For an infant to grow and develop normally, there has to be an atmosphere of cleanliness.
This is because their bodies have not developed very strong immune systems and as such are susceptible to illness.
It is therefore essential that the parents be aware of how to clean their newborn.
While this is something many people take for granted, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it.
Warm or cold water Infants should be bathed daily.
The idea is to keep them clean at all times and not to give bacteria and germs an opportunity to accumulate.
In order to achieve this, warm water has to be used.
Most parents prefer to bathe their newborns in the evening.
This is is perfectly okay.
Some parents use slightly cold water with the view of making the newborn become accustomed to their environment.
Very cold water is not recommended.
All in all, regular warm baths are a sure guard against disease-causing bacteria and germs.
While warm water is recommended in the initial days of the newborn, it is okay to lower the temperature after a few months have elapsed and the child is more acclamatized.
It is however good to still continue using sponge baths.
Some parents even let the child take warm baths inside a mini-tub especially in the summers when the weather permits.
Bathes should be well monitored and regulated.
It is prohibited to leave a newborn in a cold water tub for extended periods.
The newborn's skin Care should be taken to wash the newborn's skin with the right shower apparatus.
Soft sponges are ideal as well as towels and clothes which are approved for showers.
Hard and gritty sponges are forbidden as these can be rough on a newborn's delicate skin.
Some newborns have a lot of fatty tissue and some parents attempt to get to the dirt that is lodged inside the folds.
Care should be taken when doing this.
When bathing a newborn, special care should be exercised especially when washing such sensitive areas as the eyes, armpits and genitals.
Soap should not be allowed inside a newborn's eyes and caution should be exercised when scrubbing the groin area.
Gels, soaps and shampoos Sometimes because of economic hardship, parents may use their own shower gels and shampoos with a newborn.
While no research has been able to prove that this in itself is harmful, it is recommended that you gels and shampoos that are approved for newborns.
This is because their bodies have not developed very strong immune systems and as such are susceptible to illness.
It is therefore essential that the parents be aware of how to clean their newborn.
While this is something many people take for granted, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it.
Warm or cold water Infants should be bathed daily.
The idea is to keep them clean at all times and not to give bacteria and germs an opportunity to accumulate.
In order to achieve this, warm water has to be used.
Most parents prefer to bathe their newborns in the evening.
This is is perfectly okay.
Some parents use slightly cold water with the view of making the newborn become accustomed to their environment.
Very cold water is not recommended.
All in all, regular warm baths are a sure guard against disease-causing bacteria and germs.
While warm water is recommended in the initial days of the newborn, it is okay to lower the temperature after a few months have elapsed and the child is more acclamatized.
It is however good to still continue using sponge baths.
Some parents even let the child take warm baths inside a mini-tub especially in the summers when the weather permits.
Bathes should be well monitored and regulated.
It is prohibited to leave a newborn in a cold water tub for extended periods.
The newborn's skin Care should be taken to wash the newborn's skin with the right shower apparatus.
Soft sponges are ideal as well as towels and clothes which are approved for showers.
Hard and gritty sponges are forbidden as these can be rough on a newborn's delicate skin.
Some newborns have a lot of fatty tissue and some parents attempt to get to the dirt that is lodged inside the folds.
Care should be taken when doing this.
When bathing a newborn, special care should be exercised especially when washing such sensitive areas as the eyes, armpits and genitals.
Soap should not be allowed inside a newborn's eyes and caution should be exercised when scrubbing the groin area.
Gels, soaps and shampoos Sometimes because of economic hardship, parents may use their own shower gels and shampoos with a newborn.
While no research has been able to prove that this in itself is harmful, it is recommended that you gels and shampoos that are approved for newborns.
Source...