New mothers experience a unique range of emotions. Firstly, they are exhausted after a long nine months of carrying the baby and then finally giving birth. Secondly, they're thrilled and so proud of their new baby. Thirdly, they're stressed-out, wondering if they're doing everything they can to make sure their baby is healthy.
Generally, during pregnancy, the woman will take a class or two, and one of the things that is taught in the class is skin care. When a baby is first born, the skin is extremely fragile, and sensitive to light. After all, the baby hasn't actually seen light up until now!
Skin care begins immediately after the baby is born. The afterbirth will need to be washed off of the skin, and the baby will needed to be swaddled in a blanket. Some babies are born with jaundice, which is a condition in which the skin appears yellow. To cure this, the baby is put under heat lamps until the skin gets a healthy color.
Ideally, as a form of skin care, newborn babies should wear long sleeves and pants most of the time, until they are at least a few months old. This way, the skin is protected against sunlight, and irritants from the surroundings (like a wool sweater that someone holding the baby might be wearing).
Then, of course, the baby will need to be protected against getting diaper rash. This is among the most important skin care components for new babies, because if care isn't taken to prevent against diaper rash, infection can set in.
Diaper rash generally occurs when the diaper isn't frequently changed and the baby has to sit in its own waster for long periods of time. Not only is this disgusting, but it's also a form of parental negligence. As a rule, the diaper should be checked once an hour. The wipes that are used should be gentle, and not too moist; if a diaper is immediately put on after the area is wiped, then that moisture can also cause a diaper rash.
Another component of keeping the skin healthy is giving the newborn a bath. Generally speaking, it is advised that a newborn begins to be bathed two or so weeks after its birth, to allow the skin to first adjust to its overall surroundings, let alone water! There are many different kinds of baby soap, but it is important to choose a brand that has a tear-free solution, so that those little eyes aren't irritated. Additionally, with newborn it is important to use only lukewarm water, as well as a soft wash cloth.
Have you ever wondered why some newborn babies have little "mittens" over their hands? That is because babies have a tendency to scratch themselves if their hands are left unexposed. Most parents won't risk clipping the baby's nails in those early weeks because the fingers are so tiny. So, it is up to the parents to make sure that the skin is well-protected, clean, and free of scratches. It is just one of the many important responsibilities of being a parent.
