Comfort
Room temperature: Try to keep an even, comfortable temperature in your baby’s room. Windows may be opened in warm weather, provided there is no draft on the baby. The ideal temperature is between 68-74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Clothing: Dress the baby with just enough clothes to keep him or he comfortable. Some babies are allergic to certain materials, so watch for rashes in areas that come in contact with clothing. When it is warm, the infant does not require any more clothing than an adult. A T-shirt and diaper are usually sufficient. Do not use excessive clothes or coverings. Your baby should be loosely wrapped in order to allow moderate freedom of movement. The body should be dry, not clammy with perspiration. Baby’s hands and feet are normally cool. A warm blanket usually makes your baby feel more secure even though it is not needed for dressing an infant for cold weather. Remember to dress the child with only one more than an adult would wear. Always wash new clothes in mild detergent before putting them on baby.
Bathing
It is a good idea to have a fairly regular time for bathing your baby. The room should be warm and free of drafts. Keep bathing supplies together to save yourself steps. Wash your baby by sponging or by laying him or her in a tub of water below the level of the umbilical cord. The water level should be
below the umbilical cord until it has healed. Wait a couple of days after circumcision before placing an infant in water. When bathing your baby in a small tub, check the temperature of the water with your elbow before placing your baby into the tub. The water temperature should be around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Three inches of water should be sufficient.
Wash your baby ‘s face with plain warm water and a soft cloth. Wipe the bridge of the nose toward the ears. Do not clean the inside of either the nose or the ears. Clean the outer areas with a moist cotton ball.
Wash your baby’s head with a mild shampoo. Work from front to back, to keep suds our of your baby’s eyes. White dandruff-like flakes are often found on the scalps of infants. These flakes are the result of shedding of dead skin, and they do not indicate a dry scalp condition. Do not use oils, lotions, or Vaseline. Placing oil on the scalp will make these flakes adhere to the scalp and make the condition worse.Formation of thick yellowish scales on the baby’s scalp is a condition called “cradle cap” and is very common in infants, and results from accumulation of old, dead skin. This condition can occur in spite of washing. Oils, lotions, or Vaseline make the condition worse. You can treat cradle cap by removing the scales with a soft brush. Using a small comb or brush to stimulate the scalp while shampooing helps to prevent cradle cap from forming.
Wash your baby’s face with plain warm water and a soft cloth. To clean around the eyes, use cotton dipped in cool water. Wipe the bridge of the nose toward the ears. Do not clean the inside of either the nose or the ears. Clean the outer areas with a moist warm cotton ball.
Use a mild soap and warm water to wash your baby’s body. Be sure to wash in the folds of the skin. Rinse well. Pat your baby dry. Do not use powder as this can get into the baby’s lungs and cause trouble breathing. If the skin is very dry, you may use a little cream after the bath.
Diapers
The diaper area should be clean as often as the baby is wet or soiled. Clean the baby with either plain warm water or a diaper wipe. Dry the skin of the diaper area thoroughly before applying a new diaper. Whether you use disposable diapers or cloth diapers is a matter of personal preference.
Sleeping
Babies should sleep on their backs until they are able to roll over, usually by 6 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics has determined that this reduces the risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Outdoors
You can take your baby outside whenever the weather is pleasant. Babies born during warm weather may be taken outside after they are 1-2 weeks old. If you use a carriage or stroller, be sure the wind blows over the top and not into it, directly on your baby. You should avoid taking your baby to crowded places, where the chance of exposure to illness is greater during the first six weeks of life.
Visitors
Visitors should be limited to very close friends and relatives who are not ill. Be sure that you limit visitors if they make you tired. They should wash their hands before handling the baby. Your other children should be encouraged to handle the baby and help you with baby care. Your children should wash their hands as well.
Smoking
Smoking is strongly discouraged. It is very irritating to your baby’s nose and lungs. It gets into the clothing, furniture and hair. It is very harmful even when not done in the presence of your baby. Now is a good time to quit!
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