This remarkable organ that kept him nourished throughout pregnancy has a bit of an ick factor outside the womb when you’re waiting for it to dry and fall off, which usually takes one to two weeks. At each diaper change, gently wipe the tummy area clean with warm water, allowing the cord itself to stay dry. Avoid tucking it inside the diaper, could trap moisture and make the area “quite dirty and stinky pretty quick.” If you notice any smell, redness, swelling, puss, or if your baby seems feverish or irritable, contact your healthcare provider.
During a bath, it’s OK if the cord gets a little wet as long as you allow it to air-dry afterward. And be mindful not to knock or hit the sensitive area by accident.
Bathing
Hold off on giving your baby a bath for about the first week of life. Most newborn skin is covered in a creamy, white substance called the vernix caseosa, which is largely made up of oils from a baby’s sweat glands. This layer acts as a barrier, protecting your baby’s skin in utero. Within five to 10 days, the vernix will slough off on its own, and that’s a good time to give your baby her first bath.
In the first month of life, a sponge bath (versus a dunk in the sink or tub) is all your baby needs to stay fresh and clean. Wash your baby’s body with a soft cloth dipped in warm water, using soap only when needed (e.g. after a messy spit-up or challenging diaper change) up to three times a week.
Genitals
When washing, treat your baby’s genitals like any other body part in the bath by gently rinsing the area with warm water—front to back for girls to avoid spreading bacteria. Pat the baby dry post-bath to prevent his skin from getting cold, then allow skin to air-dry fully before applying a barrier cream (only when you notice he’s a little red from diaper rash) or a diaper. If your son has been circumcised, carefully bathe him in warm water every day for a full week after surgery. Following each bath, apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the end of the penis to protect it from the diaper while it is sensitive and healing. Continue applying this topical barrier after every bath and diaper change until he’s healed completely, usually within 10 days.
Skin
It’s true your baby’s skin is already perfectly soft, but it recommends applying a baby-friendly lotion on a regular basis to keep their skin hydrated, “allowing it to act as a good barrier against infection.” Dry patches are also prone to cracking, which can make the area vulnerable to bacteria or fungus.
At around two to four weeks of age, it’s very common for babies to develop a rash of acne across their face, little pimples covering her cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. They can even spread to the body. They’re caused by mom’s hormones still circulating in the baby’s body, so there’s nothing you can do to prevent it. But don’t panic, this ugly duckling stage is temporary and will resolve itself in two to six weeks.
Scalp
Avoid scrubbing the scalp too vigorously while shampooing your baby’s hair, and look out for cradle cap. While cradle cap is generally self-resolving. The spots flake off on their own within a few months. Parents can help to loosen the spots by moistening their baby’s head with water or olive oil, then gently encouraging the scales to lift using a soft brush or cloth. Because cradle cap scales can become itchy for some babies, advises applying a moisturizing layer of shea butter or coconut oil after a bath.
Don’t worry about shampooing your baby’s hair too often. Whether he has a luxurious mane or just a few sprouts, a gentle massage with unscented, baby-formulated shampoo is all he needs no more than a few times per week. If his hair needs to be detangled, use a brush for babies with extra soft bristles to avoid irritating the scalp.
Ears
Your baby’s ears, like your own, will clean themselves naturally. No cotton swab needed. You can use a warm washcloth to wipe away any obvious drainage around the external ear area, but leave the inner ear alone. Even if you do manage to pull some ear wax out of the inner ear with a cotton swab, you’ll still risk pushing more in.
Mouth
With their sweet baby breath, it’s hard to believe bacteria are setting up camp in your infant’s mouth even before teeth arrive, but it’s important to keep her gums clean and healthy by gently wiping them daily with a clean, damp cloth. Once teeth arrive, give them a brush every day with a soft toothbrush designed for babies. But don’t worry about using kid-friendly (fluoride-free) toothpaste until your baby turns one as they’re likely to swallow most of it.
Caring for yourself
Even simple tasks like filing nails can overwhelm an exhausted parent, so if you’re overtired or not feeling confident, just wait until you’re ready, or have an extra pair of hands to help. Start any grooming task by placing all the supplies you need within reach, especially at bath time to keep one hand on the baby, so you can feel comfortable and calm throughout the task, and keep your baby safe.
EC Month Confinement Centre Retreat is confinement centre where they provide every mom as well as her baby a care that is both professional and unconditional in every possible way right in a home-like ambience, so comfortable and so warm.
In Malaysia, our ethnic Chinese, Malay and Indian communities all have their respective confinement practices. The common thread amongst the practices of the one of a kind communities is to assist the new mum and assist her to recover from childbirth as properly as regain her bodily and emotional strength.
How long is the confinement period?
For a Malaysian-Chinese mum, the confinement length lasts for a total month from baby's birth. Malay female generally observes a "pantang" period of forty-two to forty-four days. For a Malaysian-Indian mum, the confinement length varies between 30 and forty days.
Some mothers pick out to lengthen their confinement duration in positive conditions to obtain more assist and care. For example, you might now not have household dwelling close by, or you are taking longer than predicted to recover from a cesarean section.
Who will help me during my confinement?
Traditionally, your mother or mother-in-law will take care of you during the confinement period.
Many Chinese mothers who can afford it also hire a confinement nanny or confinement lady, also known as a pui yuet (Cantonese for "companion for a month"), who will see to your needs as well as your baby's.
Chinese confinement restrictions include:
No washing your hair for the entire confinement period. Some mothers get around this rule by using dry shampoo.
Avoiding exposure to "cool" elements such as cold water. Low temperatures from an air-conditioner or fan must be avoided too.
Bathing only with specially prepared warm water that is infused with herbs.
Chinese Confinement Diet
You will be required to devour a range of dishes that will "warm" the physique up. These encompass ginger and a normal tonic brewed with herbs. They are believed to promote higher blood circulation and toughen the joints. The Chinese also believe that fish soups can help raise low milk supply.
It is believed that "cooling" foods such as bloodless drinks, cucumber, cabbage, and pineapple need to be avoided. Also, "windy" ingredients such as onions and jackfruit are off limits as they are believed to motive colic in your baby.
To take the hassle out of cooking these confinement dishes, which can be laborious to prepare, some agencies now offer catering offerings for Chinese confinement foods.
To find out more, visit our website down below to read more about these confinement confessions.
