby is born, so you can get a manicure in the first week of life. This procedure should be carried out every 2 - 3 days in the first month, until the nails harden and stop growing so quickly.
When trimming, hold your child's finger by pressing the fingertip down and away from the nail. Gently trim your nails, following the natural curve of the nail. Make sure you don't cut it too low or make sudden movements. While holding your tiny toes, trim your nails straight without rounding to the edges. Remember that toenails grow slower and therefore require less maintenance.
Although you won't feel very well, try not to worry if you hurt your baby. This happens to all well-meaning moms. Apply pressure to the wound with a soft, clean, lint-free cloth or gauze pad, and the bleeding will soon stop.
Bathing Basics
You should rub your baby with a soft sponge until the umbilical cord falls off and the belly button is completely healed (1 - 4 weeks).
Prepare the following items before bathing a child:
- clean soft washcloth;
- mild baby soap and unscented shampoo;
- soft brush for scalp massage;
- towel or blanket;
- clean diaper;
- fresh clothes.
Rubdown
To do this, choose a flat, safe surface in a warm room. Fill a sink, if nearby, or a bowl with warm water. Undress your child and wrap him in a towel. Wipe your baby's eyes with clean cotton balls soaked in water. Movements should be directed from the inner corner to the outer.
Use a separate cotton ball for each eye. Wipe your baby's ears and nose with a damp cloth. Then blot the cloth again and, using a little soap, gently wash your face and pat dry.
Then lather baby shampoo and gently wash your baby's hair. Try to wash off the foam as thoroughly as possible. Gently wipe the body with a damp cloth, especially paying attention to the armpit folds, areas around the neck, behind the ears and in the genital area. Then you need to dry your skin, put on a diaper and clothes.
When your baby is ready to take a bath, the first baths should be short.
An infant bath will be added to the accessories listed above. A baby bathtub is a plastic tub that fits in a large bathtub. This is the best size for babies and makes bathing easier.
Make sure that the water in the bath is no more than 5 - 7 cm deep. Undress your baby in a warm room, then immediately place him in water to prevent chills. Slowly lower the baby up to his chest into the bath, holding his head with one hand.
Wash your face and hair with a washcloth. Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips or a soft baby brush.
When you rinse shampoo or soap from your baby's head, place your hand on the forehead so that the foam flows to the sides and does not get soap into the eyes.
Gently wash the rest of your baby's body with water.
Throughout the bath, constantly pour water over the child so that he does not catch a cold. After bathing, immediately wrap your baby in a towel, making sure it covers his head.
A baby towel with a hood is great for keeping a freshly washed baby warm.
When bathing your child, never leave him alone. If you need to leave the bathroom, wrap your baby in a towel and take him with you.
Sleep Basics
A newborn who seems to need you every minute of the day actually sleeps for about 16 hours or more. Newborns typically sleep for 2 to 4 hours. Don't expect him to sleep through the night. Babies' digestive systems are so small that they need food every few hours, and babies must wake up if they haven't been fed within 4 hours.
Place your baby on their back or side to sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, remove all fluffy items from the bed, quilts, sheepskins, Stuffed Toys and pillows to make sure that the baby does not get tangled in them and cannot suffocate.
Also, in order to prevent one-sided flattening of the head, be sure to alternate the position of the baby every night.
For many newborns, days and nights are “confused.” They tend to be awake at night and sleep more during the day. One way to help them is to keep nighttime agitation to a minimum. Keep the light low when using a night light. Talk and play with your baby throughout the day. When your baby wakes up during the day, try to keep him up a little longer by talking and playing.
Encouraging your newborn to learn
As parents care for their newborn, he learns to recognize touch, the sound of voices and the sight of faces.
In the first weeks you can start several simple, age-appropriate toys that develop hearing, vision and tactile sensations.
- Rattles.
- Kids toys.
- Musical toys.
- Unbreakable bed mirrors.
Try toys and mobiles with contrasting colors and patterns. Strong contrasts (such as red, white and black), curves and symmetry stimulate baby's vision development. As vision improves and children gain more control over their movements, they will increasingly interact with their environment.
