Comments on: Some infant care questions from a 40week pregnant new mom?

By: lou

lou — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

1. Yes, that is how you do it. I like to wrap the baby in a towel and then do part by part so that the baby doesn’t get cold.

2. I think it is a good idea to use ointment every change to avoid getting a bad rash. I also think it is good to avoid the wipes, in the beginning at least, because they can irritate the baby skin. I usually use cotton with water and then pat dry the area. For messy diapers I wash with baby soap.

3. They say the baby should wear a layer more than you. But if you don’t have ac at home and it is hot than I believe just an onsie should be fine. Be ready to change clothes often because babies tend to get their clothes dirty frequently by spiting up, leaking diapers, etc.

4.Yes you can. But do not use fabric softener.

5. You can put the baby on his tummy even before he is able to hold his head, this will help him. But he probably won’t like and take it for a very short time in the beginning and yes, you should stay by his side.

6. All depends on the size of your baby.

These might be helpful:
http://www.webmd.com/baby/babys-diaper-rash
http://www.ehow.com/how_2516_give-baby-sponge.html

By: buterfly_2_lovely

buterfly_2_lovely — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

I didn’t bathe my son at all until after the cord fell off, but a baby wipe or damp wascloth is good.

Only use diaper ointment if there is a problem. Put it wherever the rash is.

Diaper-only is fine too!

I don’t use any laundry detergent on baby clothes. I pre-treat any milk and poo stain with Spray & Wash.

Tummy time is OK, but on a firm surface. Turn his head to the side and supervise. My son had lots of tummy time from day 1. He rolled over at 12 days old!

My son was 7lb 2 oz. He is about 3 mo old now and still in size 1. We’re goin on 200 diapers now. About 6 per day.

Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care is really great. I read it while I was pregnant (got it from the library) and bought a copy today at a thrift sale.

By: Destiny

Destiny — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

1. Yes you can use a washcloth, you just can’t submerge the baby in water and avoid getting the cord wet.
2. You put it on the butt when they have diaper rash. You could try powder to help prevent it.
3. Newborns like to be swadled, it makes them feel safe. If it is very hot you can put him in a onsie.
4. You can wash them together using either drift or another dye free detergent. If the clothes are really soiled then I wouldn’t.
5. At a couple of months he should be able to have some tummy time. Each baby is different and is ready at a different ime.
6. They don’t last long.

By: mominohio

mominohio — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

1. Yes you can use the washcloth and you can do soap first then rinse off by a clean wet washcloth. Until the cord falls off it is best to just wash down with a washcloth making sure not to get the cord wet. It won’t take long for the cord to fall off.

2. Don’t put ointment on every change, it isn’t a preventative kinda of thing but instead for when there are signs of an actual rash. The body can get use to it and then it won’t help with an actual rash. Also note that most rashes are actually yeast infections and can’t be helped with diaper rash ointment but instead the same stuff we use for yeast infections or guys use for jock itch. You put the ointment over the rash where ever it is and yes it can spread to the penis.

3. Yes onsies are a wonderful thing. My first son was born in the summer and he couldn’t handle having clothes on and the Dr said that onsies are great for hot weather just change it if it gets wet (with formula,milk, sweat….). I even used mostly onsies for the first 3 months with my winter baby because we rarely left the house and the heat in the apartment made him hot and he hated the clothes.

4. You can wash the clothes together just don’t wash your towels, bras or underware with you babies clothes or washclothes with the baby’s clothes.

5. The supervised tummytime is what helps strengthen their necks to increase the holding up of the head. From day 1 you can do supervised tummytime for short periods of time. you may also notice even within a couple of days that while you are holding your baby he will try to lift his head.

6. For me I used the Newborn diapers for less than a month just because they were so expensive and not necessary after the cord was gone. The size 1 worked for I think up to 3 months on my boys then they started getting to a leaky point so I moved up to a size 2. It depends on if you have a skinny baby or a chubby baby. Also depends on the brand since brands sizes vary a little.

By: cassmeister426

cassmeister426 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

1. I used the Johnson and Johnson washcloths. Add water and they soap up for you, then I rinsed with a clean washcloth.
2. I used to apply oitment at every changing for preventative measures, but stopped and use baby powder to remove any excess moisture. Had a girl, so unsure where to apply on a boy.
3. I’m in a warm cliamte, onsies are fine. You’ll be able to tell if your little one is too cold or too hot.
4. I’ve combined our laundry since day one. Any free and clear detergent is fine. Dreft is so expensive, I use All, have fine results.
5. Mine was holding her head up by herself after about 5 weeks. You don’t have to wait for that for tummy time.
6. the newborn size lasted about a month. my daughter was 7lbs 12 3/4 oz when born- birth weight will dictate how long that size will last. went through maybe 5 or 6 a day at first.

By: Umma K

Umma K — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

1. What I did was get all my supplies together first: the small wash cloth, a little bowl of warm watter, mild baby soap, a towel and whatever else you choose to use. Then, I’d turn off the AC and the fan. I’d lie my daughter on the bed and undress her. Then, just add a SMALL drop of soap to the water (or not), and wet your wash cloth. Wring it out very well so that it’s barely wet. Then, start from the bottom and work your way up. Wipe between her toes, her feet, up her little legs, etc. As you move up, keep the part you just washed dry and warm by covering her with a towel.
I chose to use my bed because it’s much easier and much safer than using a sink or changing table.

