| Health
& Wellness Center |
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Bathing
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Bathe
your baby about the same time of the day in a room that
has a comfortable temperature. It is best to have everything
ready before you start. Do not tub bathe the baby until
the umbilical cord has dried and come off. Avoid scalding
the baby by checking the temperature of the water. Wash
his face first with a mild soap and clear water, using a
soft cloth, then his head. Clean his nose with a cotton-tipped
applicator. Continue washing his body with mild soap and
water, then sponge him to rinse. There is no preference
for a particular brand of products for the baby’s care.
Baby products are not particularly different from other
products. Most products commonly used for the other members
of your family may be used for the baby. Do not use any
baby oil or baby powder. While these products are widely
touted for use, oil will clog the baby’s pores, and
the powder, when sprinkled, can be inhaled by the baby.
This inhalation of the talc substance is dangerous. Avoid
detergent or deodorant soaps. Babies are not always happy
about their baths when they are quite young. They are often
insecure and the time may be unpleasant for all concerned.
This will improve greatly when your baby is older and you
are more adept and comfortable.
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Umbilical
Cord Care
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Most
new mothers and fathers are afraid to assume the care of
the umbilical cord. It is widely thought that the care must
hurt. This is not true. Your baby may express dismay at
the procedure but this is related to all of the strange
things which are happening to him in this new life. Clean
the navel with a cotton-tipped applicator dipped in alcohol.
The alcohol will be cold on your baby’s skin and he
certainly won’t like it. Occasionally there is a small
amount of bleeding from the navel, with drainage when the
cord is starting to separate, and this blood tinged drainage
may continue once the cord has come off for a short time.
The umbilical cord may be soggy, particularly for boys,
who often get the cord wet with urine. Occasionally there
may be an odor. Most of this is normal and you need to increase
the number of times you are cleaning the cord. Don’t
be afraid to move the cord around and get the alcohol down
at the base of the cord, to clean adequately and facilitate
more rapid drying. If , at any time you feel concerned,
it is best to call and talk with your health care provider.
If drainage is persistent, call your health care provider.
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Circumcision
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Removal
of the foreskin at the end of the penis by circumcision
is not medically necessary. It is an individual choice.
If you elect, it may be done by your obstetrician or your
pediatrician. This area will remain sore and may bleed slightly
after the procedure. This should be treated with an application
of Vaseline with each diaper change. The area should be
kept clean and may be washed with soap and water as a regular
part of the baby’s bath. The remaining foreskin should
be gently retracted at each bathing time. You should be
shown how to do this by your health care provider or by
members of the hospital staff. It is normal to feel uncomfortable
about this procedure. If any redness, swelling, or pus develops
you should call your health care provider.
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Bowel
Movements
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baby may move his bowels frequently at first, probably after
each meal. Later, he may move his bowels once per day or less.
He may strain until his face is red, grunt, and seem to be
very uncomfortable while having a bowel movement. His stool
may be yellow and pasty or occasionally seedy. Occasionally
the color may be various shades of green or brown. This color
change does not have nay significance. If the stool becomes
hard or pellet-like, watery, or has blood in it, this may
be abnormal and you should call and discuss this with your
health care provider. As long as your baby is feeding well,
don’t worry about how often he is having a bowel movement.
Some babies may go several days without a bowel movement.
Breast fed babies usually have very loose, seedy yellow stools
after every feeding. However, they can also go several days
without having a stool, and some breast fed babies will have
one stool per week. |
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Urine
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should change a wet or dirty diaper promptly to avoid discomfort
during the day. At night, if the baby does not wake up because
of wet diapers, you need not change him until he does. It
is sometimes necessary to put two diapers on the baby at night
to absorb the excess urine. If redness or irritation of the
diaper area is noted, diapers may be left off during periods
of sleep to provide airing of that area. To protect the diaper
area from the irritation of urine and bowel movements when
diapers are worn, Vaseline, A&D Ointment, Desitin, or
similar products may be used to prevent irritation and/or
to promote healing. |
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Other
Changes
| Infants
may have hormones from the mother that have crossed the placenta
and will be retained by the baby for a short time after birth.
These hormones may cause boys and girls to have enlarged breasts
which contain a milk-like substance. For girls, in addition,
they may have a mucousy vaginal discharge which may be bloody
or blood tinged. This is normal and will resolve. |
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Diapers
| Cloth
diapers are always recommended first and various brands of
disposable diapers are on the market. If cloth diapers are
used, after a bowel movement rinse the dirty diaper in the
toilet to get as much of the soilage out as possible, and
then store it in a covered pail without rinsing. The pail
should be about one-fourth full of water. A deodorizer, water
softener, or baking soda may be added if desired. Washing
should be done in the hottest water available. A detergent
is recommended rather than a soap powder. Water softeners
will decrease the amount of detergent needed but must be used
in moderation as they will also decrease the absorbency of
the diapers. Then your usual rinsing procedure should be done
twice. Disposable diapers should always be discarded properly
as soon as they are taken off. |
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This
site is not meant to be a substitute for regular visits to your
Health Care Provider, nor should it take the place of their advice.
However, it is one other source of information for you and your
family. It is advised that you see your Health Care Provider for
the evaluation and treatment of illness. The links from this site
may contain information that is not in line with the teachings
of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad and His Followers, the members
of the Seventh Family of The Nation of Islam. Unnatural birth
control and abortion are never condoned.
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