While the focus these days is naturally on keeping baby healthy, it becomes much more difficult if mom doesn't stay healthy herself. So make your health a priority in the first month after giving birth. A short fifteen-minute nap will allow you to renew yourself a little.
Keep a supply of easily accessible but nutritious foods such as cheese sticks, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, fruits and prepared vegetables so that you can eat frequently. Know that your nutritional needs will be higher if you breastfeed.
Feeding
When the baby turns 1 month old, he needs to be fed at least 6 times a day. Try not to control feeding times too strictly; let your baby determine how much and how often he wants to eat.
Allow your 1 month old baby to sleep enough, be sensitive to his signals.
Even at this early stage, try to put your baby in his crib when he is tired but not yet asleep. Most young babies go to bed soon after feeding and their sleep window can be very short.
Behavior
You may see early smiles when your newborn is a month old. But most likely this will be due to their reflexes, and not to their reaction. Closer to six weeks, the child will give a true smile. Many children develop colic at the age of 1 month.
Motor skills of a child at 1 month
A 1 month old baby will be stronger than a newborn. He might be able to raise his head a short time when held upright or lying on the stomach. He might even be able to turn it from side to side. But you will still need to provide him with support.
Your baby also becomes more expressive and may start cooing when he sees family. Be sure to respond to his efforts to encourage these communication skills.
How to develop a baby at 1 month?
- Ensure that your baby is placed on his tummy every day. This will help develop muscles in the neck and upper torso;
- turn on music and try not to filter your child’s world. While it may be tempting to tiptoe around the house when your baby is sleeping, this will cause your baby to become sensitive to environmental noise. Babies who come into families with many small children do not respond to household noise and learn to adapt because they have to.
All children are unique and go through developmental milestones at their own pace. Recommendations for development simply show what the baby can realize. And if not at the moment, then in the very near future.
If you have questions or concerns, ask your doctor for advice possible solutions that will help you and your baby grow together.
High-quality care for a baby in the first stages of life is very important. But not every young mother knows how to properly care for a newborn and what to pay attention to in the first months of the child’s life. The baby is very vulnerable and requires maximum protection, since his skin is very delicate and susceptible to external irritants; improper care can lead to inflammation and skin diseases. To avoid various kinds irritations and infections, you need to provide your child with proper care.
Washing your baby is one of the first morning rituals. This procedure should be carried out using a cotton pad or swab. A baby's face up to two months should be washed exclusively with warm boiled water. room temperature. It is important to pay attention to all folds of skin on the face and neck of the newborn, if this is not done, it may occur, which will bring discomfort to your child. 
Therefore, after washing, you should lubricate all folds with baby cream or oil. But do not forget that before washing the newborn, mom or dad must disinfect their hands by washing them with soap before starting the procedure.
Washing and caring for the genitals
You need to take care of your child’s genitals very carefully from the first days of life. From proper care future reproductive function depends. There are basic rules for the washing ritual that are suitable for both:
- The child should be washed under running water at room temperature, preferably after each bowel movement.
- In the first months, to avoid dry skin, you should minimize the use of soap.
- It is not recommended to use adult cosmetics for children.
- To avoid discomfort and chafing, do not use baby oil and powder at the same time. Because the powder will roll off.
- If you are unable to wash away any remaining stool, you should carefully remove it with a cotton swab dipped in baby oil.
Before the washing ritual, you should fold everything in advance necessary items hygiene for a newborn: oil or powder, a heated towel and cotton products (sponges or cotton swabs). But the washing process has its own characteristics depending on the gender of the child. - Features of washing girls.
An important point to pay attention to. In the first weeks of life, girls may develop a light coating on their labia. But parents should not worry, if there is not a lot of it, it will be absorbed into the skin over time without additional manipulation, but if the amount exceeds the norm, then it should be carefully removed.
