Bringing home a new baby is both an exciting and life-changing experience. Things you never previously worried about, like your fluffy cat spreading its fur across the sofa, need to be addressed.
Maintaining hygiene around your baby is of utmost importance, and as new parents, you need to get used to the idea of being cleaner than ever before. The first 28 days after your baby is born are vital, so you need to put measures in place to prevent your baby from picking up any unnecessary infections.
Let’s look at some simple ways to maintain good hygiene around your baby.
Sterilize
When you bring a newborn into your home, the word you’ll hear most frequently is, “sterilize.” That’s why it’s important to invest in a good baby bottle sterilizer.
For breastfed and bottle-fed babies, having a baby bottle sterilizer is essential to keep milk bottles clean for storage and feeds. That way, your baby can enjoy a healthy feed, free from any germs.
Because cross-contamination happens quickly, it’s important to sterilize all of your baby’s feeding equipment as soon as possible after feeding.
Washing Hands Frequently
If there’s one thing we’ve all learned from the COVID-19 crisis, it’s the importance of washing hands thoroughly. The more frequently you wash your hands before you interact with your newborn baby, the better.
Try to wash your hands immediately after a diaper change and just before you feed your baby. Keep in mind that babies come in with a compromised immune system, and they’re still developing. So, it’s ideal to get in the habit of always washing your hands before touching the baby.
Also, wash your hands when you get home from work or anywhere else, and if you need to care for the baby while battling a cold or flu, you need to be extra vigilant with your cleanliness.
Pet Alert
While your trusted fur-ball has been your companion for all these years, your newborn baby will take center stage in your life. This means you’ll have to make some adjustments. Babies need a lot of extra care and attention.
This doesn’t mean that you should show your pet the door as this may cause Fido to suffer from separation anxiety. Rather, be on high alert. Try to keep your pet in a different room from your baby, make sure they don’t jump in the crib, and always wash your hands after playing with your pet.
Diaper Changes
Adjusting from never having to change a diaper to changing diapers all day can be quite hard, but this task is unavoidable. Your little angel depends on you to remain dry, so it’s important to check those diapers often.
You’ll go through a lot more diapers and nappy rash cream in the first few months, but the most important thing is to ensure that your baby is kept dry and comfortable.
Be Germ Conscious
While family members love to flock to see a newborn baby, your baby’s safety should always come first. At least for the first few months, avoid exposing your baby to a large group of people, and thereafter, make sure to enforce a hand-washing rule before your family members hold your baby.
It may seem harsh to show an aunt to the bathroom before she touches your newborn, but being safe is better than being sorry.
Having a baby means being mindful about everything. No one will be mad at you for being extra cautious around your newborn baby, so make sure to apply these newborn hygiene tips. You’ll thank yourself for it later on.
