Baby care in the first days

Most complicated items in your home come with an instruction manual.  These items generally perform one complicated function and stay in one place.  You need a licence to drive a car, a licence to fish and to own a TV set, but bring a baby into your house and you are thrown in at the deep end.  Despite reading books, trawling the internet and getting advice from family and friends nothing prepares you for this complicated being that does not come with instructions or a returns policy.  Baby Sense helps with some quick tips on your babies basic care like topping and tailing, cord care, diaper changing, bathing and dressing your baby.

TOPPING AND TAILING

• Babies do not need to be bathed every day, but do top-and-tail your baby every day.  Clean her face, neck, hands and nappy area with warm water and damp cotton wool.
• When cleaning your baby’s eyes wipe from inner to outer.  Unfurl her hands to clean them, and wipe in all the creases around your baby’s neck, behind her ears, armpits and the top of her legs.
• Clean the diaper area carefully and pat gently dry.

CORD CARE

• Keep the cord stump clean and dry.  It often falls off from 5 days onwards.  Wash gently with damp cotton wool and water.
• If you notice a bad smell, bleeding or some stickiness consult your doctor or midwife.

BATHING

• Run the water in the bath cold first, topping up with hot until the water is a neutral temperature.  Test the water temperature with your elbow as your hands will not give you an accurate guide.
• Gather all you need in terms of towels, cotton wool, diapers, baby grow, cream or massage oil.
• Support your baby in the bath at all times.  Never leave your baby in the bath, not even for 1 second.
• You don’t need soaps/bubble bath or shampoos for newborns.  Just rinse your baby by swishing the water around.
• Pat your baby dry with a soft towel, making sure you get into all the creases.

DIAPER CHANGING

• At first you may feel you just don’t have enough hands to do everything, but with at least 6 wet nappies a day you should soon get the hang of it all.
• Use a change mat to lay your baby on and undo the nappy.  Use damp cotton wool to clean the area.
• Boys tend to wee when they feel the air so be ready with a tissue or lay your baby on a terry towel which will soak this up.
• Put a new diaper on.  It is a good idea to make sure a boy’s willy is pointing down as this will help stop the nappy form leaking.

So there you have it.  A few pointers to help you through those early baby care tasks.  Enjoy your newborn.  They are so little for so short.  Caring for your baby and doing these daily routines is a perfect way to bond with your baby. 

With thanks:
NCT Bumps and Babies Magazine.  Vol 2 No.14