Natural lactic acids in plaque can cause irritation and inflammation in a child. To prevent this from happening, you need to carefully remove the plaque using boiled water at room temperature and a cotton swab. If you repeat this procedure regularly, the plaque will disappear within 3 days. A girl, like a boy, should be washed after each shift. Before the procedure, be sure to wash your hands with soap. The genitals should be rinsed with running warm water from the labia to the anus, so that fecal residues do not cause inflammatory processes. It is not recommended to use wet wipes on a regular basis; it is better to leave them for those cases when it is not possible to wash the child.
Important! Cleanliness should be moderate, as overdoing it can cause partial fusion of the labia minora!At frequent use soap and other cosmetics injure the mucous membrane and cause an inflammatory process, which causes fusion to occur.
After washing, you should moisturize the genitals and the folds around them with baby cream or baby oil, since skin Children of this age are rather dry.
- Features of washing boys.
Experts recommend exclusively external washing of the genitals with soap and nothing else. External washing is washing the genitals from the outside, without invading the baby's foreskin. It is important to remember that the procedure of “penetrating” a boy’s foreskin can lead to injury, and we must also not forget that regular washing of the genitals inside with soap can wash away all the antibacterial lubricant that serves protective barrier The child has. Over time, the foreskin gradually peels off and dead cells gradually accumulate under the foreskin. There is nothing wrong with this, since the genital organ cleans itself on its own at the time of urination. That's why additional processes no cleaning required.
These features will help you approach the issue of bathing correctly and not harm the child.
Treatment of the umbilical wound
In the first days of a baby’s life, special attention should be paid to the umbilical wound. It must be remembered that a wound is an opportunity for infections to enter, so its treatment should be approached competently:
- The umbilical wound should be treated 2 times a day - in the morning and after evening bathing.
- To remove discharge from the wound, as well as for complete treatment, you should use 3% hydrogen peroxide and a cotton pad or cotton swab.
- It is important to ensure that no peroxide or discharge remains in the wound.
- After cleansing the umbilical wound, it is lubricated with brilliant green.
On average, the umbilical wound heals on the 19th day of a child’s life. But until the wound has healed, you need to try to minimize the number of ways infections can enter the umbilical wound. Bathing
Before the beginning daily procedures Before bathing, you should definitely check all the details with your pediatrician. Full bathing of the child is allowed only when the umbilical wound is completely healed.
The water should be at room temperature - 36-37 degrees. If you plan to harden your child from the first days of life, you should gradually reduce the water temperature.
Did you know? The baby will not drown if he is placed completely in water with his head. The swimming reflex is activated in the child's body. Floundering movements allow you to swim underwater. At the same time, the baby’s body includes a protective function, preserving oxygen for the functioning of the lungs and heart.
You can bathe your baby in a special baby bath, but you can also use a regular bathtub, the main thing is to treat it in advance. Clean with soda solution or a special product. Four basic rules of bathing:
- The bathing procedure should be daily.
- The air temperature in the bathroom should be comfortable, without drafts.
- You can use cosmetics 1, maximum 2 times a week.
- After bathing, you need to thoroughly dry your baby's skin. Dry the skin folds with special care. To moisturize the skin after bathing, you should use baby milk, cream or oil.
Particular attention should be paid to the position of the baby when bathing. It is better to hold the baby with both hands; after immersion in the bath, you should also hold the neck. You can purchase special accessories for bathing - bath nets or foam nets on which the baby lies while bathing.
In life, it must be correct and accurately carry out all procedures important for the child. Therefore, special attention should be paid to caring for the baby’s eyes. You need to wash the eyes from the outer edge to the inner, and for each eye you need to use a new swab or cotton pad.
If your baby has purulent clots in the corners of the eyes, you should use chamomile infusion or weakly brewed tea for rinsing. 
If you have inflammation, you should definitely consult a doctor and not use medications on your own.
Cleaning your nose and ears
After birth, the baby develops crusts in his nose, which prevent him from breathing. To clean the nose, you should use baby oil - drop a few drops into each nostril. Using a cotton swab, carefully remove the crusts.
