Baby hygiene: everything you need to know

Hygiene habits start from a young age, so it’s important to develop a routine early on for your child to carry then through to adulthood. Also, a baby’s immune system is weaker than ours, so parents need to do everything they can to keep unwanted bacteria and germs away from them.

Here’s everything you need to know about baby hygiene and how you can keep your baby healthy and safe against infections and diseases.

Tips for Baby Hygiene

Be aware of the umbilical cord

It normally takes a couple of weeks for the umbilical cord to dry and fall off after birth, so it needs to be cared as it is a sensitive area. Keep it clean and dry by gently wiping your baby’s stomach with warm water after every nappy change and letting it air-dry after a bath.

Make sure to be careful around the sensitive area and keep an eye out for any redness, swelling, smell or other abnormalities. If you notice anything unusual within the area or with your baby’s behaviour, such as irritability, contact your GP.

Nappy hygiene

We all know that babies require a lot of nappy changes and they need to be changed immediately in order to prevent nappy rash. Their delicate skin can be easily irritated, so make sure to change them as soon as you are aware of them going to the toilet and use gentle products on their skin to keep them clean and moisturised, like water-based wipes and nappy cream.

When using disposable nappies, roll them up as soon as they are removed and reseal them using the sticky tabs provided. Then, place them in a plastic nappy bag, tie it up and dispose of it in an outside bin. Cloth nappies should also be removed every time they go to the toilet and you should carefully follow their specific washing instructions, cleaning them separately from any other items.

Looking after a baby’s skin

Babies skin is especially soft and smooth, but it’s important to keep it hydrated and moisturised. This is so dry patches don’t appear and crack which can run the risk of bacteria entering and causing infection. Use a baby-friendly lotion on a regular basis to keep their skin in the best condition.

Bathing your baby

Although the coating on your baby’s skin after birth might not look hygienic, it helps to protect and moisturise it. It will come off during the first week by itself, so once this has happened, it’s time for their first bath.

Start off with sponge baths a couple of times a week, using a sponge or cloth in warm water to wipe their face, neck, hands and bottom, and only use baby-friendly soap when necessary. This is often called “topping and tailing”. After a month of doing so, they will be ready for more immersive baths but they still only need them a couple of times a week. Due to other small messes from feeding and changing, they will be kept clean in between these baths.

Make sure to keep them supported in the water and only bathe them when they are awake and content.

Looking after a baby’s scalp

When bathing, you might be wondering whether you need to shampoo your baby’s hair as well. Regardless if your baby has thick hair or just a couple of strands, you don’t need to wash their hair too often. When you do, gently massage their scalp with a baby-friendly shampoo and use a cradle cap brush with ultra-soft bristles to detangle their hair.

It’s important to remember that the skin on a baby’s scalp is delicate, as well as the scalp itself. When bathing and washing your baby, look out for cradle cap which consists of waxy spots on their head. It is very common in baby’s 3 months old and older and spots may come off on their own within a few months. Keep their scalp moisturised and use a cradle cap brush to help loosen them.

Trimming a baby’s nails

When babies are growing up, they are starting to figure out how to use their limbs. Waving their arms around with long nails can run the risk of scratches, so it’s essential they are kept short and smooth.

Adult nail clippers are unsuitable as they are too big and obstruct your view of their nails, so baby clippers are recommended to avoid hurting your child. If you are uncomfortable with using nail clippers, filing them down is another option which can also make sure that all sharp points are removed.

Keeping a baby’s ears clean

Cotton buds are not needed for cleaning your baby’s ears – or even your own! All you need to keep their ears clean is a warm washcloth to wipe around the outer ear. You do not need to clean the inner ear.

Cleaning a baby’s eyes safely

In order to remove any crust or goo in your baby’s eyes, use a soft cloth or cotton wool ball and some warm water to wipe them. Start in the corner closest to their nose and work your way across to the outer corner.

Always wash your hands before doing so, to make sure you’re not passing on any bacteria, and keep an eye out for discharge or redness as this is a sign of a more serious infection.

Looking after a baby’s mouth & teeth

Even before your baby’s teeth start to come through, it’s best to keep their gums clean and healthy. All you need to do is wipe them with a damp cloth! Then, once their teeth start to arrive, brush them twice a day using just a soft bristled toothbrush – no toothpaste – to establish good oral hygiene habits.

Then, after they turn 1 year old, you can start using toothpaste but it has to be kid-friendly and fluoride-free in case they swallow it. Only use a tiny amount and avoid using adult toothpaste.

Another way you can look after your baby’s mouth is by making sure all their toys, bottles and other accessories are properly clean and sterilised. As baby’s grow up, their curiosity grows alongside them which usually means putting items in their mouths. You can rest assured that no bacteria is being transferred by using Milton’s Anti-Bacterial Tablets or Solution to sterilise items and keep their surroundings clean and hygienic.

Explore our range of sterilisation and hygiene products or read our blogs for more parenting advice.