2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
What to do and what not to do with a tiny baby? Here is a reminder of 9 things to avoid with a newborn.
The navel
To ensure that the umbilical cord dries well and falls off, it is important not to cover the navel with the diaper so as not to compress it. Also, keep the navel dry to prevent infections, so dry it well after bathing.
The foreskin
When you clean the genitals of baby boys you shouldn't push too hard on the skin to free his foreskin. In some babies, it will even be impossible to lower it, but you should never force, even for reasons of hygiene. The dilation will happen by itself around the age of 3 years.
The fontanel
When you wash your baby's head and hair, be careful not to rub vigorously the fontanel, that soft spot at the top of the baby skull, so as not to damage the cranial bone welding in the long term. Gently scrub with a mild shampoo, rinse, then pat her head lightly with a soft towel to dry her hair.
Scented wipes
Becauseresidual moisture, wet wipes can cause irritation on babies' bottoms. To avoid this, choose unscented wipes for your outings and dry your baby's bottom well with a small towel, patting gently. At home, favor the use of water and a mild soap for babies to clean their genitals.
Talcum powder
Talcum powder, more commonly known as baby powder, was once very popular for drying baby's bottoms and making them smell good after diaper changes. Today, the use of talcum powder is discouraged since it has been discovered that talcum powder can cause respiratory problems.
Scented products
The use of scented products such as soaps, shampoos, milks and bubble baths designed for adults contain too many chemicals, detergents and additives for the fragile little skin of newborns. To avoid irritating their skin, use a gentle product specially made for toddlers.
The Sleep
Never lay your baby face down. Why? Because since he doesn't yet have the strength to roll over himself, he might have difficulty breathing and even choke. It is therefore advisable to have baby sleep on their back to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Hunger
It may happen that a newborn does not seem satisfied with his feedings. Many parents then decide to supplement the diet with cereals by adding them to the milk so that the baby drinks less often. This approach should be avoided since a baby who seems to be always hungry may have problems other than his appetite, and it is important to find the reason for his dissatisfaction. Your family doctor or a lactation consultant can help you identify the cause of the problem and find solutions.
The temperature
Baby needs warmth, but don't confuse comfort with extreme heating! The house temperature should be normal and baby should be dressed warmly, but not too warmly. She is wrapped in a light blanket whenever necessary. In summer, if baby is too hot, he will develop heat rashes and he could suffer from heat stroke. To sleep, the baby's room must be at 20 ºC. Putting baby to sleep in a sleeping bag becomes an ideal solution to keep them comfortable all night long.