Important! It is important to remember that a newborn has a very delicate mucous membrane, which can be damaged by careless movement. Therefore, it is not recommended to use cotton swabs or cotton wool wrapped on a hard object, so as not to hurt the child.
When washing, you need to make sure that water does not flow into the baby’s ears. To clean the ears, you need to twist the cotton wool into a thin rope or small swab and clean the ear canal with gentle movements. Nail trimming
Newborns' nails grow very quickly, and to prevent the child from scratching himself while awake or asleep, nails should be trimmed once a week. To do this, you should buy a special kit for children's manicure. The scissors in it are safe, with rounded edges, so when cutting nails, there will be no danger of injuring the baby. You can also trim fingernails and toenails when the baby is sleeping, so he doesn't roll around, which simplifies the process.
On initial stage In the life of a baby, diapers need to be changed regularly. On average 4-6 times. The baby's whims serve as a signal to change the diaper, and this procedure is also expected immediately after feeding.
After washing, you should dry the crotch and folds so that the baby does not develop diaper rash after wearing a diaper. When changing a diaper, do not forget about what hygiene products a newborn needs; for example, powder or baby cream are perfect for the delicate skin of a baby’s bottom. If the umbilical wound is open, the diaper should be worn in such a way that it does not touch the umbilical wound and does not irritate the skin.
Did you know? The prototype of the first diapers in the USSR appeared during research, the subject of which was the preparation of the first space flights with human participation. And the first disposable diaper was based on sawdust. And he appeared in the USA.
Disposable diapers are considered the most practical for newborns. When choosing diapers, you should carefully study the markings on the pack. As a rule, the size for which the diapers are intended is also indicated. The use of wet wipes should be minimized as much as possible, since most of them contain trace elements that can cause irritation. Therefore, experts recommend using napkins only when absolutely necessary. The process of changing a diaper is also important. You need to carefully lift the baby's bottom and pass a clean diaper underneath. You need to fasten the diaper tightly, but not tightly, so that two of your fingers fit between the diaper and the baby's body.
For a newborn, you should use washed and ironed diapers. You need to iron the diaper on all sides. And the presence of a steamer will make it soft and pleasant to touch the body.
Before swaddling, you should wash your baby and put a clean diaper on him. It is also necessary to take into account the temperature in the room, if it is cold, then you need to use two, if the room is hot, then you can use the free principle of swaddling, when the newborn’s hands are above the edge of the diaper.
A child wrapped in a diaper should feel comfortable, nothing should press or disturb him. 
Choice of clothes
Caring for a child from the first days of life is not only about maintaining a comfortable living environment and cleanliness of the baby, but also about properly selected clothes. It is worth buying essential clothes for a newborn a couple of months before his birth.
There are 6 basic selection rules for babies:
- You should choose natural clothes. Cotton is best. Baby's skin is very sensitive, so artificial fibers in the composition can cause irritation or allergies. Cotton is pleasant to the body, soft and will not cause discomfort to the child.
- First of all, the baby should be comfortable in clothes. There shouldn't be any pressure. Therefore, you should avoid clothing with tight elastic bands, snaps or buttons. Clothing with elastic bands can put pressure on the arms and neck, and the buttons on the back will still put pressure on the baby, causing discomfort.
- It is very important that all the seams on the clothes are external, then this will help avoid chafing the toddler’s skin.
- Rompers, T-shirts - everything should be the size of the baby. Small clothes will constrain the child, and outfits bigger size will not give you the opportunity to warm up.
Let's consider a set of clothes by season. - Clothing for the first summer. Summer clothes The child's seat should easily allow air and moisture to pass through. Light bodysuits or blouses are just right for hot weather.
Did you know? Back in the 19th century, children of different sexes were dressed the same - in short dresses with low waist. At that time, a baby was considered an unformed personality, and they were treated like little angels.
It is worth paying careful attention to the selection of the cap. When going for a walk, you should not forget about this important element. The cap will protect the baby from the possibility of catching a cold in the ears in windy weather and will protect against sunstroke. - First winter clothes. The main clothing for a newborn in winter is a jumpsuit. Therefore, when choosing this important element clothing, you should pay attention to the following points:
- Type and thickness of insulation.
