Health and Me

Riya Baibhawi

Baby Hygiene: Step-by-Step Baby Cleaning Routine

Baby Hygiene (Credit-Freepik)

Often cleaning a wiggly baby is difficult and for several reasons, you are advised to bathe newborn babies one to two times a week. If your child gets bathed more than that their skin might dry out. When you are a new parent, try to have another person with you to keep an eye on the child and avoid any mistakes. We have compiled a comprehensive cleaning routine for your baby's care. A few things you should keep near you while you are bathing your child are a basin of warm water, a clean towel diapers and a soft washcloth.

Wash your hands first! Use warm water on a cotton ball or washcloth to clean your baby's face and eyes. Wipe from the inner corner of their eye towards the outer corner. Use a fresh cotton ball for each wipe. Their skin is very sensitive so using soft cotton buds will be easier and better. This won’t irritate their skin and makes sure these sensitive spots are clean and this way you can avoid infections as well.

Gently pour warm water over your baby's head to wash their hair. Make sure that the water is lukewarm and not too uncomfortable. Use a soft washcloth to clean behind and around their ears, but don't put anything inside their ear canal. When you are using the earbud, gently clean the outward skin and not the canal. Pat your baby's head dry with a towel. 

After morning and evening feeds, use a damp washcloth with water to clean your baby's gums and any teeth that have come in. Once teeth arrive, brush them twice a day with a small, soft baby toothbrush and water. The bristles of the brush might hurt the babies’ gums so be extra careful and very slow. 

 Doing this is no easy task. Your child can get easily hurt and may not sit still for the trimming. Use special baby nail clippers or an emery board to trim your baby's nails. Have someone hold your baby or trim while they're calm and distracted. Be slow and gentle, even if the baby moves, it won’t get hurt.

5. Umbilical Cord Care (until it falls off)

 Although it is advised not to soak your babies in a bath until the cord has fallen off, you can give them sponge baths. Wash your hands before touching the cord stump. Clean the area with water and make sure it dries completely after bathing. Avoid covering the cord with plastic pants or tight diapers.

6. Cleaning the Genital Area

For girls gently wipe between the labia with a wet cotton ball or washcloth, starting from the front and wiping back. And for the boys, rinse the genital area with water during bath time. Only clean the outside of the foreskin. If you are using baby wipes, then be very gentle to not rash the skin near that area and cause discomfort to the baby.

Give your baby some diaper-free time each day to help prevent diaper rash. Fresh air is good for their skin!

Health Conditions A-Z

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baby hygiene

baby bathing

cleaning routine

baby care

newborn

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Often cleaning a wiggly baby is difficult and for several reasons, you are advised to bathe newborn babies one to two times a week. If your child gets bathed more than that their skin might dry out. When you are a new parent, try to have another person with you to keep an eye on the child and avoid any mistakes. We have compiled a comprehensive cleaning routine for your baby's care. A few things you should keep near you while you are bathing your child are a basin of warm water, a clean towel diapers and a soft washcloth.1. Gentle Face and EyesWash your hands first! Use warm water on a cotton ball or washcloth to clean your baby's face and eyes. Wipe from the inner corner of their eye towards the outer corner. Use a fresh cotton ball for each wipe. Their skin is very sensitive so using soft cotton buds will be easier and better. This won’t irritate their skin and makes sure these sensitive spots are clean and this way you can avoid infections as well.2. Hair and EarsGently pour warm water over your baby's head to wash their hair. Make sure that the water is lukewarm and not too uncomfortable. Use a soft washcloth to clean behind and around their ears, but don't put anything inside their ear canal. When you are using the earbud, gently clean the outward skin and not the canal. Pat your baby's head dry with a towel. 3. Teething TimeAfter morning and evening feeds, use a damp washcloth with water to clean your baby's gums and any teeth that have come in. Once teeth arrive, brush them twice a day with a small, soft baby toothbrush and water. The bristles of the brush might hurt the babies’ gums so be extra careful and very slow.  4. Trimming Tiny Nails Doing this is no easy task. Your child can get easily hurt and may not sit still for the trimming. Use special baby nail clippers or an emery board to trim your baby's nails. Have someone hold your baby or trim while they're calm and distracted. Be slow and gentle, even if the baby moves, it won’t get hurt.5. Umbilical Cord Care (until it falls off) Although it is advised not to soak your babies in a bath until the cord has fallen off, you can give them sponge baths. Wash your hands before touching the cord stump. Clean the area with water and make sure it dries completely after bathing. Avoid covering the cord with plastic pants or tight diapers.6. Cleaning the Genital AreaFor girls gently wipe between the labia with a wet cotton ball or washcloth, starting from the front and wiping back. And for the boys, rinse the genital area with water during bath time. Only clean the outside of the foreskin. If you are using baby wipes, then be very gentle to not rash the skin near that area and cause discomfort to the baby.7. Airing OutGive your baby some diaper-free time each day to help prevent diaper rash. Fresh air is good for their skin!