Bathing your baby:
- Do not give your baby a tub bath until the umbilical cord is off and the belly button has normal looking skin. Use a sponge bath only.
- Avoid bathing right before or after feedings.
- Start the bath by cleansing each eye with a separate corner of the cloth or separate cotton balls. Stroke from inner corner of the eye to the outer portion using clear water only. Do not use soap on the face.
- It is not necessary to clean the ears or nose with Q-tips. Just wash the outside folds of the ear and nose. If mucus collects in the nose that you can see, you can remove it by twisting a wet cotton ball and wiping it away.
- To wash the head, support the baby’s neck and head with your hand. Wet the hair, and wash using a small amount of baby shampoo.
- For girls: clean between the folds of the labia using a cotton bill soaked in water. Stroke downward. Some babies have a bloody discharge from the vagina. This is due to the sudden change of hormones following birth. There may be a white discharge as well. Both are normal.
Umbilical cord care:
In a few days after birth, the umbilical cord stump will become dry, firm and dark brown in color. There may be a dark reddish brown drainage around the cord stump. The cord has no feelings so it does not hurt the baby when you clean it. Keep the cord dry by:
- Keeping the edge of the diaper folded below the cord
- In warm conditions, exposing the cord to the air
- Sponge bath until the cord is off and the belly button skin looks normal
Circumcision care:
If your baby was circumcised:
- There may be a strip of Vaseline gauze wrapped around the penis. If so, remove this after 24 hours or sooner if soiled with stool.
- You may apply Vaseline to his penis with each diaper change until the area is well healed. Healing usually takes 2-3 days.
General care tips:
- Babies should be placed to sleep on their backs unless your doctor has suggested otherwise. This is the single most important thing you can do to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Do not use a pillow when putting your baby to sleep.
- Fingers and toenails should be cut while the baby is sleeping, if possible, and only after you can see a distinct separation between the nail and the skin under it.
- It is not necessary to take the baby’s temperature daily. Take it only when you think the skin seems warmer then usual or if the baby seems sick. (Take it before calling the physician.) Lubricate the thermometer with petroleum jelly and insert the bulb end approximately half an inch into the rectum. Stay with the baby and hold the thermometer in place for 2-3 minutes by squeezing the cheeks together.
- The disposable bulb syringe used on your baby will be sent home with you. Use it to remove mucus from the nose if he gets congested. Squeeze the bulb end together, insert the tip very gently into one nostril, and let the bulb expand. It will suck mucus out of the nose.
Common questions:
What are the white spots on my baby’s face?
Both milia and neonatal acne are common in newborn babies. Both conditions are normal for a newborn baby and both usually resolve on their own without treatment in six to eight weeks.
What should I do for a diaper rash?
If there is a diaper rash present for more then three days, you can treat it with an over-the-counter cream or powder for a fungal infection. If there is no improvement within two or three days, call your physician or make an appointment for your baby to be seen.
What is fever?
Fever in a newborn or infant less then two months of age can be serious. Call your doctor if:
- Your baby is three month old or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4F (38°C) or higher.
- Your baby is older then three months with a rectal temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher.
- You think your child has a fever and you are not able to measure it
What are the white spots in my baby’s mouth?
It is common to see thrush in newborn babies. This condition is causing the white spots and is not serious.
Diaper rash:
Diaper rashes are a common condition in infants. Do not be alarmed if your child has a mild rash. You can initially treat it with over-the-counter products for rashes that are present for three days. If there is no improvement after three days of treatment, discuss it with your doctor.
Causes include:
- Too much moisture
- Urine and stool are left touching the skin for a long time
- Infection
- Allergy to the diaper
- Diarrhea
- When babies begin eating solid food
- Antibiotic use or nursing mother taking antibiotics.