Cleaning & Diapering Your Baby
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008Baby Stools , Bathing & Cleaning , Cloth Diapers
New mothers will learn that the two activities that take up most of their time is feeding the baby and cleaning him. You will have to change diapers through the day and night at regular intervals for the first few months. Sometimes you will realize that through the day all you have done is feed and clean the baby and have not found time to do any of the other household chores. The only way to handle this pressure is to be organized and have a system arranging nappies, clothes, changing sheets, wash clothes and everything required by the baby in such a way that you can find it easily. Here are a few suggestions made by some parents:
If your house has more than one floor, establish a ‘nappy changing station’ on each floor of the house so that you have all the things you need on every floor and you don’t have to keep running up and down.
Keep a bag packed and ready with all the necessary baby items so that you can just pick it up and leave when you are going out.
Baby clothes can be put into a bucket of dilute soap solution, as soon as they are soiled and let to soak before washing.
Buy soft muslin that can be used to wipe the baby clean.
The other activity that takes up a lot of your time with a newborn is changing his diapers. You will need sometime to get used to changing diapers. Here is a list of things that you need to keep within reach while changing diapers:
A diaper.
If you are using a cloth diaper you will need fasteners to fasten the diaper and keep it in place.
A bowl of warm water and cotton balls or clean washcloth or diaper wipes if the baby is older. Babies have soft sensitive skin; it would be best to use warm water to wash them.
Nappy rash cream or petroleum jelly for protection against rashes.
A changing mat, cloth or another diaper to place the baby on if you are not using a changing table.
Ensure that all these items are close to you, so that you don’t have to leave the baby to get these things.
Wiping Clean: Use a wet washcloth, cotton balls or baby wipes and gently clean your baby. Always clean from front to back. Never wipe from back to front and this will spread bacteria forward from the anus and cause urinary tact infection especially so in girls. You will be able to clean better if you lift your baby’s legs. Remember to clean the creases of the buttocks and thighs. While cleaning boys you should cover the penis with a clean washcloth or diaper, as exposure to air causes them to urinate on anything that is within range, which may include you. After wiping them pat dry with clean washcloth and if required apply nappy rash cream.
Disposable Diapers: If you are using disposable diapers here are a few tips you can follow:
Slip the open diaper under the baby while lifting his legs. The adhesive strip at the back must be aligned with the baby’s navel.
Bring the front of the diaper between his legs up to his belly.
Bring adhesive strips in front and fasten.
Dispose bowel movements in the toilet before putting diaper into garbage. This not only ensures that the diaper doesn’t stink but prevents growth of bacteria.
If the diaper is tight, you will find marks around the baby’s legs and waist. Get a larger size the next time.
If your baby is sensitive to a particular brand of diaper he may develop rash, change the diaper brand.
While fastening a diaper for a baby boy, make sure that the penis is placed downwards; this will ensure that there are no leaks from the waistline.
Prevent diaper/nappy rash: Nappy rash is very common among babies, but if it lasts for over three days consult your doctor immediately. Tips to prevent and heal nappy rash:
Change nappy as quickly as possible every time the baby wet his nappy or soils it.
Use nappy rash cream to prevent rashes. Use a cream that contains zinc oxide, which acts as a barrier against moisture.
Do not use a diaper for your baby for a few hours each day.
While washing cloth nappies use detergents that are dye and fragrance free.
These tips should be able to give use a good start to learning to clean your baby and diaper him.