Avoid using most baby products.
WebMD advises parents to keep their newborns away from harsh powders and shampoos to protect their delicate skin and immune systems.
There is a right and a wrong time for infant massage.
Gagazine’s article on infant massage explains how the time just after a bath or diaper change is perfect for a little touch therapy. Try to avoid touch therapy when the baby appears hungry or cranky.
Be gentle when cleaning nipples.
When breastfeeding an infant, Medline Plus recommends that mothers prevent drying and cracking nipples by avoiding soaps and drying with harsh cloths or motions. Uncomfortable nipples negatively affect both mother and child.
Cleanse baby acne with water.
As a residual of connecting with his or her mother’s hormones, some newborns break out into small acne patches. Avoid using oils or lotions that can irritate it further, but very mild, all-natural soaps may work in more severe cases.
Wash cloth diapers with baking soda and rinse them with vinegar.
Avoid using harsh detergents when cleaning cloth diapers, even those without artificial dyes or fragrances. A wash in baking soda and a rinse in vinegar should suffice.
Wash newborn eyes with water.
Normal tear duct issues need to be discussed with a pediatrician, but parents needing to clean their newborn’s eyes can do so by simply wetting a soft cotton ball and gently scrubbing the gunk away.
Use steam to unblock nasal passages.
While professional medical care may be needed in instances of severe illness, parents can alleviate some cold symptoms at home. Congestion, for example, can be cleared up using the steam from a hot shower.
Make newborns sleep on their backs.
One preventative measure against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) involves having newborns sleep on their backs rather than their stomachs. They may feel less comfortable, but it helps bolster their chances of surviving the night.
Wash clothes thoroughly.
Another WebMD tip, this time touting the importance of washing baby clothes in dye- and fragrance-free detergent before dressing infants.
Protect nipples with milk or lanolin.
To prevent painful cracking, Medline Plus recommends leaving a little bit of milk on the nipple after feeding to keep the area moist. Alternately, cracking can also be avoided by applying 100% lanolin to the nipple. Never use any artificial chemicals near the area where an infant feeds.
Use natural cleaning products around the home.
For added protection against contact with harsh chemicals that can make a newborn ill, take advantage of the disinfectant properties of natural substances such as vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda.
Clean the umbilical cord with water and a Q-Tip.
Be sure to use a Q-Tip wetted with clean - even sterile - water to keep the umbilical cord free of bacteria. Alcohol, honey, and goldenseal powder work as well.
Make homemade nasal drops.
Combine saline and water together for nose drops suitable for safe cleaning of a newborn’s clogged nasal passages.
Extra water works as a laxative.
As an alternative to glycerin laxatives, consider feeding a newborn a little extra water to unbind the constipation.
Bathe conservatively.
WebMD recommends that newborns receive a gentle sponge bath 2 to 3 times a week, as washing them too much compromises the health of their skin. Use either no soap or extremely mild, natural soap to prevent any dermal irritations.
Avoid “baby bottle tooth decay.”
Breast milk makes for one of the healthiest, most natural ways to keep a newborn healthy and strong, but blending it with foods and drinks pumped full of refined sugar actually expatiates the process of tooth decay.
Know how to properly store soiled cloth diapers.
Become familiar with the wet pail and dry pail methods of containing the odor and bacteria associated with cloth diapers. Wet pails must be contentiously kept covered in order to prevent drowning.
Keep the crib nearby - even at night.
The American SIDS Institute recommends parents allow their newborn’s crib to remain in their room for the first 6 months of life, as dong so greatly reduces the risk of suffering the condition.
A little sunlight can clear up jaundice.
A little extra bilirubin is normal in newborn infants, and a bit of time in the sunlight - no more than 10 minutes, with 5 minutes each in the front and the back - can clear up any jaundice that may crop up. Of course, a physician should be consulted if it doesn’t clear.
Use warm compresses on ingrown nails.
While ingrown nails may grow severe enough to warrant medical attention, mild cases may be relieved using very warm compresses that alleviate a newborn’s pain.
Stick with soft clothing.
According to WebMD, dressing children in clothes cut from coarser materials heightens the risk of eczema, rashes, and other uncomfortable skin conditions. Organic cotton, bamboo, ore hemp are all extremely appropriate choices.
Formula feeding tricks the body.
Medline Plus recommends that women whose breast milk supplies start to run low fight the temptation to supplement a baby’s diet with formula. Doing so, especially when the newborn begins to experience a growth spurt, only forces the body to think that it is producing enough milk and will cease to bolster the supply.
Make homemade cloth wipes.
Making gentle wipes at home with a combination of water, tea tree oil, and Dr. Bronner’s organic, natural soap (or similar substitutesaves money and leaves baby’s skin feeling smooth and clean. However, avoid using oils and soaps on especially sensitive, acne-prone newborns.
Moisturize, if needed.
Should a newborn’s skin begin to dry out and crack, parents may want to moisturize the irritated areas with olive or almond oil applied very gently using a cotton ball.
Know when to trim nails.
In order to prevent a newborn from scratching and potentially causing self-injury, clip his or her fingernails once a week and toenails once a month. Try doing so after a bath when the keratin is more malleable, though some opt for when the infant naps to prevent fussiness and fidgeting.
Know how to trim nails.
When clipping a newborn’s nails, be sure to use special trimmers or scissors to prevent any unfortunate injuries. Cut along the natural lines when it comes to fingernails, but go straight across when doing the toes. On both, make a contentious effort to push down the pads of skin away from the nail to further reduce the risk of an accidental cutting.
Never clean the inside of a newborn’s ear canal.
Parents may clear wax away on the outside of a newborn’s ear using extremely gentle swabs with a Q-Tip. Sticking it inside the baby’s ear canal, however, runs the risk of causing permanent hearing loss. Pediatricians will be able to give more information on removing internal excess wax without exacting any damages.
Make homemade baby shampoo.
For instances when water may just not be enough, parents may want to whip up a batch of this all-natural baby shampoo to scrub out the germs without causing skin issues.
Use natural insect repellent.
Many companies sell products that repel mosquitoes and other pests without the use of harsh chemical blends that will irritate a newborn’s skin. Seek these out - they usually contain eucalyptus and lemon and often come formulated especially for people under 12 months.
Pat dry - don’t rub.
When changing diapers, WebMD thinks that parents need to spritz their newborns with clean water and pat dry rather than rub to keep skin from becoming too irritated.
