Baby Basics and Hygiene

After that traumatic experience last year, I am determined to keep my baby safer which means, making sure everything is sterile, clean and baby-proof. One thing I'm very meticulous about is hygiene that's why I have decided to write this post and teach you the things I know.

I'm no expert but I'm a mother and I guess, for the past six months, my mother's instinct is growing stronger. And of course, with the help of my mom and mother-in-law, I have all the basics perfected like a pro. Okay, let's start the course:

How to trim your baby's nails

A baby's fingernails can grow so fast you may have to cut them several times a week. Toenails require less frequent trimming but make sure you keep an eye on those toesies especially when your baby's in his foot sucking stage.

The best time to do this is while he's sleeping. (You may want to leave nail utensils in the car so you can do the job while your baby's asleep in his car seat.) Another good time is right after a bath, when your baby's nails are at their softest.

Make sure you have enough light to see what you're doing. Use a pair of baby scissors or clippers made especially for the purpose. Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking the skin, and keep a firm hold on your baby's hand as you clip.

Cut fingernails along the curve of the finger. Cut toenails straight across. Then use an emery board to smooth out any rough edges. In fact, if you're patient and your baby's nails aren't too long, you can skip clipping them altogether and simply file them to the right length with an emery board.

Safety First Baby Nail Cutter

Doing it while Zeke's dozing off

In the harrowing event that you do nick a tiny fingertip, don't be too hard on yourself — it happens to lots of parents. Simply wrap a tissue around your baby's finger and hold it with a little pressure. The bleeding usually stops within a couple of minutes.

Resist the temptation to try to put a bandage on your baby's finger. It's likely to come off when he puts his finger in his mouth, and he could end up choking on it.


How to clean your baby's ears

Never insert a cotton swab or anything else into your baby's ear canal; you could easily puncture the eardrum that way. Earwax (cerumem) is nature's protection for the ear canal, and there's usually no reason to try to get it out of your baby's ears.

If you're concerned about a buildup of earwax, ask your baby's doctor about it. If there's so much wax that the doctor can't see the eardrum (which she'll need to do when checking for an ear infection), she'll remove it. Otherwise, it will come out on its own eventually, and sticking a cotton swab in there is likely to push it in farther.

Instead, simply clean the outer part of your baby's ears with a cotton swab moistened with oil or peroxide, or a washcloth moistened with warm water.

My best buds when cleaning Zeke's ears

Just the outer area, NEVER the inside!

So far, I've already tackled the basics such as diapering and bathing. I guess on my next post, I'll show you how to prepare solid foods. Zeke's about to start on pureed fruits this week and that will be the best time to show you how to make your own baby food.