Parenting is truly the toughest job in the world. I’m telling y’all, when my babies were brand new, I was so tired that all my days blended together, time was a myth, and I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. When the hospital sent me home with my newborn child for the first time, I thought they had to be joking to leave that precious little angel in my and my husband’s hands. One of the areas I struggled with was knowing proper baby hygiene since newborn skin is so much more sensitive and supple than my own. I put together my top newborn hygiene tips for new parents to read to avoid some of the trial and error steps I went through. Keep in mind, this is just a guide from my experience and what worked for my babies. Every child is different and has different skin and different needs, so I highly recommend talking to your pediatrician if you have more in-depth concerns for your little bundle of joy.
Wash their face daily but not their bodies
While I like to shower daily because of my naturally oily skin and thin hair, I quickly learned that giving a newborn a bath every single day is a little too harsh on their sensitive skin. My little one had dry patches coming in that only lots of lotion and oil could soothe. Gently wash your little one’s face daily with warm water, but try to limit full-body baths to a few times a week. Certainly, wash them when they get dirty—I know firsthand the struggles of the frequent projectile vomiter baby!
Clean their ears
Admittedly, I even forget to clean my own ears thoroughly enough sometimes, which is why it should come as no surprise that I also often forgot to give my baby’s a good scrubbing. Behind the ears of an infant—and a grown-up, for that matter—can be a great place for bacteria and dirt to hang out and fester, which can cause acne and discomfort that your baby can’t yet explain to you. Learn the dos and don’ts of cleaning your baby’s ears, or ask your pediatrician for more information.
Use mild detergent and avoid fabric softeners on your baby’s clothes
While keeping your baby in fresh, clean clothes contributes to their overall hygiene and helps to keep their skin clean longer, using a regular detergent can irritate their gentle skin. Babies have extremely sensitive skin, and you should take special precautions, such as avoiding harsh chemicals and smells until you know how their skin reacts. While still in the newborn stage, try to avoid using fabric softeners or regular laundry soap on loads of laundry with their clothing in them. Ask your pediatrician for recommendations if you have trouble finding a detergent that doesn’t irritate your child’s skin.
