For newborn babies, their hands often move randomly and without coordination. As a result, long fingernails can scratch their own faces. Additionally, babies around one month old start to put their hands in their mouths, and if their fingernails are dirty, they can introduce bacteria into their bodies and cause illnesses.
(1) Cleaning and caring for the eyes, ears, and nose
① Cleaning the eyes: Babies should have a dedicated washcloth for their faces, and the eyes should be cleaned first during each face wash. If there is excessive eye discharge, a cotton ball dipped in warm water can be gently wiped from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye.
② Removing nasal crusts: If there is nasal discharge that has dried and formed crusts, which can affect breathing, a cotton ball or cloth dipped in clean warm water can be gently wiped to moisten the crusts and they will naturally come out.
③ Cleaning the earlobes: The outer ear can be cleaned with a moist cotton swab, but it should not be inserted into the ear canal. Care should be taken not to let water enter the ear canal. If there are cracks in the earlobes, cooking oil or 1% gentian violet can be applied.
(2) Caring for the umbilical cord
Newborns generally have their umbilical cord stump fall off within 3-7 days after birth. After it falls off, the area should be kept clean. If the area remains moist and has a small amount of discharge, it is considered normal. 75% alcohol can be applied once or twice a day from the inside to the outside to keep the area clean and dry. 1% gentian violet can also be applied, but do not use anti-inflammatory powders. If there is purulent discharge with an odor and redness around the umbilical cord, it indicates inflammation and medical attention from a surgical department is needed.
(3) Trimming the nails
Newborn babies often move their hands randomly and without coordination, so long fingernails can scratch their own faces. Additionally, babies around one month old start putting their hands in their mouths, and if their fingernails are dirty, they can introduce bacteria into their bodies and cause illnesses.
Trimming a baby's nails is generally not difficult. The nails of babies usually curve inward, which can cause concern for mothers. However, using thin-bladed scissors to trim the nails is not difficult. The toenails of babies often rub against bedding and socks, making them prone to splitting. Therefore, it is important to regularly trim the fingernails and toenails of babies. Baby nails are small and delicate, so care must be taken not to cut them too deeply in order to protect their fingers and avoid causing pain. It is safer to trim the nails when the baby is asleep or during breastfeeding.
