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Items You Will Need |
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1.
A baby bath or tub filled with warm water from
the tap. Check it with your hand or wrist first to make sure it's not too
hot. Make it slightly cooler if in doubt. |
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2.
A mild soap, but use it sparingly because it can dry
the baby's skin. |
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3.
A face cloth Baby shampoo or mild soap for their
hair. |
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4.
A good sized towel. |
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5.
A set of clothes |
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Safe Bathing |
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Follow these rules for safe bathing of baby- |
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Hold the baby firmly, supporting their head and back
with one hand and washing them with the other. |
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Fill the bath with only six to eight centimeters
of water for infants up to six months, and only until waist deep for older
children. |
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Shampoo the hair last and use only a small
amount. |
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Take the phone off the hook (or put on the
answerphone), while the baby is in the bath. |
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Put the cold water in before the hot to help
prevent scalding. Test the temperature of the water with your hand before
putting baby in it. |
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Do not put the baby in the bath while the water
is still running. |
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Always stay with the child at all times. Take the
baby with you if you have to leave the bathroom. Children can drown in less
than an inch of water and in less than one minute. There have been tragic
cases of this happening during brief distractions of the caregiver. |
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Boys: Penis Care |
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Your baby's foreskin does not need any special
cleaning. Normal bathing with plain water is the best care. Do not rub a lot
of frothy soap around the foreskin as this can get under it and cause
irritation. |
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The foreskin cannot normally be pulled back and
cleaned until 3-5 years. Never try to force it back at all. |
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If your baby has been circumcised give the baby a
sponge bath until his skin has healed. |
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Seek medical advice if you notice pus at the end
of the foreskin, if the foreskin balloons out during urination, if the urine
flow is weak, or stops and starts, or seems to be painful. |
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Girls: Vaginal Care |
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A lot of frothy soap and bubble baths can
sometimes irritate the vaginal area and should be avoided. Cleaning well
with plain water and gentle drying (dabbing with a soft towel) is best. |