- Outer material of the overalls.
- Cut.
When choosing seasonal clothes for your baby, it is always important to remember his comfort and convenience. Feeding
This is one of the main points in caring for newborn babies. Feeding a child in the first months of life is a very responsible process that needs to be approached wisely. For the first six months, it is better to breastfeed the child, and from the age of six months, gradually transfer to complementary foods.
Feeding a child in the first days has no restrictions on quantity; all experts recommend feeding the child according to his wishes. You need to breastfeed your baby when he is hungry and asks for food. Thanks to such manipulations, y will begin to be produced required quantity milk that the child consumes at one time. 
Very young babies can ask for breastfeeding up to 15 times a day. The right thing to do is to listen to the child; he will set the time and scope of feeding himself. The average feeding time varies from 10 to 40 minutes, it all depends on the baby’s hunger.
Walks
Starting from the second week, you can safely go for a walk. Initial walks can be 15 minutes, over time this time needs to be increased by adding 5-10 minutes. Further, the average walking time will be 2-3 hours. In the cold season, you should prepare more carefully for walks. Since a newborn’s thermoregulation develops gradually, it is important not to overcool the baby at this stage. 
Experts recommend walking with children several times a day for 30-40 minutes. But the time can be adjusted depending on the child’s well-being and weather conditions.
Important! When getting ready for a walk, it is important to remember that the mother dresses first, and then the child. The opposite should not be done, as the child may sweat and catch a cold. You cannot overheat your child, so you should dress him for a walk according to the weather, without additional insulation.
12 basic rules that should be followed not only in the first months of life, but throughout infancy, will allow young and inexperienced mothers to understand how to care for a newborn baby. This will provide the baby with a comfortable period of adaptation to the environment and will help protect the baby from possible infections and.
Give a birth to a baby- this is only half the battle, but what to do with a small screaming lump that you don’t know how to approach and calm?
At such moments, you begin to regret that you did not study the literature on caring for a newborn in advance. It’s good if grandmothers or sisters are nearby, but what if not? All responsibility for care falls entirely on your shoulders. But don't worry, this article contains the most important tips for new parents. We will analyze all the nuances. You will learn yourself and teach your husband, who in the future will be able to become an excellent assistant in caring for your child.
Preliminary preparation
A pregnant mother should first think about the dowry of her unborn baby. The first days, weeks, and year of a child are the most important. He should have everything he needs from clothing, accessories, furniture and care products. The most important - all this should be in one place and preferably in one room. Think about furniture and its ergonomics. In addition to the crib and stroller, buy a large and comfortable chest of drawers with drawers, a changing table, and auxiliary materials. - a costly and responsible business. It is important to be able to distribute finances and not buy too much. So what is needed:
1. Diapers or nappies. The bigger, the better. 15-20 pieces are enough. If you are against diapers, then buy absorbent diapers or regular ones, but 3 times more. They should be pleasant to the touch and dry quickly. You will need both thin (preferably knitted) and warm (flannel). If the baby was born in the cold season, buy more warm diapers and vice versa. Wash them with baby powder and iron with a hot iron. It is not recommended to use balms and fabric softeners to avoid causing allergies. There should be several packs of diapers, as they are used up very quickly. At first, you may need 10-15 pieces per day. Buy the smallest ones. They have size «0» or marking "new born".
2. Bodysuit, different blouses. Remember important rule: Clothes must be without internal seams and ties! The seams can put pressure on the baby's delicate skin, and the ties can cause an accident. Also avoid clothes with buttons and zippers. Small parts can come off and also lead to unpleasant consequences. Clothes with buttons are ideal. Just check the quality of the fastening. Make sure the fabric is soft and comfortable.
3. Thin overalls and one warm one. It’s convenient to put your baby to sleep in a thin one, just don’t forget to wear a diaper underneath. Insulated ones are suitable for walking. For winter, choose a sheepskin filling that will keep you warm and will not cause excessive sweating.
