quick clicks

iparenting canada articles

iparenting canada q&a

community & groups

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Back to Basics: Taking Care of Baby

Basic Care from Holding to Diapering

By Laurie Dove

Tiny babies sport even tinier eyes, ears and fingernails, each of which need a good cleaning once in a while. In the first few weeks, clean Baby's eyes during her sponge bath, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics. Use a cotton ball or a clean, warm, wet washcloth to gently wipe from the inside of the eye to the outside. Use a new cotton ball or washcloth for each eye.

As for the ears, most pediatricians advise new parents to never stick anything larger than an elbow in your child's ear. Steer clear of cotton swabs and never insert them into Baby's ear canal. To clean Baby's ear, simply use a thin washcloth.

The only care a baby's nails require is trimming. To do so, parents can use a soft emery board or baby nail clippers. Many parents find it easiest to trim fingernails when a baby is sleeping. By keeping Baby's fingernails short and smooth, he won't be able to scratch himself. In the early weeks, Baby's fingernails grow quickly and may need to be trimmed once or twice a week.

Before long, even the most inexperienced parents can diaper, burp and dress their little bundles like a pro. Some, like Shoemaker, are even convinced that inexperience can be a real asset, something that spurs new parents to become educated. "It hasn't mattered at all how inexperienced I was then," Shoemaker says. "I think having my son at an early age and learning with him is the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Want to see more?

• Baby Gear: What
• Talk about it!
• To Have and to Hold: Cradling and Loving Your Newborn
• Bathing Your Little Beauty: How to Give Your Newborn Baby a Bath

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.