BABY CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Care of the Navel

The umbilical cord stump usually falls off in 1-3 weeks, but sometimes it takes longer. A small amount of blood or mucus is common, especially after the stump falls off. If you observe this, you may wipe the area gently with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol at each diaper change.

Care of the Genitals

Girls: Separate the labial folds and gently wash the area with soap and a soft washcloth. A mucousy white or slightly bloody vaginal discharge is very common in the first few days of life, may continue for several weeks, and will stop by itself.

Boys: Circumcision is a social custom; it is not medically necessary. If your son has been circumcised, the penis may still be somewhat irritated at the time of discharge from the hospital. With each diaper change, wash the penis gently and apply Vaseline to the head of the penis to keep it from rubbing against the diaper. Applying Vaseline is no longer necessary after the area appears healed, usually 3-5 days. If your son has not been circumcised, simply wash the genital area with soap and water. It is not necessary or desirable to retract the foreskin of the penis when cleaning. This will occur naturally over time, usually by six years of age.

Skin Care

Until the navel heals, sponge bathe your baby with mild soap and water. Once the cord has fallen off, he/she can be bathed in a tub or basin. Use a mild soap on your baby’s skin. Dove, Tone, or Caress soaps are fine. Bathe your baby only as necessary, as overbathing will dry your newborn’s skin. Any moisturizing cream (Baby Lotion, Keri Lotion, Vaseline Intensive Care) can be used to soften the dry skin that babies usually develop in the first months. Baby wipes are acceptable for the diaper area but should be discontinued if a rash develops. Diaper ointments or cornstarch powders are also acceptable to use but are not necessary.

Washing Baby’s Clothes

Baby’s skin is sensitive and fair. It tends to be irritated by detergents. Use Ivory Snow or Dreft to wash the baby’s clothes and diapers. In general, a fabric softener added to the wash is better than one added to the dryer. If a skin rash develops, try eliminating the fabric softener altogether.

Fever

Any fever in the first 6-8 weeks of life is a problem. It is not necessary to check your child’s temperature unless he/she feels warm or is not acting his/her usual self. Temperatures should be taken by gently inserting a rectal thermometer in to the baby’s rectum for 2 minutes. This is the fastest and most accurate method for taking a baby’s temperature. If the thermometer reads more than 100.4º F, the baby has a fever. If your child is less than three months of age, notify the doctor immediately.