When a child appears in the family, parents always have a huge responsibility. The baby needs constant care, attention and careful care. Of course, bathing, feeding and changing diapers are not such complicated procedures, but they also need to be performed correctly. Despite all efforts, parents often make mistakes, especially at first. Read how to avoid them in this article.
1. Bathing in potassium permanganate
Moms often bathe their babies in the bath with a solution of potassium permanganate. They are convinced that thanks to such water procedures, the baby will be healthy and will not catch any infection. However, pediatricians explain that potassium permanganate is not only unhealthy for the crumbs, but can also be harmful.
“Rose water” dries the skin very much and if you bathe the baby in water with a solution of potassium permanganate often, this can lead to its peeling. The same effects are given by the infusion of the series. In general, any herbs are potential allergens and causes dry skin, so you can only use them after discussing this issue with your doctor.
A really useful bath with potassium permanganate can only be for healing the umbilical wound. Those. you need to bathe a newborn in potassium permanganate only until the umbilical wound heals. In other cases, using "rose water" is pointless.
When the umbilical wound heals, a newborn can be bathed in ordinary warm water at a comfortable temperature. Baby foams, shampoos and gels are best used no more than once a week, even if they are absolutely safe and hypoallergenic. More often this is not worth doing, so as not to deprive the baby's skin of its natural protection.
We also read on the topic of swimming:
2. Incorrect use of diapers
Many mothers criticize diapers, accusing them of having a baby diaper rash and skin irritations. This is another misconception. Modern diapers are a unique invention of mankind and they were created to simplify the care of the baby, keep the baby's skin dry and clean. If diaper rash and skin rashes occur, it means that the diaper is simply used incorrectly.
Every mother should know that the diaper should be changed for the baby with an interval of 3 hours and every time after a bowel movement. Each time you change the diaper, you must definitely have air baths. If babies get allergies, changing the brand of diapers usually helps to solve the problem (what diapers to choose for newborns (+ video reviews)).
3. Fear of hypothermia
Caring for a small child often goes to extremes and a typical mistake of most parents is the fear of overcooling a child. Adults begin to wrap babies in blankets, turn on the heater, put on winter overalls for a walk when it is early autumn outside. Grandmothers who are sure that the child is constantly freezing make their contribution.
Any pediatrician will confirm that overheating for a baby is a more dangerous condition than hypothermia. When overheating, his whole body begins to sweat at once, his skin becomes moist. From a light breeze or a small draft, the baby risks catching a cold. Also, excessive wrapping of the child and overheating provokes prickly heat - a skin rash that is very itchy and itchy. In a global sense, overheating negatively affects the nervous system of a child.
Rule: Wearing a baby should be the same as herself, plus one more layer. It is important that the clothes are sewn from natural fabrics, the same applies to bedding. The room where the baby is located should be regularly ventilated. It should maintain a temperature in the region of 22-24 degrees. Then the child will be comfortable.
We also read:Optimum air temperature in the room for a newborn baby: how to maintain temperature
4. To cut nails is a torment
Difficulties in most parents cause trimming nails in the newborn. They are afraid to injure the child, to hurt him. At the same time, the baby is constantly tossing and turning, moving its hands. However, if you select the right tool, the procedure will be much easier.
Infants need to cut their nails as they grow. It is recommended to do this more often, because harmful bacteria accumulate under the nails. To do this, you should buy safe thin baby scissors: their ends are blunt, so they can not injure the fingers of the baby.
We also read: Baby Nail Care. How to properly care and trim the nails of a newborn baby
5. Peeling off the crusts on the head
The baby does not immediately stabilize the work of the sebaceous glands. For this reason, in the first months after birth, yellowish crusts may form on his head. This phenomenon is very common, not dangerous for health, but requires proper care.
Many parents make a mistake and begin to “pick up” these crusts. It is absolutely impossible to do this. After all, babies have such delicate and vulnerable skin, which is very easy to injure. And where is the injury, there is inflammation (especially considering the fact that a huge amount of bacteria accumulates under the nails of the parents).
If the newborn has yellowish crusts, you need to wash his head with warm water and mild baby shampoo. Then, gently pat the baby's head with a towel, without wiping it dry, apply baby oil and put on a bonnet. The scales will soften, so they can easily be cleaned with a comb, gently separating the scales and not causing the child discomfort. To remove all the crusts, several procedures are required. Hurry in this matter is not worth it. We read in detail:On the crusts on the head of newborns - the causes and how to remove them
We also read:
- 15 outdated baby care tips
- The main misconceptions in the care of newborns
- My mistakes in caring for a newborn daughter
- The most important newborn care tips. The best memo article for moms and dads
And I made a mistake believing that the loud crying of a child is a sign of hunger. She began to feed him, and the child was not yet hungry. After the pediatrician explained that babies rarely begin to cry if they are hungry.
At the expense of potassium permanganate, I want to say that the water should be barely yellowish in color, then disinfection will be beneficial. And about dressing, of course, you need to ensure that the child is warm, but do not forget that the temperature regime in the baby’s body has been improving for more than one month and frequent changes occur. You just need to make sure that the nose is warm, this is a children's thermometer. If the nose is cool, then the baby is cold.