Baby Basics 101

How to change a diaper
How to give a baby a bath
How to dress a baby
How to care of your baby's teeth
How to take your baby's temperature
How to trim your baby's nails
How to handle sleep problems

Soon after your baby is born comes the realization that there is now a brand new little person who requires a great deal of care. You may feel some anxiety about all the things that need to be done to care for your baby. The first thing you must do is relax. Babies are very forgiving and even if you have not yet mastered the art of diapering or dressing a baby, you now have a great opportunity to practice and become an expert. The main thing to remember is to take your time and enjoy getting to know your baby.

How to change a diaper

One of the first decisions a new parent will need to make is whether to use cloth or disposable diapers. Today 80 percent of babies wear disposables since they are so convenient to use. However, cloth diapers are still available and there are some parents who prefer using them.

Before you diaper your baby make sure that all needed supplies are within easy reach:

• Clean cloth or disposable diapers.



• Fasteners and waterproof diaper covers for use with cloth diapers.



• For babies who are younger than one month, use cotton balls dipped in warm water and a dry washcloth to dry your baby's bottom. For older babies you can use diaper wipes. Use diaper wipes that are alcohol free to reduce the risk of irritation for your baby's sensitive skin.



• Ointment if your baby has diaper rash.



• An extra set of clothing, including socks, just to be prepared.

Use following steps to easily diaper your baby:

• Wash and dry your hands.



• Place your baby on a changing table or on a protective pad on a firm, flat surface like a bed or the floor.



• Take off the soiled diaper.



• To cleanse your baby's bottom, use the cotton balls dipped in warm water or diaper wipes.



• Use the ointment if your baby has a diaper rash.



• Put on the new diaper:



• Most cloth diapers come pre-folded and ready to put on your baby. Place your baby on the middle of the cloth and fold the center up and the two sides in towards the center, and then fasten and put on a plastic diaper cover.



• With disposable diapers you open up the diaper, place your baby on it, and use the tape fasteners on the sides of the diaper to secure.



• Dispose of the soiled diaper in a sanitary manner.

NEVER leave your child unattended on a changing table.

How to give a baby a bath

Newborns don't need much bathing. During the first week or two, until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off, give your newborn sponge baths. Submerging the cord may interfere with its drying out. Once the umbilical area is healed, you can bathe baby in a basin filled with 2 inches of warm water. Her first baths should be gentle and brief, and if she seems to protest too much, try going back to sponge baths for a week or two. Your baby will let you know when she's ready for a real bath.

Make sure you have all that you need before bath time, and that the room is warm before undressing your baby. Here are some supplies you'll need:

• A bassinette or plastic tub, lined with bassinette sponge liner or clean towel



• Mild baby soap



• Washcloth



• Towel for drying



• Baby shampoo (once she has hair)



• Cup for rinsing

Baby toys aren't really needed for very young babies. Once a baby is old enough for the bathtub, containers, floating toys, even waterproof books can make bath-time fun as you cleanse your baby.

Do's

Sponge baths:

• Lay baby on a well-padded surface that is flat and comfortable. If the baby is on a surface above the floor, use a safety strap or keep one hand on her at all times to make sure she doesn't fall.



• Have a basin of warm water, a washcloth, and mild baby soap within reach before you begin. Keep your baby wrapped in a towel, and expose only the parts of her body you are washing.



• Use the dampened washcloth first without soap to wash her face, so you don't get soap into her eyes or mouth. Then, using soap, wash the remainder of her body, and finally, the diaper area. Pay special attention to creases under her arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and in the genital area.

Bassinette bath:

• Fill the basin with 2 inches of water that feels warm, not hot, to the inside of your wrist or elbow. Once you've undressed your baby, place her in the water immediately so she doesn't get cold. Support her head with one of your hands and use the other to guide her in, feet first. Speak to her gently as you lower her into the tub.



• Most of her body and face should be well above the water level for safety. You can pour warm water over her body frequently to keep her warm.



• Use a soft washcloth to wash her face and hair, shampooing once or twice a week. Massage her entire scalp gently. When you rinse the soap or shampoo from her head, cup your hand across her forehead so the suds won't run into her eyes.



• If some soap gets in her eyes, simply wipe her eyes with a wet washcloth, using plain, lukewarm water until the soap is gone.



• Wash the rest of her body from the top down making sure the diaper area is completed last.



• When the bath is finished, dry her off with a baby towel. Towels with built-in hoods are an effective way to keep her head warm when she's wet.



• Use warm water, but not too hot. Make sure your hot water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees F. Also, fill the basin with water before placing a baby in the tub.



• Be sure to support your baby's head at all times during bathing.

Don'ts

• Never leave your baby unattended in the bath.



• Don't use cotton swabs in the baby's ears. The swabs just push the earwax back in, which leads to blockage, or you may place the swab too deep, which can injure the eardrum.

