How to take care of babies umbilical cord – Tips on taking care of newborn baby’s bellybutton, skin, nose, eyes, sleep and play. The bellybutton also referred to as the umbilical stump, after the birth of the baby is usually touched with an antibacterial agent and sometimes dressed by the attending doctor in the labour room.
How to take care of babies umbilical cord – Best tips for first time mothers !
Tips on how to take care of babies umbilical cord !
As a rule the bellybutton or umbilical stump will fall off in a week’s time provided it is left as such and neither made wet by a bath nor pulled out.
At times, pus or a watery discharge may ooze out from the umbilicus. Sometimes you may find, when the baby is two or three week old, a pea-size mass buried in it. This is called polyp or granulation.
A doctor’s opinion should be sought in such a situation. Remember, a septic umbilicus can spread infection to the rest of the body. The disease thus produced, septicaemia, is serious and can prove fatal.
Bad hygiene and neglect of the umbilicus can lead to another killing disease – tetanus. It is almost always seen in babies delivered and cared for in traditional ways and means.
Mind you, one cause of tetanus in the newborn is the application of dust, cowdung or traditional pastes.
Care of the nose of newborn babies
It is important to keep the nose clean. Else, a blocked nose may cause undue crying and breathing difficulty. Avoid poking cotton wool plugs into the nose.
Many a time babies are crying aloud and a peep into the nostrils reveals a tiny cotton piece plugging the air passage. So, remember, good “mothering” also includes paying attention to such small things.
Care of the newborn babies eyes and ears
The ears and eyes should be cleaned at every bath. Do not get into the habit of pouring warm oil into his ear canals. You will only be boosting accumulation of more wax rather than getting rid of it.
Also, when you clean his eyes, see that you move the cotton swab or the edge of the towel from the corner, close to the nose towards the outer side. Do not put kajal or surma in his eyes.
Care of the fingernails
You need to attend to your baby’s fingernails as carefully as yours. Keep them short; they may require cutting every three or four days. Else he may have ulcers in his mouth and sores over the skin.
When to take your baby outdoors
You should begin to put your baby outdoors for an hour or two everyday provided that the weather is conductive, after a week or so. Dress him adequately – neither too much nor too little. Just that he is going to stay out for his daytime nap(s) is not a good reason to wrap him with too many clothes.
In order that he gets used to the sun, do expose him to sunlight. Avoid the glare of the sun falling on his eyes however.
Paediatric check-up
Do not wait for a medical problem to knock but have him examined by a specialist. Look up the doctor for his first paediatric check-up when he is one month old.
During the first year of life, it is advisable to have him regularly checked every month or so. Put your difficulties and queries over to the doctor.
How to take care of the newborn babies skin
Daily bath is a must. On hot days, it may become necessary to have an additional bath in the afternoon.
After giving the bath, see that you do not rub his delicate skin with a towel. Rather, pat it with a soft towel.
Do not leave the baby for any length of time, “cooling his heels”, with a soiled or wet nappy. Else he may develop what is known as nappy rash.
Also, do not rub the stool off his buttocks while changing the nappy. Instead, use cotton wool dipped in olive oil or wash his bottom with warm water.
Play
Once the baby is a week or two old, he should be put in a pram after his morning feed or afterwards. The mother should find time to play with him. Even newborns enjoy playing.
If you are going to keep him in the pram in the greenery of your lawn, make sure you have him protected from mosquitoes and other insects. A mosquito net may be required.
Sleep for the newborn
The newborn sleeps nearly all through day and night except during the feeding periods. It is estimated that a newborn infant sleeps for almost 22 hours a day.
There is nothing wrong in this sleep pattern. In fact the time-honoured belief that “children grow in their sleep” is well founded.
Mothers and elders in the family often feel disturbed when the baby sleeps for long hours. Remember, it is normal for a newborn and a little older infant to sleep on his abdomen.
In fact, it is safer and more comfortable for the baby. You may well encourage him to do so.
You should let your newborn sleep in a baby cot or crib by your bedside rather than have him share your bed. There are several types of cradles available in the market.
You may buy a collapsible one. It is fairly economical. Also, since it is folding, no space problem is posed. It would keep serving your baby for some two or three years.
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