General newborn care

The moment of returning home with the new member of the family is something very special but, especially for new parents, it can be a difficult time.

The newborn requires very specific care and the first few days require constant attention. The newborn will gradually gain weight and get to know each other. This will make everything easier after the first month.

Curing the umbilical cord

It is necessary to keep the cord dry and clean, so it should be cleaned at least once a day or whenever it is dirty (it may coincide with bath time) with soap and water, rinse and dry well to prevent infection.

Do not cover the cord and leave it outside the diaper.

Cord hygiene should be maintained until complete closure of the skin, 2 or 3 days after the cord falls off (5-15 days).

Watch for signs of infection: bad odor, reddening of the skin, inflammation of the area or purulent discharge. In this case, consult your pediatrician.

Bathing the newborn

Bathing your baby is a great opportunity to bond with your child.

It is important to find the right time to stimulate your baby’s well-being and relaxation.

It does not have to be daily, although it is recommended.

Bathing can be done by immersion from day 1.

It is not necessary to use neutral PH soaps every day.

Fill the bathtub with at least 6-8 inches of lukewarm water and check the temperature with the back of your hand or elbow.

The environmental temperature should be warm, and avoid air currents.

Always start from the cleanest to the dirtiest area.

Never leave the baby unattended.

Dry well, insisting on the crease areas (neck, armpits and groin) and apply moisturizer with a massage, which is usually very pleasant.

It is not advisable to use colognes directly on the baby’s skin, only on the clothes.

The ears should be cleaned with a wet wipe only by the pinna and do not insert cotton swabs.

The eyes should be cleaned whenever necessary with gauze and saline solution, dragging the secretion from the inside out and using a gauze for each eye.

Nails should not be cut before the first month, if they are too long, they can be filed, but always carefully.

Diaper change: Newborns need frequent diaper changes.

Special attention should be paid to the hygiene of girls, always from top to bottom to avoid passing stool into the urinary tract.

Nasal discharge: If secretions are observed, instill saline into the nostrils with a syringe.

Clothing

It is not convenient to overdress the child, we should not be guided by the hands and feet as it is the coldest part of the body.

The clothes should be made of natural fabrics, comfortable, loose-fitting and easy to put on.

Posture

The safest position for the newborn to sleep is on its back, so that it can move its head to both sides, avoiding that it is always resting on the same side.

It is not recommended to place the baby on its stomach because it is associated with a higher risk of sudden death, but it is advisable to place it in this position when awake to favor the increase of cervical tone.

No pillows or any object that could compromise the baby’s safety (ribbons, safety pins, pacifier chains) should be placed in the crib.

You should avoid:

Exposing the baby to tobacco smoke.

Contact with people who have any symptoms of illness (cough, snot, vomiting, diarrhea…) The best way to avoid contagion is a good hand washing.

Transport in arms or in chairs without support. Whenever you go by car, you should always use an approved car seat, even for short journeys.

Reasons for urgent consultation

Intense yellowing of the skin.

Fever.

Continuous refusal of food and/or repeated severe vomiting.

Foul odor from the umbilicus.