Written by Pauline ASSERAY, infirmière puéricultrice depuis 10 ans ! - Updated on Jul 25, 2024
Article written by Pauline ASSERAY, Paediatric Nurse for 10 years (neonatology, maternity, and pediatric intensive care) - Updated on June 24, 2023
@Pinterest /Freepik
A vast subject, which in my opinion, is not explained enough before birth. I receive many testimonies from parents who feel a bit lost see disoriented facing their new responsibilities.
It is therefore with pleasure that I share with you my advice for you help daily…
Before starting each care, remember to wash your hands and prepare everything needed for baby's care. This will allow you not to have to leave him.
Reminder : « never take your eyes or hands off the baby, accidents happen too quickly! »
Different facial care
@parent.fr
1. The eyes
For baby's eyes, use droppers of saline solution (once opened, do not keep the dropper for more than one day).
- Soak a sterile compress with saline solution then clean the eye from the outer corner to the inner corner. Indeed, secretions and dirt tend to accumulate in the inner corner of the eye, so the goal is to clean the eye from the cleanest to the dirtiest.
- Use a new compress to clean the other eye.
- If baby has eyes stuck together by secretions, let a compress soaked with saline solution sit on the eye for a few seconds to soften the secretions and allow gentle separation of the eyelids.
2. The ears
Baby's ears are fragile, so no cotton swabs, a small piece of cotton will be more than enough. Indeed, earwax has a protective function of the ear, so it is unnecessary to clean the baby's ear deeply. Cleaning the visible part will suffice.
- Make a small roll by rolling a piece of cotton between your fingers and soak it with saline solution.
- Clean the auricle and the back of the ear.
- Dry with a cotton swab or a soft towel.
3. The nose
It is important to clearly distinguish between a daily nose cleaning and a nose washing which is done when the baby has a stuffy nose.
Often babies do not like nose cleaning. Not easy for parents to stick to. But it is very important to perform daily.
- Make a small roll by rolling a piece of cotton between your fingers and soak it with saline solution.
- Insert it into the nostril making small circular movements. (use one cotton roll per nostril).
- You can also place 1 drop of saline solution at the entrance of each of the baby's nostrils; by breathing, the drop should go up into the nose.
This care can cause sneezes in baby. Nothing abnormall, when sneezing the nose also cleans itself!
4. The face
Baby at the skin fragile, prefer tap water or mineral water.
(Avoid using cleansing milks, micellar water, wipes, and other products recommended by brands).
- Using a washable square or a washcloth, clean the baby's forehead, cheeks, and chin.
- Be careful with small folds, remember to clean the neck and behind the baby’s ears, ldirt tends to accumulate there.
- Then, dry the face and folds using a soft and clean towel.
For moisturize their face, you can use a vegetable oil suitable for baby’s skin, such as apricot kernel oil or jojoba oil (beware of oils derived from nuts like sweet almond oil. It is reputed for babies but can to be allergenic).
Umbilical cord care
@mpedia
1. How to clean the umbilical cord?
To start, rest assured, the handling and care of the cord are painless for baby.
- Clean the cord with mild soap and water twice a day, or more if it is soiled (urine, stool, or other).
- Moisten a cotton swab with water and apply a very small amount of natural mild soap.
- Clean the cord but especially its base (junction between the cord and the baby’s future belly button).
- Go all around the cord with the cotton swab. Don’t hesitate to gently move the umbilical cord to clean everywhere properly.
- Rinse with another cotton swab to remove all soap residue.
- With the other end of the cotton swab or a compress, carefully dry the entire cord.
- In case of infection, of the cord, apply an antiseptic based on Chlorhexidine to disinfect the cord (using a compress or a cotton swab).
- Fold the diaper under the baby's cord to avoid any rubbing and also to prevent contact with the baby's urine and stool.
- Once the cord has fallen off, continue cleaning the navel for 5 days to allow complete healing.
You can bathe the baby, even if the cord has not yet fallen off. The important thing it is important to dry it well afterwards.
2. When will the umbilical cord fall off?
Once cut, the cord will dry and fall off naturally during the first month.
If it gets pulled off accidentally, a small blood discharge is possible. Press gently with a compress until the bleeding stops then consult a doctor.
3. When should I worry and consult?
If you notice any of the following signs, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
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The cord oozes, bleeds, or there is a discharge at its base
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Persistent redness or swelling at the base of the cord
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An unusual smell from the cord
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If the cord has not yet fallen off after 1 month of life
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If the cord is accidentally torn off
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If you notice poor healing of the navel after the cord falls off. (Small piece of flesh that oozes a little; umbilical bud).
