Bathing

After your baby’s umbilical cord falls off (at about two weeks of age) you may begin tub bathing. Use of soap should be limited to two or three times a week. Soapless baths may be given if desired. Avoid use of perfumed or deodorant soaps as these may be irritating. Remember never to leave your baby unattended even for a minute in the bath.

Skin Care

Diaper rashes are the most common rashes that concern parents. Irritation of the skin by urine or stool is the most frequent cause of diaper rash.

• Frequent diaper changes and washing the area with plain water will prevent the majority of diaper rashes.
• Once a rash has started, continue to change the diapers frequently and wash the area.
• Try removing plastic covers on cloth diapers and taping disposable diapers loosely to allow air flow over the irritated skin.
• Leaving the diaper off for short periods of time helps.
• Use of a hair dryer on the COOL setting as well as keeping a hand in the air stream to monitor temperature may help.
• Application of creams is beneficial as a barrier when the diaper will be on for a period of time.

Yeast Rash

If a diaper rash lasts for a week or more despite these measures, a yeast rash may be present. Yeast infection is characterized by a deep, red rash with an irregular speckled border. Lotrimin AF can be purchased without a prescription and should be used three times a day.

Heat Rash

Heat rash or prickly heat is caused by blockage of the baby’s sweat glands. The face, neck, trunk, and diaper area are the usual involved areas. The rash appears as groupings of small red pimples. It is most common in the summer or when the baby is overdressed. Treatment is usually accomplished by not overdressing the baby and keeping the child in a cool environment.

Cradle cap

Cradle cap is an accumulation of white to yellow scaly material on the scalp. The treatment consists of shampooing with a mild soap two to three times a week. In stubborn cases, shampooing with Sebulex will get rid of the condition. Firm scrubbing with the fingertips followed by a thorough drying is also helpful.

 

Cord Care

The umbilical cord stump will fall off within one to two weeks after leaving the hospital.
• A drying agent such as rubbing alcohol no longer needs to be used to clean the cord.
• Don’t be afraid to lift the cord and clean with water down into the creases; this will speed the removal.
• Cotton tipped applicators work best.
• Small amounts of blood or leakage of clear, watery material may accompany the detachment of the cord. Don’t worry, continue swabbing until the area is healed.
• Sponge bathing is recommended till the cord comes off.

Penis Care

If your son was circumcised, apply Vaseline to the tip of the penis at each diaper change until the bright redness disappears. It is normal to see some blood staining in the first few days after the circumcision; the circumcision itself usually heals well within one week. Wash the penis with a cloth soaked in warm water. Avoid the use of commercial wipes as they may contain alcohol which would irritate the newly circumcised penis.

Care of the uncircumcised male is quite simple. Gently pull back the foreskin without forcing it, and wash with soap and water. It is not uncommon for a boy to be several years old before the foreskin can be pulled back to expose the entire tip of the penis.

Care of the Vagina

In newborn girls there may be a milky white or blood tinged discharge. This is normal and is due to the mother’s hormones. Gentle cleansing with a wet cotton ball or soft washcloth should be adequate. Always wipe the baby’s bottom from front to back to avoid contaminating the vagina with stool.

Newborn Eyes

It is not until the end of the first month of life that tears begin to be produced in an infant. The tears normally drain through the tiny lacrimal ducts which are located at the inner corners of each eye. The ducts are tiny in infants and are blocked in 1 in 100 babies.

Blocked tear ducts may give your baby a teary-eyed look even when your baby is happy. This is due to the duct not draining normally and the tears pooling in the eyes.
• Babies’ with blocked tear ducts may also have thin, watery discharge as well as mattering or crusting.
• Gentle massage of the inner corner of the eye may help unblock the ducts.
• Occasionally a prescription antibiotic ointment may be needed when thick, green or yellow discharge is present.
• Most blocked ducts clear on their own, and are not problems by the age of one year.
• In some cases which don’t improve, surgical probing by an ophthalmologist is needed.