4. Hats. You will need one thin and 2-3 warm ones. Have you forgotten the rule? No strings attached!
5. Socks – warm and thin (3-5 pairs). Check the elastic - it should not be tight.
6. Wool blanket and a flannelette blanket made from natural fabrics.
What other important advice can you give to young parents regarding dowry? Do not buy the pillow as it is dangerous for newborns. You will fold a diaper instead. Also, avoid the sides of the crib - they interfere with air circulation and reduce visibility for parents. If you were given such side panels and there is nowhere to go, put them not on four sides of the crib, but on two, or leave gaps.
Accessories, first aid kit and additional items
1. Salicylic-zinc ointment and brilliant green (hydrogen peroxide is possible) for treating the umbilical cord.
2. Cotton buds with limiters, a lot of cotton pads, sterile cotton wool, wet and dry wipes. It is advisable to buy special wet wipes for children - they are economical, large and saturated with care products. For example, aloe or chamomile oil.
3. Children's scissors with round ends for trimming nails.
4. Herbs for bathing and potassium permanganate. Convenient bags of herbs that you simply put in the bath.
5. Products for treating folds and skin under the diaper. Choose from: baby oil, baby cream or powder. Oil does not always help and is more suitable for dry areas. Apply the cream until completely absorbed thin layer– he best takes care of folds. Powder is good for diaper rash - but apply it in small quantities.
6. Pipette and anti-colic remedies: Bobotik, Sub-Simplex, Dill water, anise water or Espumisan.
Necessary for a new mother
Includes itself and necessary funds for Mom:
Cream Betanten or Panthenol, which will protect delicate skin nipples when feeding the baby;
breast pads (absorbent thin). They are convenient to place in a bra to prevent breast milk from getting on the fabric;
nursing bra or with detachable straps;
pads with maximum absorbency;
bandage (needed after childbirth);
special pads for the breast (facilitate the feeding process);
breast pump
Morning care for a newborn baby
Caring for a newborn baby in the first months of life is a series of the same repeated actions. Place in a bowl warm water and take sterile cotton wool. Moisten it with water and gently, without pressing, walk from the outer edge of the eye to the inner. You should also clean your nose with cotton swabs. Pre-moisten them in water or saline solution and squeeze them out. Remove crusts from the nose and clean the ears with new wet flagella.
Be sure to take care of your umbilical wound in the morning. Drop some hydrogen peroxide into it. After it foams, carefully remove all the crusts and treat the wound with brilliant green (you can use salicylic-zinc ointment).
How to put on a diaper correctly?
Diapers– this is a real salvation for mothers. They make it easier newborn baby care and allow the baby to feel comfortable longer. It should be changed as soon as the baby poops, because feces are not absorbed and begin to irritate the baby’s skin. Remember that you should not keep your baby in a diaper for more than three hours. Periodically let him lie completely naked on the diaper to allow his skin to breathe.
1. Wash your baby with baby soap (after pooping) or wipe with a damp cloth.
2. Gently blot soft towel.
3. Apply the diaper cream in a thin layer and wait until completely absorbed. Do not allow white streaks of cream to appear in the folds!
4. Open the diaper, stretch it slightly and straighten it. Lay your baby on her back and slide the diaper under her bottom. If there is no recess for the navel, then bend the top edge of the diaper towards you so that it does not rub the umbilical wound. Secure the diaper with Velcro on both sides and make sure that it does not press or wrinkle anywhere.
How to get ready for a walk?
If there are no medical contraindications for mother and baby, then going for a walk is allowed from the very first days of life. You definitely need to take a walk with your baby! If the weather is bad, still pack up your baby and take the stroller out onto the balcony. This contributes good sleep and strengthening the immune system. How to dress? 2 times warmer than yourself. Go out first for 40 minutes, then increase the time of walking.
How to feed your baby?
