Specific Areas

CARE OF SPECIFIC AREAS

EYES:

The eyes should be wiped from the inner corner to the outer corner, using a clean cotton ball or clean area of the washcloth for each eye. No care, other than this cleansing with clean water, is necessary unless there is evidence of inflammation or infection. Do not use kajal or surma, because in doing so you could introduce infection into the eye. If you notice any redness, swilling, or discharge, check with your doctor. It could indicate infection.

NOSE AND EARS:

Cotton-tipped applicators should not be used to clean the baby’s nose or ears because of danger of injuring the delicate tissues. The nose usually does not need cleaning because the baby sneezes to clear the nasal passages. If some dried mucus does need to be removed from the nose, a small twisted piece of cotton moistened with water may be used. Only the outer ear should be cleaned. Nothing should be put inside the ear.

HAIR:

The head should be washed each time the baby is bathed. Swaddling the baby in a towel and using the “football” hold makes the job easier. The same soap the baby is washed with or any brand of baby shampoo can be used. Oil should not be put on the hair, as it may predispose to “cradle cap”.

SKIN:

The newborn’s skin is often dry and peeling within a few days after birth, and dry cracks may appear in the wrist and ankle areas. This is sometimes a cause of concern to mothers and they want to put oil or some other preparation on the skin to get rid of the dryness. You can be reassured that the flakiness and cracks will disappear in a few days and that oil and some lotions may make matters worse by causing a rash.
The sweat glands of a newborn baby do not start functioning until after the first month. The baby must always therefore be protected against warm weather and excessive clothing. Hot conditions can lead to his developing prickly heat, a closely grouped pinhead-sized rash, on the face, the neck, and wherever skin surfaces touch. Fewer clothes and a cooler clime help to relive the discomfort.

BUTTOCKS:

Sometimes, the baby’s buttocks become reddened and sore. A diaper rash can occur from a reaction of bacteria with the urea in the baby’s urine. This in turn causes dermatitis. The most important prophylaxis is to keep the diaper area clean and dry. Do not be lax in changing a soiled or wet diaper. You could also use baby oil to protect the area. Pastes may not be advised, because they are much more adhesive than ointments and thus create cleansing problems. You could also expose the baby’s reddened buttocks to air and light several times a day, taking care to deep the infant covered otherwise. This simple treatment is often effective. Boiling the diaper is another effective measure, since the residue of the detergent in itself can be irritating.