Introduction:

The world of parenthood is filled with magical moments, snuggles, and yes lots of diapers. As a new parent, or someone who is looking to refresh their baby hygiene knowledge, you have come to the right place. One of the most important aspects of caring for your little one is maintaining their hygiene. Baby hygiene does not end with keeping your baby clean. It also includes taking care of their mental and physical health to ensure that they grow up to be healthy and happy. 

You might think that baby hygiene is not very complicated but we are here to tell you otherwise. Babies have sensitive skin, developing immunity systems, and an innate curiosity that often leads to them exploring the world with their mouths. As one can expect, this is not the healthiest way of growing up and often puts your baby in the way of harm. This is why a baby’s hygiene does not end with keeping them sparkling clean on the outside. 

This blog will take a look at the many aspects that are involved in taking care of your baby’s hygiene. This includes skincare routines, creating a clean environment, oral care, and health and safety practices to make sure that your baby has the best possible space to grow safely. Without any further ado, let’s dive in!

Understanding the Basics of Baby Hygiene

There are three tenets when it comes to the basics of baby hygiene - skin care, oral hygiene, and nail care. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Skin Care

Bathing

Giving a bath to a baby can be a nerve-wracking affair, especially since they are so small. So, the most important thing here is to keep calm and to be prepared for the task. Here are some tips on how to make that happen. 

  • A newborn baby only needs to be bathed one to two times a week. Anything more than that can make your baby’s skin dry out, which is not good. 
  • Don’t place your baby in water while their umbilical cord is still attached to them. Until the umbilical cord falls off, you should give your baby a sponge bath using a soft washcloth and gentle soap. 
  • It is recommended that the temperature of the water be around 35℃. We recommend testing the water with your elbow or wrist. It should be warm to the touch. 
  • Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a few seconds. Keep your full attention on them until they are done. 

Diapering:

When it comes to a baby’s diapers, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Absorbency, leak protection, and comfort are the most important factors here. This can be found in Little & Brave’s products, as our nappies have excellent absorbency, and our snap wraps will make sure that they keep any leaks in while keeping your baby comfortable.
If you want to learn more about how to choose the right diaper, you can take a look at this guide! 

Have a changing routine in place for your baby. This will keep things on track while also preventing any occurrence of nappy rash. 

Moisturizing:

This is quite important as baby skin is very delicate. Make sure to use gentle, hypoallergenic lotions and creams that do not contain any harsh chemicals or fragrances. Apply it after bathing or whenever their skin seems dry. Use lotions that have ingredients like shea butter or natural oils as it will keep their skin soft and supple.

Oral Hygiene

Teething

Teething is an uncomfortable process for babies, as it can be quite painful. Help your baby by giving it teething toys, a chilled, but not frozen, teething ring, or a gentle massage on the gums with a clean finger. A chilled washcloth can also be used on sore gums. 

Cleaning Gums

It is very important to keep your baby’s gums clean, even before their teeth come out. Use a soft, damp cloth and wrap it around your finger. Using that, wipe away any milk residue. Once the teeth start appearing, switch over to a baby-sized toothbrush with soft bristles. Use a small amount of fluoride paste and brush their teeth very gently. 

Nail Care

Baby nails grow very quickly and can often be very sharp. Use baby-sized clippers to keep them under control. When it comes time to cut them, do it when your baby is relaxed or asleep and cut their nails straight across. This will make sure that there are no ingrown nails or scratches.

Environmental Hygiene for Babies

Creating a Clean Space

The next item on the agenda is making sure that your baby is in a clean and safe environment. When it comes to clean spaces, the priority is the nursery as this is where your baby will spend all their time. 

Regularly dust and wipe surfaces with baby-friendly cleaners. Organise the area with baskets, shelves, and labelled containers as this will make things more neat and easily accessible. Keep soft toys and bedding clean and within easy reach for any quick changes. 

It is also important to make sure that their toys are clean. Babies often bite and touch everything they can get their hands on so make sure to keep everything clean enough for that.

Laundry

When it comes to laundry the first thing to keep in mind is the type of laundry detergent you are going to use. Opt for detergents that are labelled as ‘baby’ or ‘hypoallergenic’ as they will be gentle on your baby’s skin. You should avoid products containing dyes and fragrances that might cause irritation. Remember to always do a patch test before washing a full load. 

Next, always wash your baby’s clothes and bedding separately from regular clothes. Wash any new clothes you buy or receive before putting them on your baby. You could also consider using fabric softener as that would make sure your baby doesn’t have any reaction. 

Feeding Hygiene

Sterilization of Bottles and Equipment 

One of the easiest ways for your baby to fall sick is from unclean bottles and equipment. This is because they are in constant contact with them and if they are not cleaned properly, they could cause the baby to fall sick. 

There are numerous ways in which you can sterilize the bottles and equipment and a fixed frequency to how often you should wash them. 

  • Methods: you can sterilize using boiling water, sterilizing solutions or tablets, microwave sterilizers, or electric steam sterilizers. Make sure to read the notes given from the manufacturer to ensure optimal sterilization. 
  • Frequency: in the first months, it is recommended to sterilize bottles, nipples, and breast pump parts before their first use as your baby’s immune system is still developing. After that, we recommend sterilizing daily. However, as your baby grows, they will be exposed to more and more germs, so regular cleaning will be good enough. It is still essential to maintain high cleanliness standards. 

Solid Foods and Hygiene

When you finally start introducing your baby to solid foods, we recommend maintaining good hygiene practices. Start with single ingredients that are easily digestible. Avoid salt and added sugar wherever you can. Ensure that anything you give to the baby is thoroughly washed and cooked thoroughly. Give your baby new foods slowly so that you will be able to monitor them in case they are allergic to something. 

Another thing to keep an eye out for is cleaning your feeding utensils. Wash them carefully with hot, soapy water after each use. Avoid sponges as they can hold onto bacteria. Instead use bottle brushes and mild detergent to make sure the utensils are clean.

Health and Safety Practices

Vaccinations and Hygiene

Vaccinations are like a shield for your baby as they protect them from various diseases. While maintaining good hygiene is very important, vaccinations are crucial for building your baby’s immune system. They work in tandem to create a strong defense against harmful infections. How they function is that they train your baby’s immune system to recognize and fight specific diseases. 

Consult a medical professional to get a recommended immunization schedule. It will outline when your baby should receive specific vaccines, thus ensuring that they are protected at important milestones of their development. 

Common Illnesses and Hygiene Measures 

All common illnesses can be prevented by some simple yet effective practices. This includes washing your baby’s hands, proper ventilation in your home, covering sneezes and coughs, and prompt disposal of any used tissues. 

However, these measures are not an all-safe from any diseases, so you should also be on the lookout for any signs that your baby has indeed contracted some illness. Trust your instincts and seek medical help if you feel your baby needs it. 

Additional Tips for Maintaining Baby Hygiene

  • Regularly schedule a check-up with your paediatrician to make sure that your baby is healthy and is hitting all the right milestones.
  • Make sure to feed your baby a healthy and balanced diet consisting of nutritious foods. 
  • Sleep is very important in the development of your baby, so make sure that they are properly sleep-trained. In case you want any tips, you can take a look at our blog on sleep training your child.