Newborn care includes washing, putting to bed and, of course, feeding. Only breastfeed if you have enough milk. It contains everything that is most valuable and useful for the baby and no other mixture can compare with it. Until the baby is six months old, do not give him any other food or drink - human milk contains the essentials. Let the baby be the master - feed him at the slightest demand (crying) and do not remove the breast before the baby releases it himself.
How to bathe a small child?
Daily bathing- this is what provides quality care for a newborn baby. Measure the temperature with a water thermometer - it should not exceed 37 degrees. You can test the water with the inside of your wrist. To make your navel heal faster, disinfect the water by adding potassium permanganate. The water should turn pale pink. If you have diaper rash and other skin problems, add herbal infusion. It is recommended that children bathe with soap once a week. The rest of the time, use only water. Don't forget to wash your hair. After water procedures dry the baby, put on a hat, treat the navel and all folds (on the neck, between the legs, under the knees, on the elbow, wrists) and wrap it in a diaper.
How to put you to bed?
- This is a lifesaver that allows the baby to quickly fall asleep. It is advisable to swaddle him before going to bed. This is necessary for one simple reason: muscle tone usually prevents newborns from sleeping; their legs and arms can involuntarily move and thereby prevent normal sleep. Newborn care simple if you follow the rules. Sing a song or take a walk before bed, feed the baby. Ventilate the room and place the baby on his side so that he does not choke from regurgitation. Support his back with a diaper. Change his body position periodically.
Problems and solutions
Problem #1: dry skin of unknown color. The baby may be reddish from capillaries or yellowish from something normal called neonatal jaundice. If the pediatrician is not worried, then you have nothing to worry about. Dryness is also normal for children early years life. The care of a newborn should include the use of cream. This will help the skin quickly become more hydrated and soft.
Problem #2: Hiccups. When feeding, air enters the baby's body. Massage your tummy clockwise or walk around the room, holding it in a column.
Problem #3: spitting up. To avoid this, learn to avoid gaps between the mouth and nipple. After eating, carry in an upright position.
Problem #4: Coughing and sneezing. This normal phenomenon, if the baby is not frozen anywhere.
How to dress a baby?
To newborn care was correct, you need to learn not to overheat your child with clothes. Children get cold quickly, but at the same time easily overheat. At home and on the street, dress him the same way you dress yourself, adding another layer of clothing. When purchasing, be sure to try on clothes - they should be quick and easy to put on. The neck should not be tight. Avoid small parts, pull the buttons or clasps - they should be firmly sewn to the clothing. Make sure the fabric is breathable. To find out if your baby is dressed warmly enough, check the temperature in the neck area. If it is cool, wear something warm.
Is the pacifier friend or foe?
If the baby is on breastfeeding, you should not give a pacifier, otherwise the baby will simply refuse the breast. When crying, apply it to yourself immediately. If the child eats formula, then the nipple will satisfy sucking reflex completely and will calm the baby. Buy 2 nipples and alternate them. Don't forget to disinfect before giving. If you see a finger in the baby's mouth, then give him the breast: what if this is a sign of hunger? This will feed him and calm him down at the same time.
Heartbreaking crying is colic
Massage the tummy clockwise, give the remedy and apply a warm sheet. Such manipulations will quickly help get rid of unpleasant sensations in the tummy.
Communication with the baby
Avoid loud noises, noisy guests and loud music. Communicate with the baby in a gentle and quiet voice. Never ignore crying and pick him up at the first call. Your movements should be smooth, whether it's putting him in the crib, diving into the water, or playing with a rattle.
What to do with diaper rash?
Include healing products in your newborn care. Ventilate your skin, it should always be dry. Bathe your baby in a decoction of herbs using a baby moisturizer for bathing. The German company Bubchen and its ointment have proven themselves to be excellent Bepanten.
How can dad help?
Remember that your wife now has a lot of work to do with minimal sleep. Unload her by taking on some of the household responsibilities. Before leaving the maternity hospital, clean your apartment and, if possible, decorate it. Since the wife will still be very weak after the maternity hospital, she will also need your care, just like the baby. Help with everything, offer tea, wash the dishes, and then she will appreciate your efforts and be filled with strength to care for the baby.