A baby brings happiness to the family; however, taking care of the little one can be challenging. Babies and newborns have a weak immune system and cannot take care of themselves. They love putting things in the mouth, which makes them vulnerable to diseases and infections. Hygiene is one of the most important matters for human beings, especially babies. Infants have weaker immune systems compared to adults; this is why they often fall ill.

However, you can reduce and prevent your baby’s exposure to germs by following a few guidelines.

Healthy Hygiene Habits to Follow

1. Hand Washing

Hand washing is the easiest way to keep bacteria at bay. Hand hygiene for kids must be maintained before eating, after visiting the bathroom, and after playing outside. Also, ensure that you and anyone who handles your baby wash their hands before holding the infant.

Check whether everybody washes their hands with running water and soap for at least 20 seconds while focusing on fingertips and between the fingers. Kids hygiene also includes washing your hands before breastfeeding, after changing diapers, before preparing formula milk, after touching contaminated surfaces, and whenever your hands look dirty.

Your hands must be dry before handling the baby’s toys and food, especially if you have the flu. Don’t touch the toddler with cold hands if you used cold water, but warm water is preferable.

2. Personal Hygiene for Kids

Maintaining personal hygiene for babies is easy because newborns only require bathing 2 times a week at most. Overdoing this dries out the baby’s skin. One of the essential kids hygiene tips for kids you ought to remember is that you should wash the newborn with a sponge. Don’t place your tot in water until his/her umbilical cord has fallen.

When buying a hygiene kit for kids, ensure that the soap is gentle for the young skin. You should always wash your baby’s face with plain water. Baby washcloths come in handy when cleaning the infant’s eyes. Always take clean parts for each eye.

When cleaning the ears and nose, touch only the surface and do not use a cotton swab. Wash the rest of the infant’s baby using a mild soap. Perfumed soaps smell nice but avoid them as they might irritate the skin. Rinse out the child with warm water.

3. Dental Kids Hygiene

Most parents don’t realize that dental hygiene for kids should begin even before the first tooth grows. Do you know that your baby’s teeth develop even before he/she is born? Most babies’ teeth start to appear around 6 months; however, it is different for each toddler.

Most babies cry a lot when they are teething. You can give yours a teething ring or a dummy. Some people use teething gels, but these can have harmful side-effects. Dental hygiene for kids should be followed as early as possible.

You can gently wipe your baby’s gums with a damp gauze or face cloth; you can do this several times a day. This will prepare your child to take care of the teeth when they arrive. When the first ones appear, you can start brushing them gently twice a day. Use a brush meant for babies under 2 years, but if the child feels uncomfortable, continue with the cloth. Do not use salt or toothpaste to brush your kid’s teeth. Use only water until the tot is 18 months or until the dentist recommends otherwise. You can also make up hygiene games for kids where you reward them for observing hygiene rules.

4. Laundry

Washing the baby’s items and clothing separately is advisable because infants can easily catch diseases, rashes, and other skin infections. Choose mild soaps with fewer chemicals to prevent irritation. Avoid softeners because the fragrance and dyes can also irritate the skin.

Always wash new clothes before dressing your baby; this eliminates impurities and germs before coming into contact with the baby’s delicate skin. New clothes might look clean or might have never been worn, but it doesn’t mean they can’t harbor germs.

Separate the whites and other colors. Remove soiling like food and poo under a tap or with a cloth. Soak garments with tough stains and wash later. If you decide to use bleach, ensure that you wash and rinse the clothes thoroughly.

To make laundry easier, choose clothes that are easy to deal with like cotton. It is not only soft but is also breathable and prevents sweating. Avoid apparel that is difficult to wash or has small parts that can be swallowed by the baby.

5. Cleaning Surfaces

Having a newborn can make everything in your house look dirty. However, before you start cleaning every surface, you should make a hygiene chart for kids and decide how to clean your house. Harsh chemicals and detergents might add a sparkle to your apartment; however, they have drawbacks. For instance, they can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and baby’s airways.

There are many alternatives to keeping your home clean and child healthy. Choose environmental-friendly and less caustic cleaning detergents. Look for phosphate-free, green, biodegradable, and other non-toxic terms.

Conclusion

A newborn at home can bring about a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Apart from feeding, you ought to maintain proper hygiene around your baby. It is quite easy to keep everything tidy; just take it easy.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced while maintaining your kids hygiene? Please leave a comment.

Author’s Bio

Rachel Burns is an experienced copywriter and photographer with a design diploma. She works with startups, entrepreneurs, bloggers and companies from around the world. In addition to writing articles and promotional materials, she enjoys hiking, reading, cooking and spending time with her family.