5 Newborn care at home 2019
By: Denise Moore
Tags: Parenting, Newborn, Baby Care, Diapers For Newborns

Arriving home with the newborn generates many doubts to the parents. Having a baby is a wonderful experience, but it is logical to have doubts about the care of the newborn at home. In childbirth preparation classes you can learn all the advice for newborn care . Today we explain the care about the most common questions.

How do I cure the umbilical cord?

It is true that in some hospitals they recommend curing it with 70ºC alcohol, some people say that only soap and water and in other centers they recommend other types of products.

The latest recommendations of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics is to clean the cord only with soap and water , and keep it clean and dry . Keep the baby’s diaper folded below the cord stump, so that it is aerated and the urine does not moisten it.

The cord will fall over the first 15 days.

It is important to remember that in no case should povidone iodine be used .

We disassemble some myths about their care that were done until recently:

Do not remove the clamp

Do not put a gauze around . It will keep moisture in the area.

You can bathe your baby even if he still has the cord. You just have to dry the area well after.

It may seem that the baby is upset by the cold sensation of alcohol or another product.

Do not place foreign bodies such as coins or buttons on the belly button, do not use belly buttons

See a pediatrician if it has a strange color, smells bad or there is a discharge

What clothes did the baby see?

We must always keep in mind that the newborn baby is accustomed to the temperature of the maternal uterus, that is to say about 36ºC. This temperature is a little higher than what we usually have depending on the time of the year in which it is born. Therefore you should dress the baby with the same pieces of clothing that you wear, and add one more sleeve. You should not overcoat it as a heavy sweating from excess clothing can lead to dehydration.

You should also keep in mind that if we go out on the street with a low temperature but we are walking, we generate some extra heat. Your baby goes in the cart without moving, so the perception of cold may be greater for him, use a sack or a blanket to keep him warm. On the other hand, if you are going to carry the baby, put less clothes on. Being in contact with your body the temperature in both will be higher.

Babies’ skin is quite delicate. To avoid possible reactions, it is advisable to wash the baby’s clothes separately, make sure that it clears well and if possible do not use fabric softener. The same should be done with your sheets and blankets.

How often do I change my diaper?

Babies make many bowel movements and urination throughout the day. As many times as you have taken. It is important to change your diaper every time you make a bowel movement since having moisture in the area can cause dermatitis and irritation. If the diaper is only stained with urine, the diaper change will depend on the type of diaper and its absorption capacity.

With each diaper change, take advantage of cleaning the area. The wipes are very practical when we are away from home but the ideal is to wash with soap and water . Take advantage of doing it this way when you are at home. It is not necessary to make a full body bath daily, as the skin dries out. It is advisable to bathe the baby every 2 or 3 days and wash the diaper area during diaper changes. The sense of washing is important. Always do it from top to bottom, from the genitals to the anus, to avoid urinary tract infections.

Dry the baby well , especially in the folds. It is not necessary to put creams, oils or talcs unless the baby’s skin has any irritation. If after cleaning it is not irritated, you do not need to put anything. If it becomes irritated, water paste can be used in diapers for newborns changes until the perianal area is again pink and without lesions.

When can I cut my nails?

It is common for a baby to scratch his nails. And many parents want to cut them as soon as possible to avoid those scratches. The nails in the newborn are very close to the skin and you must be very careful when cutting them. There is no specific time when you can start cutting your nails, just watch that the nail is well separated from the skin . A file can be used to trim the nails. Take advantage of doing it when the baby is asleep and holding the hand well.

In what position do I lie?

The latest recommendations of the AEP is to lay all newborns always on their backs , because in this position the risk of sudden death decreases markedly. It is also convenient that you sleep on a firm mattress and avoid putting objects such as toys or stuffed animals in your crib.