Why genital hygiene is important for babies
It’s important to keep your baby’s genitals clean. This helps to prevent infections and keep your baby healthy.
How and when to clean your baby’s genitals
You can clean your baby’s genitals when changing their nappy and at bath times.
Steps
- Use warm water and a soft washcloth or a cotton ball.
- Add a small amount of mild baby cleanser to the water, but avoid using perfumed soap.
- Make sure to wash all cleanser off your baby’s genitals.
Avoid using talcum powder and cornstarch-based baby powder anywhere on your baby, including around your baby’s genitals. These powders have fine particles that your baby can breathe in.
How to clean a baby’s penis
Steps
- Wet a soft washcloth or a cotton ball with warm water containing mild baby cleanser.
- Gently wash your baby’s penis and scrotum using warm water with a mild baby cleanser and a soft washcloth or a cotton ball.
- Dry your baby’s penis and scrotum by patting gently with a soft towel.
Things to know
You need to clean only the outside of your baby’s foreskin. You can clean inside the foreskin when it easily pulls back on its own, which happens over time.
It’s common for a milky white substance (called smegma) to gather under the foreskin. This is made of dead skin cells and natural secretions. It’s nothing to worry about.
If your baby has been circumcised, your doctor might recommend you put some protective ointment like petroleum jelly on your baby’s penis. This will stop your baby’s penis from sticking to the nappy while it’s healing. Circumcision for non-medical reasons isn’t recommended.
How to clean a baby’s vulva
Steps
- Wet a soft washcloth or a cotton ball with warm water containing mild baby cleanser.
- Wipe the vulva, starting at the front and gently wiping backwards towards the bottom. Don’t put anything inside the vagina.
- Use a clean part of the cloth or a new cotton ball if you need to wipe again.
- Dry your baby’s vulval area by gently patting with a soft towel.
Things to know
Nappy creams, sweat and other substances can collect in and around the vulva. But in general, you need to clean in and around the vulva only to remove traces of poo.
Sometimes your baby might have a thick milky discharge – this doesn’t need to be cleaned away. If you’re unsure about any other discharge, see your GP or child and family health nurse.
Don’t use vaginal deodorants or douches. They can upset the natural chemical balance of your baby’s vagina and increase the risk of infection.
It’s common for newborn baby girls to have bloody vaginal discharge in the first few weeks after birth. This is a response to maternal hormones, which are still in your baby’s body. If this discharge doesn’t go away, contact your GP or child and family health nurse.