Hygiene

Quick Links Bath and Beyond Washing Hands Fungal Infections Nails Hair Care Food Hygiene Some tips to keep infections at bay Nappies

Children's bodies are growing. If babies get sick, it may be harder for them to get well because their immune systems are still developing.

Parents, caregivers and peers can influence the way in which children approach personal hygiene, which will stay with them for life. When in the formative years, it is the parent's responsibility to teach the ways of correct hygiene and also to practice good hygiene.

BATH AND BEYOND

You should give your baby a sponge bath until the:

Get your baby into the habit of bathing regularly at a particular time of the day. Close the door and the windows to the bathroom while you are giving a bath. Avoid late-evening or night baths. Late morning baths are the best as your baby will get enough time to warm up during the day even if the weather outside is cold.

You'll need the following items before bathing your baby:

How to give a sponge bath?

Ready to bathe your baby in a tub?

While bathing your infant, never leave the baby alone. If you need to leave the bathroom, wrap the baby in a towel and take him or her with you.

There is no harm if a baby enjoys bathing for elongated periods of time, other than checking if they are developing a cough and cold.

No, ma! I won't take a bath!

As the infant enters childhood, parents may face the challenge of making the child take a bath. What is the solution? Here are a few easy tips:

Use all of these ideas or use one or use them in conjunction with an idea of your own. Children need an explanation about why they should take a bath. Nobody likes to do something when they don't understand the reasoning behind it. So, start sharing with other parents on ways they use to get their children to bathe.

: for baby and care-givers

Washing hands

Hand washing is an important factor that can stop the spread of infection, not just for children but for adults of all ages. Washing hands is essential to avoid developing threadworms which cause itching around the anus and genitals, and are contracted from poor toilet hygiene or from animals. Children should be encouraged to wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet, after handling animals, if they are ill or if they are spending time with a newborn.

Make sure that your baby's palm is not moist and dirty from dust and perspiration. Parents may often find that there is a sticky mass along the lines of the palm as the fist is unfolded. As the baby sucks its fingers, it is anybody's guess what happens.

Fungal Infections

Athlete's foot, ringworms and fungal infections are also less likely to spread if correct hand washing and drying is achieved. Children should be taught how to wash their hands, especially between the fingers and under the nails; using a nail brush, if needed. Children should understand the importance of these actions also, as well as using an individual towel if they have an infectious complaint.

Nails

Nail biting should be discouraged, particularly if the nails are being swallowed. The nails and nail beds offer a perfect environment for germs to live and breed. Nail biting permits the transfer of these germs to the mouth which leads to the digestive tract causing many problems. An incidence of diarrhoea can badly affect a child and they can become quite ill from electrolyte imbalance and dehydration; this can happen very quickly in young children. Even if correct hand washing takes place, there will continue to be some germs under and around the nail, if left they will not normally cause any harm, but transfer to the mouth can induce problems. Keeping nails short will help to reduce the amount of germs under the nail. Nails need to be cut carefully because of the sudden movements babies often make, using small scissors with blunt-ended blades. The best time to trim these is after a bath when they are softer and babies are on the verge of sleeping. Be careful!

Hair Care

For caregivers, a suitable hair length and style such as a plait or bun, is a very easy way of minimizing the risk of lice as the hair are then less likely to come in contact with dirt. Parents should also make sure that they or other caregivers keep hair clear of dandruff and lice to avoid transmission. For children, shampooing with a mild soap or shampoo once or twice a week is advisable, but not daily. Daily rinsing with water is sufficient.

ear and nose

Cotton wool buds can be used if absolutely necessary to clean only the outer ears and the nostrils. It is not to be pushed in deeper as it may hurt the baby if she or he moves, so you should hold the baby firmly while doing this. Never poke anything up the ear canal, as a sudden movement may make you damage or even break the baby’s eardrum.

Food Hygiene

Children should be encouraged to wash their hands before meals and snacks to lower chances of transferring germs from the hand to the mouth. For the same reason, they should be discouraged from eating off the floor, which is especially important if there are pets in the house.

Some tips to keep infections at bay

Nappies

Do's and Don'ts

You'll probably decide before you bring your baby home whether you'll use cloth or disposable nappies. Whichever you use, the baby will dirty nappies about 10 times a day, or about 70 times a week.

Before making the baby wear a nappy, make sure you have all supplies within reach so you won't have to leave your baby unattended. You'll need:

After each bowel movement or if the nappy is wet, lay your baby on his or her back and remove the dirty nappy. Use the water, cotton balls, and washcloth or the wipes to gently wipe your baby's genital area clean.

When removing a boy's nappy, do so carefully because exposure to the air may make him urinate.

When wiping a girl, wipe her bottom from front to back to avoid a urinary tract infection.

Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly after changing a nappy.

Nappy rash is a common concern. Typically the rash is red and bumpy and will go away in a few days with warm baths, some cream, and a little time without the diaper. Most rashes occur because the baby's skin is sensitive and becomes irritated by the wet or soiled nappy.

To prevent or heal nappy rash, try these tips: