Babies daily care: in a nutshell

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• Teeth care
• Nappies
• Bathtime
• Nails
• Clothes

Teeth care

Most babies get their first teeth between six to 10 months, although a few don’t get them till about 12 months. You can start cleaning baby’s teeth as soon as they appear. You can use a clean washcloth to gently rub the teeth clean twice a day. After breakfast and before bed are good times to give it a go.

Toothpaste, even the baby variety, is not recommended until baby is two years old.

Nappies

Nappy changes become less frequent as baby gets older although you can still expect at least six to eight changes a day. Remember: lots of wet nappies is a good sign – it shows that baby is getting all the fluids she needs.

And don’t be surprised if her nappies become a little more ‘whiffy’ – it’s common for poo to get more smelly when babies start eating solids.

Changing nappiesAs baby gets stronger and quicker, constant rolling and kicking can turn nappy changing into an endurance test. The main thing is to get through it as quickly as possible and make sure baby is safe at all times.

If baby won’t stay still during nappy changing, try distracting her with a song or a favourite toy.

Nappy rash
To avoid nappy rash, change your baby’s nappy as soon as possible after a poo (you may need to check with a sniff or quick peek). Poo is acidic and can actually 'burn' the skin which (aside from other obvious reasons) is why you want to change a 'number two' nappy straight away. You can apply a dollop of nappy rash cream right where it counts to prevent rashes. If her skin is raw with severe nappy rash don't wipe but rinse with water instead and gently pat dry. If you can give it some air time by letting her go bare bottom for a little while, that can help it heal. If not, apply lots of nappy rash cream to create a barrier and check the rash to make sure it is healing.

Bathtime

Until baby is about six months, you can continue washing her in a little tub (or even the kitchen sink!). But as soon as she can sit up, you can move to the regular family bath. This is also when babies can become more adventurous so ensure bath safety is kept top-of-mind at all times.

You can bathe baby each evening or less frequently provided she has a daily top and tail. Stick with non-soap cleanser (it won’t irritate the skin like soap can) and follow the basic ‘wash order’ you used when she was a newborn:

• Wash the face first
• The body second
• The genitals last

Nails

To trim nails, you can use a small pair of ordinary nail scissors or child nail clippers. (You can try a nail file but beware of filing delicate fingertip skin.)  If you feel up to using nail clippers, then be careful to gently press and hold the fingertip skin away from the nail when clipping. And remember to stop as soon as baby protests or pulls her hand away and pick up again later or when she is sleeping. A treat or a favourite toy could help her get over a bit of anxiety. Even if you just want to press on with it, it’s not worth it if she is likely to develop a fear of it, which will make nail trimming almost impossible when she gets older.

Remember with toe nails to always clip straight across, never rounding the edges which can lead to ingrown toenails.

Clothes

Although your baby is no longer a newborn, it’s still a good idea to keep clothes as practical as possible. Stretchy body suits, t-shirt tops, cotton elastic waist pants and tops with envelope necks that stretch over heads make dressing and undressing easier. Read up on dressing a baby for more ideas.

As she gets older and is sleeping less, you'll probably get out and about more. So make sure she has a hat and other sun smart clothes that will protect her from harmful UV rays.

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  Newsletter snippet: Babies daily care: in a nutshell
  

   

  By Raising Children Network

  Now that your baby is no longer a newborn, there are five important aspects of daily care to consider.

  • Teeth care: as soon as your baby’s teeth start appearing (from 6-12 months), you can start cleaning them. Twice a day with a clean washcloth is a good idea.
  • Nappies: expect 6-8 nappy changes a day and keep an eye on nappy rash.
  • Bath time: when your baby can sit up, you can start using the family bathtub instead of a baby washtub.
  • Nails: carefully trim your baby’s nails with nail scissors or child nail clippers.
  • Clothes: for stress-free dressing, put your baby in stretchy fabrics and clothes that are easy to get on and off.

  This article is an extract only. For more information visit raisingchildren.net.au/health__daily_care/babies_health.html

  Sourced from the Raising Children Network's comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website www.raisingchildren.net.au.