After a newborn is discharged from the hospital, each family member has new concerns in caring for the baby. Often parents, especially dads, are afraid to take the baby in their arms at all, fearing to harm his fragile little body. Indeed, although during this period the baby's skeleton is already fully formed, its bones are very fragile and can undergo deformation if the baby is lifted out of the crib abruptly or inadvertently. But you have to take him in your arms to feed or swaddle, bathe or carry out the necessary hygiene procedures. To overcome this understandable fear in yourself, you need to get acquainted with the methods of holding the baby in your arms. Even mothers themselves sometimes do not know how to properly take a newborn in their arms when washing.
How to hold a newborn in your arms
Basic rules for holding a newborn when washing
The key to cleanliness and health of the baby's skin is regular bathing and washing as needed. It is the second procedure that helps to keep the skin of the baby's intimate places clean and fresh. Conversely, keeping a baby in diapers for a long time often leads to diaper rash and overheating.
Daily bathing of a newborn is an obligatory hygienic procedure. When fully immersed in specially prepared water, the baby experiences freedom and relaxation. Very rarely, newborns react negatively to the bathing process. Also, not all babies experience pleasure when they begin to wash away.
While still in the maternity hospital, mothers are told in detail and shown how to properly hold the baby when washing. When parents are faced with the need for a hygiene procedure at home, they usually feel insecure and fearful, because they are afraid of damaging the fragile spine and joints of the arms and legs of the baby.
This will not happen if the general and specific rules regarding holding the baby in your arms in different cases are observed: during lifting from the crib, carrying, bathing and washing.
What not to do in such situations:
- pick up sharply;
- pull the brushes of the handles;
- forget about fixing the head with your fingers so that it does not tilt back;
- pick up uncertainly and carelessly;
- do not hold on one hand for a long time;
- wipe dried feces with effort on delicate baby skin (it is better to moisten with a napkin and then wash);
- use adult detergents, sponges and other people's towels for washing;
- wipe the wet body, and do not blot it with a towel or napkin.
When it's time to wash your baby:
- After changing the diaper, if the baby's bowels are relieved. In the first month of a baby's life, it is recommended to wash it with boiled water, in the future - you can wash it under the tap.
- If the baby is not very dirty during the diaper change, you can wipe it down with a wet baby cloth.
- Usually diapers are changed and hygiene procedures are performed every 3 hours.
Important! Mom and Dad or their assistants must wash their hands with soap and water before washing.
“How to properly hold a newborn when washing? How to carry out this procedure without harming the baby? ”- these questions arise before the parents immediately after the baby is discharged from the maternity hospital.
While washing, you need to hold the baby securely, but not squeezing too much. So that he does not get scared and does not experience discomfort, it is necessary to put him face up, placing the head on a bent elbow, and the body, placing it on the arm. The buttocks can be supported with the palm of your hand. In this case, keep one leg lowered so that the crotch is open. Wash off with a stream of warm water (no higher than 36 degrees).
The quickest way to wash your baby if there are no helpers is to place him under a stream of warm water over the sink. How to keep a newborn while washing under the tap? You need to put it on one hand, bent at the elbow, tummy up and wash with warm water from the tap. The main thing is to regulate the water temperature (36-37 degrees). The sequence of washing for girls and boys is the same: from the genitals to the anus, while not forgetting to gently wash the folds in the perineum. After a month, newborn boys can be washed by putting them on their tummy.
Washing a baby under the tap is an art
Features of washing girls and boys
Boys can be washed while lying on their back and tummy. For the girl, the second position is not suitable, because in this way you can introduce an infection with the remains of feces into the genitals. Washing boys in a face-down position is allowed when he is a little older.
How to properly wash a newborn
Babies in the womb are protected from infections with a special lubricant. After the birth of a newborn, this protective layer is washed off from it. In girls, it persists on the labia for some time. The grease should be retained for the first 2-3 days to ensure protection. It is washed off during bathing and washing. If it doesn't, it can be wiped off gently with a damp cotton pad. This procedure should be done not at one time, but in several steps, because the skin here is delicate, it can be easily damaged. There are certain rules on how to hold a child (girl) while washing and what mistakes to avoid during the procedure:
- First, never put a girl with an unwashed ass after a bowel movement into the pelvis.
- Secondly, wash away with a stream of warm water directed from the front to the anus.
- Thirdly, do not get carried away with the use of detergents, it is better to bathe with water. Wash too dirty ass with baby soap.
- Fourthly, to prevent synechia (fusion of the labia) when washing newborn girls, do not use washcloths and regular soap and perform the procedure very carefully.
Washing girls
Washing a newborn boy
Washing a male baby is associated with a lower risk of infection, this is due to the physiological structure of his genitals. Here, too, there are a number of features of the postpartum development of boys associated with the division of the tissue of the glans penis, which was uniform before birth. This process takes place naturally by the age of 3, less often by the age of 7. When washing a boy, you need to pay attention to this and not interfere with the process. In case of adhesions in the foreskin, consult a surgeon.
Council. It is necessary to wash the baby with a stream of warm water, starting with the penis and scrotum and moving on to the anus. Use baby soaps and gels only for washing the anus. If you experience diaper rash and irritation, you can use powder or oils, but only for the butt.
It's easy to wash the boy right
Features of one hand washing
If mommy has no helpers, then she has to master the intricacies of hygiene procedures on her own. The most difficult thing is to wash a baby by holding it on one hand and acting with the other. In such a situation, you need to prepare water at a temperature of 37 degrees in advance, then put all the necessary items next to it: a clean diaper, soap, a towel, powder or oil. Only after that, free the child from the wet or dirty diaper and start washing. Experience and dexterity in the procedure come with time. The main thing is to be confident in your actions, remembering that the baby's health depends on this.
Healthy baby, happy mom
Young parents who have their first child often have no experience with a newborn. Many adults, especially dads, are wary of taking part in the daily care of a baby. To prevent this from happening, you need to know in advance the subtleties and features of tactile communication with the unborn baby. Such parents would benefit from courses on preparing pregnant women for childbirth. There will be their first acquaintance with how to take the baby in their arms, hold and bathe him.
