Cleanliness and hygiene for children

Children love to play in the dirt, romp around in puddles or bake delicious sand cakes in the sandbox. Parents are less pleased when their little ones are completely dirty, from top to bottom. But how dangerous is it for children to be exposed to dirt and grime while playing? It used to be said that "a lot helps a lot!", but is that really true? A certain amount of cleanliness must be natural, in excess just the hygiene in the environment can make sick.

Personal hygiene and baby care

While still in the hospital, your child already experiences the first care, namely the cleaning after the weaning. Either the pediatric nurse will show you how to care for the navel properly or your midwife will. There are different ways to keep the navel clean, so don't be upset if you get different advice. Usually, the navel falls off within the first seven days after birth. If something is wrong, contact your midwife or a pediatrician immediately.

What to basically keep in mind when caring for your baby.

An infant, even if you might think so, does not have such poor defenses, because during the first three months it can still enjoy the so-called nest protection (protection of the child against pathogens by maternal antibodies) through breastfeeding. During this time, your baby is still well protected against more harmless colds. Of course, a few things should still be observed, especially in the early days:

• only touch the baby with clean hands
• Treat skin injuries carefully
• Do not put baby near sick people
• Air the apartment/house often, as bacteria collect in warm rooms
• change baby's bedding regularly

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding, what hygiene should be observed?

The immune system of infants is not yet as strong as that of adults. They first have to get used to germs, which means that pathogens can settle in them more quickly.

If you are breastfeeding your child, you should make sure that you have

• use a sterile pump set and a sterile milk container. Cleaning can be done either in the dishwasher, but it is better to boil the equipment and containers or use a sterilizer
• wash hands before pumping.
  
  

If you are using bottled milk, make sure that you

• rinse the bottle and teat hot after each meal, provided for this purpose: Bottle brushes.
• Clean grooves in the teat properly.
• Boil the bottle and teat for five to ten minutes.
• put the cleaned things on a clean cloth and cover them with one as well.

How often should the baby bathe?

Bathing every day is not necessary and would also attack the protective layer of the skin too much, so daily washing and bathing once or twice a week is sufficient. Regular control of skin folds, can prevent the formation of wounds.

Ears, nose, nails & teeth - how are they cared for?

Under no circumstances should a cotton swab be used to clean baby's ears, as there is a risk of breaking the swab or damaging the eardrum. An alternative is to clean the auricle with either a damp or an oil-soaked cotton ball, otherwise the ears will clean themselves. :)

Also, under no circumstances should such a stick get into baby's nose, for this there is a special nasal aspirator to free the nose. Otherwise, as with the ears, the nose cleans itself, such as sneezing.

In the first four weeks after birth, you should not cut your baby's fingernails yet, and toenails only after a few months.

Your little one's first tooth already needs to be brushed. You can start the dental care with a damp cotton ball or a rag. Once your child has three to four teeth, you can go buy the first baby toothbrush. Make sure there is no food debris stuck between the teeth.

How often should an infant be swaddled?

Many babies often have sore bottoms, this is sometimes due to the fact that baby skin is generally very thin and delicate. This makes it susceptible to bacteria and fungi, which particularly like to settle and multiply in warm/humid regions. If you can, you can also let your baby romp naked, as fresh air prevents soreness and has a healing effect on a sore bottom. Certain foods also cause a sore bottom, pay attention to what your child has eaten. There should be an initial reaction within the first 24 to 36 hours. And of course, change diapers after every bowel movement and otherwise about every three to four hours.