Save Share Print

Home News Baby Care: Beginners Guide

Baby Care: Beginners Guide

Published: Tuesday, November 13, 2007

You have studied the books and taken the baby care class at the hospital, but now that you are home, you worry that you will not know what to do. It is fairly common to feel nervous or anxious about bringing home your new baby. The first few weeks will be a time of learning for both of you. You may feel like a novice at first, but soon you will be an expert at caring for the new member of the family.

Some tips to remember.

• Keep the room temperature about 70 to 75º F.
• Keep your baby warm and dry.
• Keep your baby away from windows and air vents.
• Keep your baby bundled in a soft blanket with a newborn cap.
• Position your baby on his back with the head turned slightly to the side; NEVER on the stomach.
• Never prop a bottle to feed your baby. This causes choking and ear infections.
• Hold your baby securely during feedings.
• Keep a sleeping baby in the crib. It is the safest place.
• Always keep a bulb syringe within easy reach.

Comforting Your Baby Infants cry for different reasons. It is your baby’s way of communicating and is normal. It may indicate that your baby is hungry, tired, over excited, frustrated, wet, too warm or cold, lonely or sick. As you get to know him, you will be able to tell the difference between the type of cries and their meaning. If the intensity of the cry seems abnormal to you, especially if it continues, talk to your doctor.
Comforting measures such as swaddling, rocking, music, massage, gentle motion or talking softly may help your baby relax and calm down. Use of a pacifier or a clean finger placed gently in the mouth brings comfort to most babies. Sucking on their finger or thumb is normal and does not always mean that they are hungry. Wrapping your baby in blankets is security to most babies.
Remember, as hard as birth was on you, your baby has just entered a whole new world and is trying to adjust to many things all at once. Patience, love and time are required from everyone to make this transition as easy as possible. You will be surprised at how much you learn from this little person if you give it time and be patient.

Physical Care

Cord Care
The umbilical cord usually dries up and falls off in seven to 10 days. No one method of cord care has been proven better than another to decrease infection. At home, most doctors recommend that you use the alcohol pads given to you or cotton balls and isopropyl alcohol to clean the umbilical cord. Be sure to fold the diaper under the cord to allow proper drying. Continue this for one week after the cord falls off. Avoid a tub bath until the baby’s navel is well healed. This usually takes 10 to14 days.

Eyes, Ears, Nose and Mouth
The eyes of newborns may be red, puffy and swollen. A damp cloth or cotton ball may be used to clean across lids from bridge of nose outward to remove any drainage. Eye drainage that persists longer than three to four days should be checked by your pediatrician. Ears should be cleaned with the corner of a soft washcloth and not cleaned with Q-tips. Dried mucous may be recovered using the corner of a moist wash cloth or bulb syringe. Your baby’s lips may appear wrinkled and may develop a blister or callous on the top that comes from sucking. Call your doctor if you see a thick, white layer on the baby’s tongue and inside the cheeks. This could be thrush and will need to be treated. Sneezing is normal and is baby’s way of cleaning the nose.

Nail Care
Fingernails can be safely filed instead of cutting. Wait until your baby is at least two weeks old before taking care of nails. The skin under the nail is connected and takes this long to loosen. Filing nails too early may cause injury to the delicate fingers. Try filing the nails when the baby is sleeping or relaxed. It makes the job easier.

Bathing
Once you are home, a daily sponge bath is sufficient for about the first two to four weeks and is not even necessary everyday. Here are some tips to make it easier.

• Do not tub bathe until the cord and circumcision heal.
• Make sure the room is warm and free of drafts.
• Gather all supplies within arm’s reach.
• Test the water temperature on the inside of your wrist; it should be warm but not hot.
• Wash from clean to dirty.
• Start with the face and end with the diaper area.
• Wash face with water only.
• Use washcloth to moisten scalp, shampoo with a mild, tearless product and rinse thoroughly.
• Pat dry with towel and cover head with hat to keep warm.
• Proceed with bath and remember diaper area last.

 

For Girls: Wash, rinse and dry the diaper area from front to back. If the washcloth becomes soiled with stool, obtain a clean cloth to help prevent infection of bladder and kidneys. You may notice a milky or bloody vaginal discharge. This is normal from hormone changes and does not require treatment.

Circumcised Boys: Cleanse the penis by rinsing with warm water until healed. If the circumcision was done less than 48 hours ago, apply petroleum jelly to the penis or diaper to prevent penis from “sticking” to the diaper.

Uncircumcised Boys: Squeeze warm soapy water over the penis. Gently move the foreskin to cleanse in any creases. Do not use force to pull back the foreskin. Be sure the foreskin is returned to its natural position after washing, rinsing and drying. Your baby may be three to four years old before the foreskin is fully retractable.
Research is showing that there are advantages to tub bathing infants earlier than has been recommended. Talk to your pediatrician about specific instructions for bathing your baby.

Skin Care
Your baby’s skin has natural oils to protect it, so there is no need to use lotion, oils or powder on your baby. If you choose to use a lotion, select a hypoallergenic or nonperfumed lotion to decrease potential for skin rash. Oils can block the pores of the infant’s skin and lead to skin problems. Powders should be avoided as they can irritate the baby’s delicate airway. Be sure to change the diaper when it is wet and keep the diaper area as clean as possible. Consult your pediatrician for advice on creams and ointments to treat diaper rash.


For more information on baby care, visit Joy. An Online Guide: Pregnancy and Childbirth Resources.