You leave the hospital with your newborn, baby supplies, and exhaustion – it can certainly be daunting. And now what happens? Welcome to the wonderful world of baby grooming. Your little one is perfect in every way, and there’s newborn care that’s needed to keep them healthy and comfortable so they stay that way. Here are some baby grooming essentials you might not have thought about:
Nails
Trimming your baby’s nails is best described as a baby wrestling match. Trimming baby’s nails requires skill, patience, and the right tools - try our Light Zoom Nail Clipper. Some parents prefer to file their baby’s nails until they’re a little older. Either way, avoid biting their nails, as it can spread bacteria or break the skin. It’s important to keep baby’s nails short to prevent accidental scratching – on your little one's precious skin–or yours.
Skin
Babies are the mini kings and queens of soft skin – as smooth as a baby’s bottom, anyone? – but we all need a helping hand every once and a while. Lotion up your LO’s skin to prevent dryness and cracking. Applying lotion right after bath time helps lock in moisture and creates a barrier against the harsh, dry air. You can also invest in a humidifier for the nursery, which adds moisture to the air and your baby's delicate skin. And speaking of skin, it’s common if your newborn develops acne on their face - don’t worry, treating baby acne is simple and easy.
Bath Time
When your LO is still an infant, they only need to be bathed 2-3 times a week – their skin is really dry as a newborn, so limiting washtime helps protect it. When you first bring your baby home from the hospital, your newborn won’t be ready to enjoy bath time in a tub. Sponge baths are in order until the umbilical cord stump falls off, which is typically around two to three weeks after birth. After that, keep baby-friendly soap on hand and ensure the water is warm (not too hot and not too cold–all babies are like Goldilocks). If you’re worried about the sink or tub being too big for your tiny peanut, get an infant tub to make bath time way less complicated.
Ears
Earwax, we all have it – even babies. Much like our adult ears, your baby’s ear canals will clean themselves, so don’t put anything dangerous in your little one’s tiny ears. If your kid starts tugging on their ear or you think something is amiss, use an otoscope to quickly and safely see inside the ear and determine whether it’s time to call the doc.
Teeth
Before your baby’s teeth break through, keep the gums clean by wiping them with a damp cloth once a day. When your little one’s teeth start to come in, it’s time to start brushing. Buy a soft bristle toothbrush and use a pea-sized dollop of infant toothpaste. Get them used to the sensation of brushing a little at a time.
Nose
Boogers – nobody likes them, everybody’s got them. While for us grown-ups, it’s as simple as grabbing a tissue and blowing like a trumpet. Unfortunately, for our little angels, it's not as simple. If your little one is congested, you’ve got to do the hard work for them. Have a nasal aspirator on hand to suck out all the mucus and boogies. Congestion? Snot a worry anymore.
Hair
Whether your peanut comes out bald as their grandpa or with enough hair to braid, you’ll want to keep an eye out for cradle cap when they’re a newborn. Cradle cap causes oily and crusty patches to form on your baby’s head. Buy don’t worry – they aren’t painful or itchy, so your babe won’t be disturbed at all. Cradle cap will clear up within a few weeks or months, but you can use a cradle cap brush and some baby shampoo or oil to loosen the flakes and relieve symptoms.
OK, so caring for a newborn baby is a little more involved than you might have thought. If this sounds like a lot of stuff to buy, our infant health and grooming kits will prepare you for all types of care in one handy set. Happy baby grooming!