The ABCs of Baby Care

THE ABC'S OF CHILD CARE

Did you put your diaper on backwards? Forgot to hold your baby upright after feeding? Do not worry. Children not only forgive all mistakes, they don’t even notice them. However, all young parents want to do everything right. The ABCs of Child Care will help you achieve this goal. However, everything that is said here about child care is only recommendations. You can find your own methods that are more acceptable to you.

BATHING A CHILD
Until the child has learned to get all four limbs dirty, there is no need to bathe him every day. If you wash dirty places when changing diapers and after feeding, then until he starts crawling, it is enough to bathe him 2-3 times a week. Such a not too dense bathing schedule is especially preferable in the first few weeks, when the bathing procedure causes fear in both the child and the parents. Babies who are not very fond of bathing can be bathed 2-3 times a week, even after dirt begins to accumulate on the body. Daily wiping of critical areas such as the face, neck, arms and lower body with a damp sponge is mandatory between baths. However, for those children who enjoy bathing, this procedure should become a daily ritual.

Almost any time of day is suitable for swimming, although swimming before bed is relaxing and helps you fall asleep quickly. Try not to bathe your baby before or immediately after feeding, since too much stress on a full tummy can cause burping, and the baby may become capricious on an empty stomach. There is no rush during bathing, and you should not be tempted to leave your child even for a second.

If you are using a portable bathtub, any spare room in the house will do, although given the inevitable splashes and puddles, the best place for this is the kitchen or bathroom. The work surface should be level, at a comfortable level for you and have enough free space to accommodate all the necessary perfumes and swimwear. To ensure that your baby feels comfortable, especially in the first months, make sure that the room you choose for bathing is warm enough (preferably from 24 to 27 ° C) and protected from drafts. First, warm up the bathroom with a hot shower or buy a safe heater.

Sponge bath
Until the umbilical cord and the circumcision scar (if it was done) heal, bathing in the bathroom is excluded, only wet wiping remains. This requires some preparation.

1. Choose a place for wiping. A changing table, kitchen table, your bed or crib (if the mattress is raised high enough) are suitable places for this procedure; Just put a waterproof pad on the bed or crib and cover the kitchen table with a thick towel.

2. Have the following supplies ready before undressing your baby:

baby soap and shampoo, if you use them;
2 sponges (one is enough if you are going to soap the baby with your hand);
sterile cotton swabs for cleaning eyes;
a towel, preferably with a hood;
clean diaper and clothes;
cream to prevent diaper rash, if necessary;
cotton swabs and alcohol for treating the umbilical cord;
warm water if you are far from the sink.

3. Get your baby ready. If the room is warm, you can remove all clothes from the child and throw a towel over him before wiping; if the room is cool, remove clothing from the parts of the body that you are going to wipe. No matter what the room temperature is, don't remove your baby's diaper until it's time to wipe his bottom.

4. Start wiping, moving from clean parts of the body to dirtier ones, so that the sponge and water you use do not get dirty right away. Lather your body