In the first three months, there’s so much to think—and worry— about. Right from the start, you’ll need to care for the health and hygiene of your daughter. Top on the list of things to do will be: caring for her umbilical cord stub, tending to the endless task of diapering (and diapering, and diapering), and, of course, bathing When the baby’s umbilical cord is cut at the time of delivery, a small stump attached to the navel area remains. This umbilicalcord stump does not need exceptional care. Just keep it clean and dry. To keep it clean, dab some rubbing alcohol on a sterile cotton ball and apply to the area periodically to help prevent infection until the cord stump dries up and falls off, usually in ten days to three weeks. Hold off on submerging the navel area during bathing until this occurs. The withering cord stump will change color, from yellow to brown or black. This is normal, so don’t worry. Keep your daughter’s diaper off the stump to avoid chafing. Most newborn disposable diapers now have an area cut out in the umbilical cord area to keep the diaper from rubbing against the cord. But if you do not have this kind of diaper, simply fold the diaper you have—whether disposable or cloth—below the navelarea. If the baby’s diaper or clothing should stick to the stump, do not pull it off. First wet the area with warm water to loosen the grip. Then gently lift the material away from the area. If you’ve never diapered a baby before, the task can be intimidating. Don’t worry. This is one skill that you get to practice over and over again, making you a pro in a very short time. The people who count this kind of thing say you’re likely to change your daughter’s diaper three thousand times! So don’t be afraid; jump right in. Think safety first. Always have everything you need at hand before you begin diapering. You cannot leave your daughter alone on a changing table for even a second while you turn away to reach for a new diaper. Have at hand warm water and sterile cotton or a clean face cloth, diaper ointment, and a clean diaper. Also, make sure your daughter is on a secure surface and keep one hand on her at all times. (Even newborns move in unpredictable ways.) To begin diapering, lay your daughter on her back. If you are right-handed, her feet should be to your right side, her head to your left. If you are left-handed, place her feet to your left and herhead to your right. This puts your dominant hand near the diaper area and free to do all the work. Unfasten the soiled diaper. Then, holding both of her ankles securely in one hand (the nondominant hand, which is closest to her head), lift your daughter’s legs and bottom up off the surface. With your other hand remove the soiled diaper and wash her bottom. You’ll be surprised to see that your newborn’s bowel movements (BMs) do not look like yours. Watery, greenish, or yellowcolored BMs are perfectly normal in infants for about the first three months. You might see small, hard “rabbit pellets” if your daughter is constipated. If she has diarrhea, it may look like water. Black, tarlike BMs are not healthy and should be reported to her doctor. If the diaper is heavily soiled, you can wipe her bottom with the clean part of the diaper front to remove some excess. Then wash the bottom and genital area with a sterile cotton ball or washcloth dipped in warm water. Commercial baby wipes are too harsh for a newborn’s skin, so stick with water for the first month or two. At first, your newborn will require very frequent changes. After a few weeks, she will require fewer changes. That’s when you can get better organized into a routine. Some babies move their bowels as they are eating; others will wait a while afterwards. Still others will be soiled before they even begin a feeding. Once you know when your daughter is likely to have a BM, you’ll know when to be prepared with clean diapers. Cloth Diapers: If you choose to use cloth diapers rather than disposables, and do not use a diaper cleaning service, you must be very careful to clean them thoroughly. When you remove a soiled diaper from your daughter, empty any bowel movement into thetoilet immediately. Then put the diapers into a diaper pail that’s partially filled with water. Wash the diapers in a separate wash load with a mild soap or detergent. Diaper Rash: Babies wear diapers all day long, and even the most conscientious parent will eventually face diaper rash. The problem can be prevented somewhat by following these guidelines: Change diapers often. Be especially quick to remove a diaper soiled by a bowel movement.Wrap diapers loosely. The new form-fitting disposables let very little air on your daughter’s bottom, so try not to put them on too tightly. Ease up on vigorous cleanings. Your daughter’s bottom is delicate. Too much rubbing and/or harsh soap can be very irritating. Change diapering products. If your daughter’s rash keeps coming back, try different diapers, soaps, ointments, powders, etc. She may be allergic to one of these products. Even with the best preventative tactics, it’s likely your daughter will have diaper rash occasionally. When this happens, here are some ways to ease the pain: Air out your baby’s