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Change your baby in a warm, draft-free place. Keep all diapering supplies together, and never leave your baby on a changing table or other elevated surface even for a moment. Falls from changing tables are common, potentially serious, accidents. Remove most of the bowel movement with the soiled diaper, then wipe the diaper area clean with a commercial baby wipe or (for sensitive skin) a cotton ball dipped in warm water. Wipe girls from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria that might lead to a vaginal or urinary tract infection. Dry skin thoroughly (blot, don't rub), paying special attention to skinfolds and creases. When the baby's skin is dry, you may wish to apply baby lotion (not oil). Powder is not recommended, since inhaling it can be harmful. If you do use powder, apply a small amount carefully to avoid making "clouds." Don't use lotion and powder. Until the penis of a circumcised baby is healed, apply a little Vaseline with each diaper change. If you use cloth diape...
Stores and catalogs overflow with every manner of designer clothing, furniture, and other equipment for infants. Most of it is designed to please parents, not babies. If you can afford every luxury or gimmick, that's fine but it's nice to know that babies can get by just as well with the simplest basics! Here are some essentials: Sleeping Quarters When your baby is still a newborn, he can sleep in a bassinet, crib cot, or carriage before graduating to a crib. Most parents choose one of these options so that the baby can sleep near them for the first several weeks of life. There's no real reason, however, not to put the baby into the crib right from the start if you and he are both comfortable with it. In a few months, when your baby is stronger and more mobile, a crib will be an absolute necessity. Be sure to choose a sturdy crib with side slats no more than 23/s inches apart so the baby's head cannot possibly get stuck. Corner posts should be flat to avoid hooking clothing. You ...
Hair Care Some babies have only a faint layer of down on their heads, while others have a full head of hair. In either case, few young infants really need shampooing, It's usually fine to sponge the scalp with a wet washcloth. Many babies develop cradle cap, a kind of greasy dandruff that may be accompanied by red bumps on the scalp and face. Cradle cap is harmless, and it should go away by itself, but you can speed the process by washing the scalp with mild soap and water and a soft-bristled scrub brush. (Some pediatricians also recommend using a mild dandruff shampoo such as Head and Shoulders.) It's perfectly safe to rub the baby's scalp briskly as long as you don't exert too much pressure. If you shampoo the baby's hair, use a nonirritating baby shampoo, and take care that no suds get in the eyes. Nail care A newborn's thin, tiny fingernails are sharp enough to cause some nasty scratches. Keep your baby's nails short by trimming them with blunt-tipped nail scissors (prefera...
In the nursery, you will be advised about when your baby can have his first bath. Your baby doesn't need a daily bath, although there's nothing wrong with one if you both enjoy it. Most older babies love bath time, but newborns may find water and nakedness upsetting. If your infant howls throughout each bath, don't force the issue. Instead, keep the diaper area clean with commercial wipes or a washcloth, and sponge the face and head once a day. Whenever you clean your baby, make sure everything you need is handy. The room should be warm and free of drafts. To freshen up a baby without the hassle of a bath, sit him on your lap (which you may want to cover with a waterproof cloth) or changing table. Dip a cotton ball in warm water or baby lotion and wipe the face and creases around the neck, then use a fresh cotton ball to cleanse the diaper area. If your baby seems to need it, use a gentle cleansing bar or baby wash. (Newborns are unlikely to require soap, which can dry the skin.) R...
Some babies don't mind cold formula straight from the refrigerator, but most prefer it at room temperature. Warm a refrigerated bottle by running hot water over it, then testing a few drops on your wrist. If it feels more than slightly warm to the touch, cool it back down a little. Unopened, prefilled bottles can be given at room temperature without warming. Feeding should be the same warm, close experience for a bottle-fed baby as for a breast-fed one. Hold the baby close during feeding, and never prop up the bottle so you can go do something else. (This practice not only denies the baby your presence, but it also presents a choking hazard.) Like a breast-fed infant, a bottle-fed baby must learn to coordinate sucking, breathing, and swallowing. If he seems to gag, the nipple hole may be too large and the flow of milk too fast. Don't hold the bottle flat; it needs to be angled so that formula will fill the nipple and keep the baby from sucking in air. As early as possible which ma...