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It may seem daunting at first, but you will soon become an old hand at keeping your newborn clean. Learning the basics beforehand will go along way to keep anxieties at bay.
Here's a comprehensive guide to safe, effective hygiene for your baby, from top to toe.
Nose
Your newborn's nose may be quite flat for a few days, thanks to being squeezed during birth. He'll sneeze often to clear his nasal passage. This is quite normal. The midwife will gently suction your baby's nose if it gets blocked while still in the hospital.
Once home, you can use saline drops to soften the mucus and then a mucus extractor to suction it out. You could also use an earbud, but don't push it into his nose. Just rotate it gently at the entrance or use damp cotton wool to wipe it off.
Ears
Your newborn's ears are so soft because they contain very little cartilage at this age. Always dry behind the ears with cotton wool after washing your baby's hair and head, and also cover his ears while washing by using the tip of your thumb and middle finger.
Never push an earbud into your baby's ear canal. Rather use some damp cotton wool to wipe off excess dirt. If your baby pulls at his ears, it is because he is discovering them and not necessarily because of earache. Always consult your doctor if you are worried. Don't use any home remedies for your baby's ears.
Eyes
Your baby's eyes are puffy and possibly bloodshot during the first few days after birth. He will be given a drop of silver nitrate in each eye immediately following birth to prevent possible bacterial infection.
Read: Play, movement and loads of love: How to boost your child's early brain development
If your baby's eyes become sticky, yellow in colour or pus-filled, contact your paediatrician or doctor. Clean your baby's eyes at least once daily before his bath or wash.
Here's how:
1. Have cotton wool and cooled, boiled water prepared.
2. Dip the cotton wool in the water, squeeze excess water out and wipe from the inner to the outer corner.
3. Use a clean piece of cotton wool for each eye to prevent cross-infection.
4. If your baby does have an eye infection, allow him to sleep on the side of the infected eye, so that no discharge runs into the healthy eye.
5. Antibiotic drops may be necessary to treat a sticky eye. A few drops of breast milk also work very well. Clean his eyes often with sterile saline.
Nails
A newborn's nails are super-soft but very sharp. Your baby's nails may be quite long and he's at risk of scratching himself. Use round-tipped baby scissors or clippers to cut his nails, and do it after he’s been fed, when he’s feeling content, or while he's sleeping.
Bathing
Usually, babies enjoy bathing because the water is warm and the environment familiar. If you feel anxious, ask the nurse or midwife to show you exactly what to do – and remember practice makes perfect!
Get ready
1. Organise what you'll need before you start the bath.
2. A warm room, heated slightly in winter, with closed windows.
3. Try to have the changing table and bath in the same room.
4. Use a table or chest of drawers at adult height, so that you won't hurt your back bending.
5. Place two clean towels over the table.
6. Sort out clean clothes beforehand. You'll need a nappy, vest, socks, babygro, beanie and swaddling blanket.
7. Ensure that you have a laundry basket and bin close by too.
8. Organise your toiletries, if you're using these – massage cream, bum cream, cotton wool and cool, and boiled water for eyes and ears.
9. Place your shampoo, soap or aqueous cream within reach of the bath.
10. Have extra towels on hand if necessary.
11. Half-fill the bath, and check the temperature by dunking your elbow in the water, or use a bath thermometer. It should be lukewarm (about 29.4ºC).
How to bath your baby
Undress your baby and wrap him in a towel. Leave his head exposed. Clean his eyes first, then ears and face, with cotton wool and cooled boiled water. Use the second towel to gently pat him dry.
Also read: Why many South African mothers give up breastfeeding their babies so soon
Picking him up in a football hold under your arm, gently but firmly support his head with one hand while wetting and washing his hair over the bath. Rub his head dry. Be brisk but gentle.
Quickly unwrap him and then – with your left arm and hand firmly supporting his neck, back and left side, and your right hand and arm under his right leg, firmly and gently holding his left thigh – very carefully (and slowly) place him into the water.
Keep holding him with your left arm and hand while you soap him all over. Move him around gently in the water, and then lift him out, quickly wrapping him in the top towel and hugging him dry.
Take off the wet towel, wrap him in the second towel, and dry him very carefully, concentrating on the creases and folds that trap moisture. If using cream, spread it all over, and massage him gently if he allows you to.
Get him dressed quickly, and chat to him all the while, making direct eye contact as often as possible. Have fun during bathtime. As your baby grows, he will enjoy safe, age-appropriate bath toys and, of course, splashing! He'll enjoy you singing and chatting away to him.
Remember to take turns with Dad – you could even have a baby bath with him for a lovely bonding experience. Once your baby is older, he can sit in the bath in a bathing ring, but he must never be left alone.
Need-to-know:
Topping and tailing
It isn't necessary to bath your baby daily, since he doesn't get very dirty for now. You'll need to clean milk possets in the neck area and behind the ears, though. To "top and tail" your baby means cleaning his face and nappy area.
Following our bathing instructions above, clean your baby’s face and eyes. Undress and wrap your baby in a soft, warm towel.
Wet and soap his bottom area, rinsing it by squeezing cool, boiled water and then drying him thoroughly (especially in creases and folds) with the towel.
Use bum cream sparingly and put on his nappy. Dress him quickly – and don't forget to chat and sing all the while!
Wrap your baby in a clean blanket, brush his hair gently, and put on his beanie.
Bath safety
Never, ever leave your baby unattended in the bath – not even for one second!
Check the temperature before allowing your baby to touch the water.
Keep dangerous objects safely out of reach.
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