Diaper changing
@Mpedia
The baby's skin is delicate and fragile. Their bottom is often wet because of contact with urine and stools.
It is important to change the baby regularly, before each meal and/or as soon as they have a stool.
Regarding products, the most simple and the most natural are often the best.
Liniment or warm water when there is only urine. In case of stools; warm water and soap. Again, avoid cleansing milks, micellar waters, and wipes that can irritate their skin.
Respect the baby's motor development : do not lift them by holding their feet (risk of causing certain complications: hip dislocation, tension, pain, and discomfort).
You will change the baby either by turning them on their side or by rolling their pelvis (more natural).
·- Unfasten the bodysuit and open the diaper
- Fold the diaper onto itself so the baby is no longer in contact with it (or remove it completely).
- Urine: use water or liniment.
- Stool: use water and soap then rinse with water.
- Clean the front always from top to bottom, from the cleanest to the dirtiest (to prevent infections and avoid bringing bacteria to the urinary tract).
1. Side change:
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Take the baby's left thigh with your right hand and tilt them onto their right side, your left hand will support their back and head. In this position, you can continue cleaning the buttocks and back.
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Place the new diaper
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Roll the baby back onto the back, then to the other side if needed, to adjust the diaper position.
2. Change by rolling the pelvis:
(Be careful not to lift the baby by the feet, but to roll the pelvis properly).
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Place your hand under the baby's knees and tilt the pelvis so that the knees come close to the chest. In this position, you can continue cleaning the buttocks and back.
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Remove the dirty diaper (if still present) and put on the new one. Then gently lay the baby back down.
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Remember to bring out the small ruffles around the thighs to prevent leaks.
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Always remember to dry the baby's skin well, not forgetting the small folds.
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Close the diaper. (To be sure it is tight enough but not too much, you should be able to fit two fingers between the baby's belly skin and the diaper).
How to prevent diaper rash?
Change the diaper regularly (Urine and stool in contact with the skin cause irritation and redness).
Thoroughly dry the small folds before closing the diaper toavoid maceration.
Check the diaper size. (Do not always rely on the indications on the package. A diaper that is too small can cause chafing).
Avoid using disposable wet wipes that irritate the skin.
What to do in case of diaper rash?
Change the baby's diaper as soon as it is soiled with urine or stools.
Use only water to clean the baby, with mild soap in case of stools.
Use a special cream recommended by your doctor.
Consult your doctor if redness persists for more than 4 days or if the baby has a fever, blisters, or bleeding.
Cutting baby's nails
@allobébé
Very often from birth, the baby tends to scratch. No need to put mittens on them! The sense of touch, very developed in the baby from birth, allows them to receive a lot of information about the surrounding world.
It is therefore important to do not hinder this sense. Just cut their nails.
Often source of anxiety for the parent, choose a quiet moment. (In the first months, you can do this when the baby is sleeping).
In the first month, the baby's nails are very soft (in fact, they often break on their own) and the skin adheres to the nail.
So we do not cut the baby's nails but they are filed ! (There are baby special glass nail files with finer grains suitable for soft nails).
After 1 to 2 months, you can start cutting the nails. At first, choose a baby special rounded-tip scissors.
Around 6 months, their nails are much more rigid, if you wish you can replace scissors with a nail clipper.
Avoid cutting nails after the baby's bath, as the water will have softened the nails which will increase the risk of cuts.
- Remember to disinfect the equipment (file, scissors, or nail clipper) before each use.
- Find the position in which you are most comfortable: baby in your arms, swaddled on the changing table, or in the arms of the other parent.
- Hold the baby's finger between your thumb and index finger and with your other hand, file/cut the nail.
- File/cut the nails without rounding the edges too much to prevent ingrown nails.
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Be careful not to cut too short, this could cause an inflammation.
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Do not touch the little skin around the nail.
The frequency will depend on your baby, but the fingernails grow much faster than the toenails. Cut them about once a week depending on their length.
What to do if you have cut the skin or nail too short?
If there is a cut, press slightly to stop the bleeding then disinfect the skin with an antiseptic suitable for the baby's age. Monitor the healing.
If you have cut the nail too short, watch the skin. If it becomes red and the fingertip swells, apply an antiseptic suitable for the baby's age and consult your doctor.
It is recommended to perform each care in a calm environment. Take advantage of this time together to talk to your baby, explain what you are going to do, it will reassure them and will help with communication.
Pauline ASSERAY
Pediatric nurse for 10 years!
Support with kindness and empathy are fundamental concepts for her.
You can find her on her Instagram account @parentimparfait
She created "parent imparfait" to share and support families in their daily lives.
