Diaper rash is a common concern. Typically the rash is red and bumpy and will go away in a few days with warm baths, some diaper cream, and a little time out of the diaper.
Most rashes happen because the baby's skin is sensitive and becomes irritated by the wet or poopy diaper. If the diaper rash continues for more than 3 days or seems to be getting worse, call your doctor — it may be caused by a fungal infection that requires a prescription. A bath two or three times a week in the first year is fine.
More frequent bathing may be drying to the skin. Sponge baths. For a sponge bath, select a safe, flat surface such as a changing table, floor, or counter in a warm room.
Fill a sink, if nearby, or bowl with warm not hot! Undress your baby and wrap him or her in a towel. Wipe your infant's eyes with a washcloth or a clean cotton ball dampened with water only, starting with one eye and wiping from the inner corner to the outer corner.
Use a clean corner of the washcloth or another cotton ball to wash the other eye. Clean your baby's nose and ears with the damp washcloth. Then wet the cloth again and, using a little soap, wash his or her face gently and pat it dry. Next, using baby shampoo, create a lather and gently wash your baby's head and rinse. Using a wet cloth and soap, gently wash the rest of the baby, paying special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and in the genital area.
Once you have washed those areas, make sure they are dry and then diaper and dress your baby. Tub baths. When your baby is ready for tub baths, the first baths should be gentle and brief.
If he or she becomes upset, go back to sponge baths for a week or two, then try the bath again. Undress your baby and then place him or her in the water immediately, in a warm room, to prevent chills. Make sure the water in the tub is no more than 2 to 3 inches deep, and that the water is no longer running in the tub. Use one of your hands to support the head and the other hand to guide the baby in feet-first. Speaking gently, slowly lower your baby up to the chest into the tub.
Use a washcloth to wash his or her face and hair. Gently massage your baby's scalp with the pads of your fingers or a soft baby hairbrush, including the area over the fontanelles soft spots on the top of the head.
When you rinse the soap or shampoo from your baby's head, cup your hand across the forehead so the suds run toward the sides and soap doesn't get into the eyes.
Gently wash the rest of your baby's body with water and a small amount of soap. Throughout the bath, regularly pour water gently over your baby's body so he or she doesn't get cold.
After the bath, wrap your baby in a towel immediately, making sure to cover his or her head. Baby towels with hoods are great for keeping a freshly washed baby warm. While bathing your infant, never leave the baby alone. If you need to leave the bathroom, wrap the baby in a towel and take him or her with you. Immediately after circumcision , the tip of the penis is usually covered with gauze coated with petroleum jelly to keep the wound from sticking to the diaper.
Gently wipe the tip clean with warm water after a diaper change, then apply petroleum jelly to the tip so it doesn't stick to the diaper. Redness or irritation of the penis should heal within a few days, but if the redness or swelling increases or if pus-filled blisters form, infection may be present and you should call your baby's doctor immediately. Umbilical cord care in newborns is also important. Some doctors suggest swabbing the area with rubbing alcohol until the cord stump dries up and falls off, usually in 10 days to 3 weeks, but others recommend leaving the area alone.
Talk to your child's doctor to see what he or she prefers. An infant's navel area shouldn't be submerged in water until the cord stump falls off and the area is healed. Until it falls off, the cord stump will change color from yellow to brown or black — this is normal. By Paula Kashtan.
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By Jessica Hartshorn Updated March 17, Save Pin FB More. Matching quilt or a crib skirt they're only decorative. Gates at the top and bottom of all stairs Cabinet latches Drawer latches Outlet covers Fireplace bumper Furniture anchors. Nursing pillow nursing bras boxes of nursing pads 6 or more cotton bibs 6 or more burp cloths cloth diapers do the job. Breast pump choose an electric pump if you'll use it every day at work; a hand pump is fine otherwise Breast milk storage bags or containers Several bottles and nipples, if someone else will be feeding your baby pumped breast milk Nipple cream for the first few weeks.
High chair Plastic bibs Infant feeding spoons Infant bowl. Mess mat for under the high chair Baby food mill, if you're ambitious enough to puree your own baby food. Credit: Courtesy of Chicco. Bath toys Mesh bag to hold bath toys Bath thermometer Faucet guard. Car seat that fits a newborn Stroller that accommodates a newborn Diaper bag filled with diapers, wipes, and a spare outfit Front carrier like Baby Bjorn.
Sling for the newborn stage Baby backpack for after 6 months Stroller that your car seat fits onto Rain cover for the stroller Infant headrest for the car seat if it doesn't come with one Warm blanket or "boot" to wrap your baby in during winter strolls Sunshades for the car windows Big diaper bag for overnight trips.
Bouncer seat or infant seat Stationary activity center once baby is 4 months old Heavy blankets and quilts to lay on the floor. Swing Moses basket though only usable until baby reaches 3 months Portable play yard. Several pacifiers try different brands to see which one your baby prefers Thermometer Petroleum jelly Infant Tylenol Nasal aspirator Electrolyte drink, such as Pedialyte, to treat dehydration. By Jessica Hartshorn.
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