We advise that you avoid using baby wipes until your baby is at least 2-4 weeks old. When used, they should be mild and free from alcohol and perfume. 6. We recommend that for premature babies, skin products are avoided for 6-8 weeks as the skin's protective barrier takes longer to mature.
You can start using unperfumed baby bath from about 4 to 6 weeks, but be careful to only use a little so you don't damage your baby's skin. Babies with longer hair may need a drop of mild shampoo on wet hair, lathered and rinsed off.
As baby wipes contain a large amount of water, this can allow microorganism growth.
Use the washcloth to gently wash your baby's face and scalp. Use baby shampoo once or twice a week to clean your baby's hair. Clean the rest of the body. Use the washcloth and baby soap to gently clean the rest of your baby's body.
According to pediatrician Jennifer Shu, diaper wipes are just fine for newborns. The only exception is if baby develops redness or a rash (other than diaper rash), which is indicative of sensative skin. In that case, use cotton balls or squares (they'll probably give you some at the hospital) dipped in warm water.
Generally, a bath 2-3 times per week is enough to keep your newborn baby's skin clean. If they like to be bathed, it's fine to bath them more frequently. Sometimes baths can dry your baby's skin so only use a small amount of soap or baby bath wash.
It's just as important to clean your baby fully whether they have wet themselves or done a poo. If your baby's nappy is dirty, use the nappy to clean off most of the poo from their bottom. Then use the cotton wool and plain warm water (or baby wipes) to remove the rest and get your baby really clean.
Which wipes are best for newborns? For many years, NICE (clinical excellence) guidelines maintained that for the first 6 weeks after birth, babies should be wiped with just water to avoid nappy or diaper rash, which is why midwives recommended cotton wool and water.
Not every diaper change may require a wipe. If your baby has only urinated, then you can probably skip wiping to avoid unnecessary irritation. However, always wipe after every poopy diaper, and always wipe front to back to help prevent the spread of bacteria.
There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.
Newborns don't need a bath every day. They rarely sweat or get dirty enough to need a full bath that often. Three baths per week during baby's first year may be enough. Bathing more frequently can dry out your baby's skin.
Lotions, Ointments, and Powder
If the skin starts to become dry and cracked, use a baby lotion, hand lotion, or moisturizing cream twice a day. Apply it within 3 minutes after a bath to trap moisture in the skin. Cornstarch powder can be helpful for preventing rashes in areas of friction.
On average, you'll need 1-2 wipes per wet diaper and 7-10 wipes per soiled diaper. Depending on the average number of diaper changes, you could use up to 30 wipes daily.
Do you need to wipe a baby girl after peeing? No. Even with a baby girl, you don't need to worry about wiping after they pee. This is because urine doesn't normally irritate the skin and most nappies easily absorb it anyway .
It is recommended to clean the eyes of the baby a couple of times a day: after waking up, that is when there is a greater accumulation of secretions and, after the bath since the secretions have softened and it will be easier to clean.
If you do hear—or smell—a poop, you'll want to change them soon, but not necessarily immediately. A breastfed baby's poop isn't very irritating to the skin, so if they are sleeping soundly and you think they're going to be up soon anyway, you can safely put it off for a little while, says Mochoruk.
If your baby is often dirty after a feed, to avoid the disturbance of having to change their nappy twice, it would be better to change the nappy after the feed. If your baby has reflux, they may vomit if they are moved too much with a full tummy, so you might like to change them before a feed.
As soon as the foreskin can be retracted, it's important to clean beneath it regularly. Teach your child to: Gently pull back the foreskin. Clean beneath the foreskin with mild soap and water.
You can bath your newborn baby at any time of the day. It's a good idea to pick a time when you're relaxed and you won't be interrupted. And it's best to avoid bathing your baby when they're hungry or straight after a feed.
The AAP notes that three baths a week should be plenty for a newborn, but if you want to bathe your baby even less frequently, that's fine too! In general, you can bathe your baby when they are dirty or if you notice that distinctive "cheese" starting to set in in their skin folds.
Skin care for your newborn
Many parents like to use lotions. But unless the baby's skin is dry, lotions really are not needed. Powders should be avoided, unless they are recommended by your baby's healthcare provider.