2. I don’t have a boy, but I’d assume putting a little on his penis too since it is exposed to urine.

3. I leave my 7 month old in a onesie for most of the day. We live in Florida, and it’s entirely too hot to be wearing cutesie baby clothes. At night, however, you might want to dress him in a footed sleeper since it’s unsafe to put blankets on him. That will keep him warm without blankets.

4. I would wash them separately for a while. Your clothes have been washed in regular detergent before, so you never know what will irritate a newborns skin.

5. It takes a few months before they can hold their heads up alone. Wait until then before placing him on his stomach because, otherwise, he’ll just be face down on the carpet/blanket/bed, which can be unsafe. When he starts to develop a little more neck control (2-3 months), you can place him on his stomach in order to encourage neck muscle development, but I wouldn’t do it before then.

6. Lol, my daughter was 8 lbs when she was born, so they lasted about 2 weeks. Maybe less. They grow SO quickly in the first month that buying more than a pack or 2 of newborn diapers will be a waste.

GOOD LUCK!

By: nicholebeth

nicholebeth — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

1. A sponge bath is fine! Use a liquid baby bath soap, like Johnson & Johnson’s, and be sure to rinse and apply lotion to prevent dry skin.

2. I don’t think ointment is necessary unless there is a rash. Just be sure to check the diapers frequently so a rash doesn’t happen (or get so severe, because rashes WILL happen!).

3. Dress him in as many layers as it takes for you to be comfortable. Remember that babies can’t maintain their body heat as efficiently as adults can, so perhaps some light-weight pajamas would be a good thing, especially if you have air conditioning.

4. I washed our clothes separate because I liked the scent and feel of my regular detergent and fabric softener for my own clothes. You will always have dirty baby clothes/sheets/blankets, so will likely not have to wash a half-load often.

5. The first few weeks will be spent sleeping and eating (with a little bit of awake time), and you don’t need to worry about exercising him just yet. Take your cues from him. You’ll be able to tell when he is itching to start moving around on his own. Also, don’t make him "stand up" or hold any weight on his legs while he’s a newborn. Their legs aren’t strong enough, and in some instances it can cause problems for their growing bones.

6. My son was huge, but my daughter was small. It depends on the baby’s weight. The diaper packages give a weight range, so go by that. If I remember right, about a month.

You sound like you’re doing great! Congratulations in advance, and I’m sure you’ll do well with your new son! Enjoy this time – they grow in a flash!

By: janieluna

janieluna — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

To clean the baby, use a soft washcloth or cotton balls, a tiny bit of baby bath then rise with a clean one. Make sure to get around his neck—always a bad spot. Wash his bum last so you don’t spread germs.

I mostly used powder—sprinkle on the diaper, not the baby. Use cream in the evening when baby starts to sleep through the night. I put it on butt and scrotum but not really penis unless it was red.

I put my kids in a onsie and then swadled with a light blanket for sleep. It should be fine in the day as long as he is not too near a fan or AC. I heard somewhere they should be dressed just slightly warmer than you.

I’d wash the clothes separate for a few months just to be on the safe side.

I can’t remember exactly when they can lift head, but I’d wait until then for tummy time. In the summer, my babies would lay on their dad’s naked belly for “tummy time”. It gives dad some good bonding time.

Diapers depend on the size your baby starts out. Mine were small, but I would imagine most babies are only a few weeks in N and a few months in 1. 1 is cheaper than N, so move to it as soon as you can. I never used many 2—mostly went from 1 to 3. Newborns go through a ton of diapers. I would say at least 8 each day. That number lowers when they are a few months old.

By: hot_mom_in_socal

hot_mom_in_socal — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

I’m going to preface this by saying I didn’t read the other answers so forgive me if I repeat.
1. spongebath, use a washcloth dipped in warm soapy water and then rinse it and wipe clean.
2.Depends on the baby but my 2 boys never needed ointment on the penis itself.
3.YES! If you are hot, so are they.
4.yes unless you have really dirty clothes.
5. Again, depends on the baby, I have 3 and they all had thier heads up by a few weeks but "normal" has a big range.
6.once more depends on the baby. One of mine was out of 1’s at like 4 weeks but another not until 3 months. When the poop leaks go to the next size up!

Good luck and go with your insincts. I was a young (19) mom with my 1st but my 3rd…I’m 33. You learn with your baby and if you ever want to talk or ask a question, message me! Have fun!;)

By: babysisterchrissy

babysisterchrissy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:08:07 +0000

1. No need to use soap, babies dont really get dirty. Wrap him in a towel, sponge off his upper body, wrap it back up, sponge his lower body, wrap it up, sponge ihis head and towel dry.

2. No need to use it at every change, but if you do then apply it to the bottom, testes and penis, as well as the front pubic area.

3. A onesie should be fine, but maybe a light cotton sleeper at night, babies don’t regualte temperature as well as adults

4. Skip the dreft, wash your clothes and his in unscented detergent, its cheaper then dreft, and some babies are allergic to the fragrance in it (my son was, had to re-wsh everyting after he was born!!)

5. Babies can hold thier heads up right away, but its not easy for them. By 4 weeks or so start tummy time, a few minutes a day, and increase it as he gets older. Let him lay on his back and sides as well, so he gets stimulation form all angles and even pressure on his skull

6. My son was out of size one by 6-7 weeks. Only wore N for the first 2 weeks, then he started getting big!!!

Good luck!!