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When your baby is born, you are over the moon. In spite of your weariness and exhaustion, you can’t seem to stop gushing about your little bundle of joy.
But your little baby is totally new to the world, out of the safe cocoon of your womb. And that is why it is exposed to so many irritants and infections.
So how do you protect your little one? The answer is – by following optimum levels of hygiene in the environment around the baby. The initial few months are very important because they mark the phase of adjusting to the new circumstances when its immunity has only begun to grow and develop. Exposing to newer people, climate or places may not be a good idea because their tiny bodies can be very vulnerable.
If you are wondering what steps you can take to protect your baby, here we give you some hygiene rules that are essential to keep your baby safe and illnesses at bay.
1. Practicing hand hygiene
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We carry many germs on our hands, touching innumerable surfaces and things that are enough to make a small baby very sick. It is important to clean our hands properly so that we don’t pass any infection-causing bacteria to the little one.
The correct way is to put your hand under running water and wash it for a minimum of 20 seconds. Also rub the fingers, nails and the back of your hands which are often ignored. Keep in mind not to touch the faucet with your fingers. Use a clean tissue or use your elbow to close the tap.
2. Be cautious with the pets
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Your baby and your pet- both are centers of your affection, but it might not be a good idea keeping them together; at least till the baby grows a few months old. Pets may carry unknown bacteria or viruses that can be detrimental to the delicate immune system of the baby. Though their mouths are considered clean, they do sometimes lick other humans, animals, feces or food scraps. Also, their paw nails may accidentally scratch your little ones. This is not hygienic and can jeopardize your baby’s safety.
3. Proper sanitisation
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Feeding bottles or other equipment like pumps and storage containers should be properly washed, sterilized and sanitized. Bacteria and viruses grow very fast on milk -whether breast milk or formula milk. So it is important to keep them clean and fresh for the next use. Never wait till the next feeding cycle is nearing, rather clean them as soon as one feeding is over. Otherwise, germs will only multiply sitting on that used milk bottle, with your baby’s saliva mixed with the feed. If proper hygiene is not maintained, it can lead to diarrhea, vomits and resultant dehydration in babies.
4. Too many visitors
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We agree that people would just love to visit you to offer their wishes, but it might not be ideal for your baby. The more the visitors knocking at your door, the higher are the chances of catching infections. The bugs can come from their hands, footwear, flowers, anywhere. So, it is better to take a few weeks for your baby to adjust and build some immunity before you welcome the visitors home. Also, make a polite request to wash and sanitize their hands in case they are touching the baby.
5. Tampering with the umbilical cord
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After your baby has come home, there might be a tiny bit of umbilical cord held by a clip still stuck to its body. Don’t try to touch or pull it off. It is a sensitive piece of skin that will dry and detach on its own. By tampering with it, you could be inviting problems.
6. Keeping the nursery clean
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As the babies start growing, they want to put everything in their mouth. So, the room should be free of dirt, dust, mites or any other germs that may cause ill-health. However, avoid using harsh chemicals or detergents that may be harmful to the baby’s body or skin. Dusting and wiping with vinegar solution is a good option.
These were some ways by which you can ensure that your baby’s surroundings are clean and safe. Follow these suggestions to keep any hygiene related diseases or infections away and let your baby grow happy, healthy and cheerful.
