Caring for a newborn baby [from the first days] – a complete guide for parents

The first days of a newborn’s life: what you need to know

The nuances of caring for a baby require attention and patience from adults, because a delicate children’s body is an easy target for bacteria and microbes. We will analyze how to care for a newborn baby in the first month step by step so that the baby grows up healthy and happy.

How to care for the skin of a newborn

One of the important tasks in caring for a newborn in the first month of life is to maintain the good condition of delicate and sensitive skin that is prone to dryness. Simple recommendations for caring for a newborn will help to cope with common problems of children’s skin.

Do not rush to immediately buy the entire range of cosmetics for babies: simple water is enough to care for the skin of a newborn in the first months. If necessary, you can add a couple of drops of potassium permanganate, string or chamomile to the bath – but you should not do this often.

As the baby develops, care products can be gradually connected: three main positions will be enough for this:

• Mild cleansing: gel, cream or oil to gently remove impurities, hydrate and soothe the skin. All these properties are possessed by products from the Lipikar(1) line. For example, Lipikar Gel Lavant(2), a soothing shower gel with protective properties for sensitive skin of babies, children and adults, is an all-in-one cleanser for the whole family. Choose a package with a dispenser: it is very convenient for caring for a newborn, as you can use the product with one hand while bathing.

• Moisturizing cream for skin treatment after bathing. Look for light textures that are quickly absorbed, intensively moisturize and restore. With Shea Butter, La Roche-Posay Thermal Water and Niacinamide, Lipikar Lait(3) Hypoallergenic Milk formula nourishes and hydrates for up to 48 hours, providing long-lasting comfort to even the driest, most sensitive and delicate skin.

• Diaper cream with antibacterial ingredients that improves the process of skin repair and soothes. The cream can be applied after every diaper change to prevent or relieve irritation.

Rules for caring for the umbilical cord of a baby

The rest of the umbilical cord falls off 4-6 days after birth, exposing a small wound. The umbilical wound is the most vulnerable area on the baby’s body, it can serve as a gateway for bacteria and microbes. In the first days of a newborn’s life, it is necessary to treat frequently. Care instructions will be given by a doctor or nurse. What else do you need to know about caring for an umbilical wound? If it has not healed after 10-14 days, this is an occasion to contact a pediatrician.

Peculiarities of newborn scalp care

The formation of milk (seborrheic) crusts is a natural process, they appear in every second baby up to a year and do not cause discomfort. In the first months, the sebaceous and sweat glands of the baby do not fully cope with the load. Excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and forms yellowish growths. This condition, like any adaptation mechanism, passes over time – but if the crusts interfere with the care of the baby, they can be removed.

• Apply a little oil (for example, Vaseline) to the head and put on a cap for 30-60 minutes.
• Remove the cap and gently massage the affected area with your fingertips.
• Bathe the child: the water will gently wash away the softened crusts.
• If not all the crusts have gone away on their own, you should not remove them – repeat the procedure after a few days.

In no case should you comb the crusts dry – the risk of damaging the skin and infecting is too high. As you have already noticed, the rules for caring for a newborn are united by the main principle – strict adherence to safety precautions.

How to properly clean your baby’s ears and nose

The baby’s nose is cleaned with a tightly twisted cotton tourniquet: insert it into the nostril and carefully turn around the axis. If the scabs are dry and won’t budge, use baby nasal drops or some warm petroleum jelly to soften them. Use cotton swabs to clean your nose with caution: cotton wool can remain in the nasal passages, and the plastic base can damage the delicate mucous membrane.

When caring for a newborn baby, you should clean your ears very carefully, without getting into the ear canals. It is necessary to wipe only the auricle and the area behind the ears.

How to care for the eyes of a newborn

Newborn care recommendations include daily eye cleaning to help prevent infections. As a rule, crusts and small lumps of white discharge accumulate in the corners of the eyes in babies. In the morning, after waking up, the eyes of an infant are treated with a cotton pad dipped in warm boiled water, from the outer corner to the bridge of the nose. For each eye – a separate piece of cotton wool.

How to cut baby nails

Newborn nails are very sharp, the baby can easily injure the face and body, so 10-14 days after birth, it’s time to start cutting them every 5-7 days – or more often if the nails grow too quickly.

It is easiest to trim your nails after bathing, when they are soft and steamed, and the baby himself is relaxed and in a good mood. Take children’s scissors with rounded ends, treat with alcohol and cut the nails with confident movements: on the hands – in the form of a semicircle, on the legs – in a straight line to avoid ingrown corners.

Intimate hygiene for girls and boys

It is necessary to wash the baby from the first days of life before each diaper change. It is most convenient to do this in the sink, under running water – and use wet wipes only outside the home. Do not rush to put on a diaper: arrange air baths for your baby so that the skin folds dry out. Apply cream under the diaper, do a light massage.

How to care for a newborn girl to protect the genitals from the penetration of pathogens? Wash it from front to back – dirt from the anus will not enter the vagina and urethra. Treat small labia with a cotton swab with vaseline oil, gently removing white discharge. They are completely normal for a baby, but can cause itching and redness if not removed daily. Caring for a newborn boy is much easier: you can wash it in any direction.

Bathing tips for a newborn

Bathing for the first time can be exciting and awkward, but over time it becomes a favorite ritual that creates a special bond between parents and child. Simple rules and tips will help you care for your newborn while bathing:

• The best time to bathe is in the evenings, before feedings, as the warm water relaxes the baby and helps him fall asleep faster. But if after the bath the baby, on the contrary, becomes more cheerful, it is better to transfer the bath to the morning hours. The main thing is to bathe at the same time every day in order to develop a habit and normalize the regimen.
• It is most convenient to bathe a baby in a special bath, especially with a slide. An older baby from two months old can splash in a large bathtub, which must be thoroughly cleaned before each procedure.
• The optimal water temperature for a baby is about 37 ° C, so that he does not freeze and does not overheat, and the air in the bathroom is 24 ° C.
• Bathing a newborn with a detergent should be no more than 1-2 times a week in order to maintain the hydrolipidic mantle of the skin.
• Before bathing, prepare a towel, clean clothes and necessary cosmetics at arm’s length so as not to leave the child alone even for a split second.
• Gently submerge the baby in the water, first the legs and then the whole body. First wash the baby, then rinse the arms and legs, paying attention to each skin fold. Clean the perineum last.
• The optimal duration of the first bath is 5 minutes. For older children, it is up to 20-30 minutes. Bathing frequency – from 3 to 7 times a week.
• After bathing, gently pat your baby’s skin to remove excess moisture. Do not crush under any circumstances! Apply moisturizer, put on a diaper, clean clothes – and you can get ready for bed!

Features of caring for a newborn are difficult to remember the first time, but gradually you will begin to easily cope with the child, as if you always knew how to do it. Ask for support from loved ones, take time to relax – and get as much pleasure from the new stage of life as possible!