How to dress a baby

Choose clothes that are easy to put on and to take off. These would include garments with snap closings around the neck, front, crotch, and legs. Clothing with back openings is somewhat harder to maneuver so front opening garments are recommended. It's a good idea to only change your baby's outfit when it's badly soiled. Wipe up small messes with a damp cloth or a baby wipe and dress your baby in a new outfit when it's really needed.

Here are some tips for dressing your baby with a minimum of struggle:

• Place your baby on a changing table or a flat surface like a bed.



• Select a garment and with your hands, stretch the neckline so it will be easier to slip over your baby's head. Remember to pull it gently to avoid hurting your baby's head and ears.



• Instead of trying to push your baby's arm through the garment's sleeve, reach into the sleeve, gently take hold of your baby's hand, and pull it towards you through the sleeve.



• To avoid snagging when your baby is wearing a garment with a zipper, pick up the zipper and while it's away from your baby's body, pull it up or down.

How to care for your baby's teeth

Now that your baby's teeth are coming in, you will want to keep them clean and strong. You should start cleaning your baby's mouth as soon as the first tooth arrives. The following tips will help keep your baby's smile healthy:

• The best way to clean your baby's first teeth is to wipe them with a clean cloth that you've dampened with water.



• As more teeth show up, you can start using a soft, baby-sized toothbrush.



• It's not a good idea to let your baby go to sleep while drinking from a bottle. If extra formula remains in your baby's mouth, cavities could result.

How to take your baby's temperature

It's likely that your baby will develop a fever at some point during the first year and your pediatrician will ask you what your baby's temperature is. There are three common methods to taking your baby's temperature:

• Rectal - This is the most accurate reading of your baby's temperature.



• Gripping the glass thermometer between your thumb and fingers (with the bulb pointing away from you) shake down the mercury column, using a snapping motion with your wrist, until the thermometer reads 96.



• Use rubbing alcohol or soap and water to clean the bulb of the thermometer. Then rinse with cool running water.



• Dab some petroleum jelly or another lubricant on the thermometer's bulb.



• Lay your baby facedown on a flat, secure surface, like a bed or even your lap if your baby is very young.



• To stop your baby from rolling over, hold your hand on the small of your baby's back.



• Using your other hand, take the thermometer and insert 1/2 inch to 1 inch into your baby's rectum. Keep the thermometer in place for two minutes and then remove it and read the temperature.



• A temperature of over 100 degrees F may mean your baby is running a fever.



• Underarm - This method provides a reading that is a little less accurate but it is also much easier and less intrusive to your baby.



• Gripping the glass thermometer between your thumb and fingers (with the bulb pointing away from you) shake down the mercury column, using a snapping motion with your wrist, until the thermometer reads 96 degrees.



• Take off your baby's shirt and undershirt.



• Check to make certain your baby's armpit is not damp.



• Place the thermometer so that the bulb end is resting in the center of your baby's armpit. Then hold your baby's arm so that it completely covers the thermometer. To keep the thermometer in place, hold your baby's elbow down.



• Wait four or five minutes and then read the temperature. Typically armpit readings are about 2 degrees lower than that of a rectal reading.



• Ear - This is the least accurate method and is not usually recommended for young babies. It also takes a bit of practice to use correctly so you should have your pediatrician show you what to do.

How to trim your baby's nails

Your baby's nails are very soft and very thin. It's recommended that they be cut when the nails become long or ragged so your baby's face does not get scratched. Here are some tips for safely trimming your baby's nails:

• It's best to use baby nail clippers, small blunt-nosed scissors, or a soft emery board to file down the nails.



• After a bath your baby's nails will be even softer and your baby will probably be very relaxed so it is a good time to trim nails.



• Another good time is when your baby is asleep.



• Baby's nails grow very fast so you will probably need to trim your baby's nails one to two times a week.



• Toenails do not grow as quickly as fingernails and will need to be trimmed only one to two times a month.

How to handle sleep problems

Your baby will start being more alert and spending more time awake by age two months. At that point you may see that your baby is starting to sleep on a more regular schedule with fewer middle-of-the-night awakenings. By 3 months of age, many infants will sleep for seven to eight hours at night, at a stretch. The following are some tips for helping your baby consistently sleep through the night.

• Keep your baby awake more during the day so that your baby will be tired and will sleep better at night.



• Feed your baby more at bedtime so that your baby is not waking up due to being hungry.



• Sometimes babies get their nights and days confused and want to sleep the day away and play all night. When this happens try to make nighttime activities as uninteresting as possible. Feed and change your baby as needed but don't encourage this behavior by talking, playing, or turning up the lights.



• Some babies wake up at the crack of dawn. Try installing blackout shades to block out the sun.



• Don't rush to your baby at the first sign of fussing. Sometimes your baby is just in a lighter stage of sleep and might squirm or cry out, and then naturally return to a deeper stage of slumber.

External Sources The American Academy of Pediatrics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Brush Up on Healthy Teeth: Simple Steps for Kids' Smiles. (2002)

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

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