Baby Care - Top Tips You Should Know part 2

Diaper Changing Some Useful Tips

The things your need for your baby’s nappy changing are:

Diapers, Baby powder , Diaper rash ointments , Cotton balls, Baby wash cloths ,Terry cloth towels ,Baby wipes.

Usually for newborns most people use cloth diapers. Most of the babies do get diaper rash at some point; do not be afraid or tense as it is very common in babies and will usually clear up soon. If your baby gets diaper rash on the genitals or on her buttocks or thighs, make sure you change her very often and that every time you do the area is cleansed properly.

Rash cream may be applied where appropriate. It might be good to leave the baby without the diaper as often as possible as this helps in keeping baby’s skin dry and helps heal the rash faster.

Bathing The Child

Too much bathing may be bad for the babies skin, so bathe the child 3-4 times a week and thoroughly clean the diaper area every time you change the baby’s diaper. Sponge baths are recommended for babies in their first 2 weeks. It’s best to clean the baby gently with a damp cloth and mild lukewarm soapy water. While giving a sponge bath the baby can be kept in a towel, exposing only those parts that are being cleansed. Try and avoid using soap on the baby’s face.

After 2-3 weeks or so your baby is ready for his first bath. Fill a basin with luke warm water. See to it that the babys head and upper body is well above the water level. Then gently clean with a damp cloth. You can pour water over its body using a small mug. Shampoo the babys hair once a week.When washing her hair, make sure that the soap doesn’t go into the eyes, but don’t panic if it does - Just clean the baby’s eyes with a clean damp cloth.

Reasons why your baby is crying

Your child could be crying because of a number of reasons, the most common is hunger. The other reason is indigestion or colic pain. After every feed it is good to carry the baby upright and pat on his back gently till it burps. Below are a few more of the common causes of crying and how to deal with them:

• Lack of comfort – a dirty nappy, tight or irritable clothing can cause crying in some babies. Ensure that your baby’s nappy is always clean and discover what clothing is most comfortable for her.
• Sudden temperature changes – some babies may cry when exposed to temperature changes, for example while bathing or having their nappies changed.
• Lack of attention – some babies will cry when they feel the need for reassurance. There is a need here to find the right balance (for example if you cuddle your baby when she cries at the dead of night she may come to expect this night after nights).


The Teething Process

The teething process can be a difficult period for both the baby and the parents. The process starts at different ages depending on each baby but usually by age of 3 most infants have their primary teeth in place. If by one year your baby still has not got his first tooth it would be wise to see your doctor and dentist. Usually there is no set order in which baby teeth appear – again this depends on the individual baby. It is unusual for a child not to get all twenty teeth.

Here are the signs that your baby may be teething:

• Bulging gums – you’ll be able to see the outline of the teeth as they try and push through his gums.
• Nighttime crying and walking.
• More fuss than normal.
• “Clingy" behaviour.
• An increase in the amount of drooling seen.
• Chewing on fingers, teething rings, and other objects.
• Swollen, red, inflamed gums.
• Poor appetite.
• Interrupted sleep.

When babies are going through the teething process they sometimes bring their hands to their mouths – this brings some relief when the gums have pressure applied to them. You can gently massage your baby to reduce the discomfort of teething – clean your fingers and rub the gums firmly – this may be uncomfortable for your baby initially but she will get used to, and appreciate, the massage the more you do it.Give your baby something cool to chew on – this again provides relief for a little time.

Immunize Your Baby

Since immunization was first introduced it has saved hundreds of thousands of children’s lives. The simple procedure involves injecting your baby with vaccines, which protect them against serious, and sometimes fatal, diseases. Most Doctors recommend that babies receive the following vaccinations, but remember that this may change over time so please check with your doctor for the most up to date ones:

• Inactivated polio (IPV)
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP)
• Varicella (chickenpox)


By giving your child these vaccines you are protecting her for her whole life against several diseases. Many of the above vaccines protect your baby against diseases that are particularly prevalent in the early years of a child’s life, while some are for diseases that can occur at any time in life.

Babies are born with some degree of pre-determined natural immunity – this is acquired in the womb from the mother’s blood. This immunity is further strengthened during breastfeeding (breast milk is rich in antibodies). Your doctor or health care clinic will notify you when it is time for your baby’s first shot, which generally occurs at three months.

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