bottom. If at all possible, let your daughter be totally free of a diaper and any ointment for a few hours each day. If that’s not possible, cut away the elasticized leg opening of the disposable diapers to allow air to circulate. Air is a great healer. Soak her in a tub of barely warm water. Do not use soap! This adds to the irritation. Apply diaper ointment liberally. This will help keep urine off the sore bottom. Do not use baby wipes to clean after each bowel movement. These can be very irritating to the sensitive skinMost rashes will go away in a few days. If your daughter’s rash will not heal or is causing fever or loss of appetite, call her doctor. Sometimes severe rashes require antibiotics and mediated ointments. Diapering Baby Girls: Little girls have special diapering needs. Here are a few tips for girls only: To avoid vaginal infections, always wipe your daughter’s bottom from the front to the back. This will keep the bowel movement from entering the vagina, which can cause an infection. Don’t use talc with baby girls. It is associated with cervical cancer in later life. Cornstarch-based powders are a better choice. If using cloth diapers, fold the cloth to give extra padding in the back where the urine is likely to travel to.Although careful cleaning of your daughter’s diaper area is very important, she doesn’t need a full body bath very often. In fact, most pediatricians agree that your newborn should only have sponge baths during her first week or two, until the stump of her umbilical cord falls off and the navel heals over. Then, a bath two or three times a week in the first year is sufficient. More bathing may dry out her delicate skin. When you do give your daughter a sponge bath, get yourself prepared before you bring her to the water. Gather together a basin of warm water, a clean washcloth, mild baby soap, and one or two towels or blanket in the room where you want to bathe her. To test the water temperature, stick your elbow in it; it should feel warm, not hot or cold. Pick a warm room and any surface that’s flat and comfortable for you both, such as a changing table, floor, or counter next to the sink. If the surface is hard, lay down a towel or blanket. If she is not on the floor, use a safety strap or keep one hand on her at all times to make sure she doesn’t fall. Undress the baby and wrap her in a towel, exposing only the part of her body you are washing at the moment. First, wash her face with a dampened washcloth without soap. Then wet the cloth again and wash the rest of her body. Pay special attention to creases under her arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and the genital area. Once you have washed those areas, make sure they are dry. Into the tub: Once the umbilical cord stump has fallen off and the navel has healed, you can try placing your daughter directly in the water. Her first baths should be gentle and brief. If she seems miserable, go back to sponge baths for a week or two, then try the bath again. Many parents like bathing their newborn in a special baby tub, the sink, or a plastic tub lined with a clean towel. Whatever type you use, fill the basin (before you place her inside) with two inches of warm water, testing it with your elbow. If you’re filling the basin from the tap, turn the cold water on first and off last to avoid scalding the baby or yourself. Make sure your hot-water heater is set no higher than 120° F.Have your supplies on hand and the room warm before bringing in your daughter. You will need a clean washcloth, mild baby soap, and one or two towels, plus a cup for rinsing with clean water. If your daughter has hair, you may want to have baby shampoo, too. Once you’ve undressed your daughter, place her in the water right away so she doesn’t get chilled. Use one of your hands to support her head and the other to guide her body in, feet first. Talk gently to her and slowly lower the rest of her body until she’s in the tub. Most of her body and face should be well above the water level for safety, so you’ll need to pour warm water over her body frequently to keep her warm. Use a soft cloth to wash her face and hair, shampooing once or twice a week. Massage her scalp gently, including the area over her fontanels (soft spots). Don’t worry. You won’t hurt her by doing this. When you rinse the soap or shampoo from her head, cup your hand across her forehead so the suds run toward the sides, not into her eyes. If you get soap in her eyes, take the wet washcloth and wipe her eyes with lots of lukewarm water until the suds are gone. She will then open her eyes again. When your daughter comes out of the bath, wrap her in a towel, making sure her head is covered. Baby towels with hoods are very handy for this move. The most important rule of baby bathing is this: If you have forgotten something or need to answer the phone or door during the bath, take the baby with you. Never leave a baby alone in a bath. After a while, you and your daughter may find that bathtime is the best time of day. It’s a chance for both of you to enjoy the soothing effects of water and to give each other your undivided attention.
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