Mothercare Blog

Good hygiene is extremely crucial for raising a healthy and happy baby. Won’t you agree mommies? All mothers want to protect their children and ensure they are being brought up in a clean, germ-free environment. But are you doing a little too much or not doing enough? Read on to find out!

Ask yourself if you have created a germ free environment for your little one.

Avoid exposing your baby to unwanted germs, limit the time you spend in close quarters or crowded places. Also, stay away from anyone who’s sick. Make sure anyone who wants to hold or touch your baby washes his hands. You should also wash your hands before preparing baby food and feeding your baby. When they are old enough to eat solid foods, give them a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables to strengthen their immunity and talk to your pbhdiatrician about immunization and suitable vaccinations.

Take proper precautions while cleaning their face, mouth and genital areas.

Dip a soft towel in lukewarm water to clean the areas behind their ears. For more vulnerable areas like their eyes and genitals, use cotton cloth dipped in lukewarm water. Use cotton wool to wipe your baby’s eyes softly from the inside to the outside corners. Make sure you use a different cotton ball for each eye.

Begin their dental hygiene at birth. Clean their gums and tongue after morning and evening feeds. Use a soft, clean washcloth or a gauze pad to do so.

Keep track of your little one’s nails.

Your baby’s nails hygiene is extremely important. Keep them well trimmed so that they don’t end up scratching themselves. Badly trimmed nails can also cause dirt to settle into it. Babies are used to taking their fingers in their mouth and this can prove harmful.

 

Clean their umbilical cord till it falls off.

Ensure you clean your little one umbilical cord as it can lead to infection if not taken proper care of. Ensure that the cord does not get covered inside the diaper as it can get soaked in urine. If there is puss or redness, or if the baby cries on touching the umbilical cord, take him or her to the doctor immediately.

Sterilize and clean feeding bottles.

Wash all of your baby’s bottles in hot, soapy water. Use special bottle brush and ensure that you remove any kind of milk residue from it. Also try to change the teat from time to time to ensure it is clean and not chocked.

These details may seem like too much work. Often, these skills can prove daunting too, but with a little practice and some basic instructions, common sense and routine, it becomes easier. So go on mommies, make sure your little one is being brought up in a healthy environment.

Proofread by Dr. Samar Geblawi, Sp. Pediatrician at Uptown Mirdiff branch, Dubai, UAE.