How To Clean Baby’s Bottom
Caring for a baby's bottom is a routine activity that a parent performs every day. One of the most important parts of baby care is changing the diaper. Frequent changing of the newborn and airing the baby's bottom will help in the prevention of diaper rash and diaper dermatitis.
Changing the baby should always be done after a bowel movement, at least every 3 hours, and preferably before each feeding of the baby, so that the baby is calm and the wet diaper does not interfere with eating. In addition, the newborn often defecates during feeding.
- How To Change Baby’s Diaper?
Diapering a newborn in the first month of its life is a frequent care procedure performed by the parent, on average 8 to 12 times a day. Infant - a child after 28 days of age, soils the diaper less often, about 6-8 per day. When changing your baby, you should remember certain rules:
Changing the diaper should be adapted to the baby's sleeping and waking rhythm.
Use warm water and a cotton swab or hand-warmed hypoallergenic wet wipes to clean your baby's bottom.
The baby's bottom should be washed from front to back to prevent fecal bacteria from entering the urethra or private area in girls.
Dry your baby's buttocks thoroughly before applying the cream to the baby's bottom and putting the new diaper on.
You cannot pull the baby's feet or legs - you should always gently lift the baby's pelvis, putting your hand under the buttocks or putting your hand between the baby's legs, grabbing the thigh near the buttocks.
The place for changing the baby should be arranged ergonomically, so that the mother or father does not have to bend down excessively, and all the changing accessories are within reach.
- Cosmetics for the baby's bottom
You can use reusable diapers (cloth or flannel diapers) or disposable diapers to change your baby. It all depends on the convenience and wealth of the parent's wallet. It is worth mentioning that modern disposable diapers already have the necessary approvals, are highly absorbent and at the same time airy. However, they can sometimes lead to sensitization of the baby's bottom region.
In addition to diapers for the baby, for the care of the baby's bottom, you need:
- wet wipes - it is important that they are hypoallergenic; alternatively, water in a bowl and cotton pads are enough,
- cream or baby's ointment - preferably with allantoin and panthenol; baby powder can be used instead,
- anti-diarrheal cream with zinc oxide.
Cosmetics for children must be certified by the National Institute of Hygiene and the Institute of Mother and Child. Important information for a parent, which should also be on the packaging of a cosmetic for a child, is its composition, purpose and expiration date.
Every parent should know that improper care of the baby's buttocks area can contribute to diaper rash. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow the hygiene rules for the baby's sensitive area and the use of appropriate cosmetics for the baby's bottom. It should be remembered that sometimes plain water with soap for babies and airing the bottom prevent chafing.
Article verified by an expert:
Monika Łapczyńska, MSC
Midwife, physiotherapist, childbirth school instructor, 1st degree masseuse, physical recreation instructor, graduate of the Medical University of Warsaw.
