Baby hygiene

The following articles will offer advice about baby hygiene and provide information about what your baby needs in terms of sterilisation and a safe environment.

Why are germs important?

It’s perfectly normal to try and provide your baby with the cleanest and safest possible surroundings and go to great lengths to shield your newborn baby from germs; however, to some degree the body needs to be exposed to germs in order to build up the immune system. Of course, living in a dirty home and avoiding washing on a regular basis is also not healthy and you should try to ensure your home is safe, warm and clean; just be aware that you don’t need to compulsively scrub every single inch of your home.

In recent years, parents have made more effort with cleanliness and new products have been put on the market to ensure your home is as sterile as possible; however, in tandem with these increased efforts, the number of children suffering from allergies has also increased. It is believed that raising children in too clean an environment and keeping them away from public places, for example, can make them more likely to suffer from allergies.

Steps you should take

It is beneficial for your baby to build up their immune system; however, there are some steps which you must take to minimise the risk of them contracting an infection, especially when they are tiny. These are some things that you must do when your baby is small:

  • Sterilise their bottles: if bottles are not sterile your baby may be at risk of developing an infection such as gastroenteritis. Take care to throw away left over milk and do not reheat milk.
  • Wash your hands on a regular basis, especially if you have been cleaning or you have been outdoors.
  • Wash yourself and your baby regularly; take care to wash under your baby’s folds of skin and dry them thoroughly afterwards.
  • Be careful when preparing food; wash your hands before and after you have touched food, especially raw meat and make sure everything is cooked right through.
  • Change their nappies regularly; leaving children in wet or dirty nappies will increase the risk of them getting rashes and painful, sore skin and it’s not very comfortable for them.
  • Wipe their bottoms thoroughly; take care to clean your baby’s bottom carefully; this will reduce the risk of them getting an infection. If you have a baby girl, make sure you always wipe from the front of the bottom to the back.

How does the immune system work?

The immune system is very complex and clever; it helps the body to fight against harmful germs and protects the body against infections and illnesses. Our immune system is build up and strengthened as we grow up, as antibodies are produced to combat different types of bacteria. It is necessary for your baby to be exposed to germs so that the body can formulate antibodies to fight off that germ in the future; the nutrients and antibodies in breast milk will offer some protection but this will not protect your baby against all germs; your baby needs to come into contact with bacteria in order to be able to battle against it in the future. Once the body has created an antibody, this will be activated every time the body comes across that particular type of bacteria further down the line.

What if my baby gets ill?

Minor infections and illnesses are very common amongst babies because their immune systems are still developing; in most cases, babies will get a slight snuffle and a little cough, rather than a full-blown cold and they should recover fairly quickly. Occasionally, babies can get very serious illnesses and you should always be vigilant; if you notice changes in your baby’s behaviour or they develop symptoms such as a soaring temperature, rashes or a high pitched cry, you should seek medical advice; don’t hesitate to call 999 if you are really worried.

Caring for your newborn:

Mother, Baby and Beyond

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