How to care for your newborn's body

Besides umbilical cord stump and genitals, a newborn's scalp and finger and toe nails need looking after. These sections cover:

• Treating cradle cap
• Looking after finger and toe nails

Treating cradle cap

Cradle cap is simply a scalp condition that ranges from dry flaky skin to yellowish scaly patches of skin and which results when oil-making sebaceous glands release too much oil. The condition is quite usual for some newborns to have from about two weeks old, and clears up by about seven months old.

Two treatments are recommended. One is to rub mild olive oil into the scalp sin twice a week letting it absorb for about fifteen minutes to soften the flaky skin before gently washing it off with baby shampoo. The second method is to rub baby shampoo into the scalp, allowing it to absorb for about twenty minutes before massaging off with a soft brush.

If by seven months old, the condition still exists, then the baby should be examined by a healthcare provider for further treatment.

Looking after finger and toe nails

After birth, a baby's nails are soft, but sharp. They also grow fast and can easily scratch skin open. These nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent harm to the newborn or parent through scratching.

Sometimes the nails can be peeled off, but care should be taken not to rip the nails or clip the skin. Filing the nails, or using scissors, is recommended while the baby is asleep or feeding.

Caring for a newborn's vagina

The most important advice when caring for a newborn's vagina is to ensure that the baby girl's genital area is wiped from front (vagina) to back (anus) to avoid transferring bacteria that can cause vaginal infection.

Some baby girls develop a white, clear or bloody discharge which is a normal release from hormonal action during the pregnancy process. The discharge should clear after about five to six weeks, but if not, the baby girl should have a medical examination.

Caring for your newborn:

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• Caring for your newborn
• What are dummies?
• Newborns and movement
• Burping your baby
• Playing with your newborn
• Caring for newborns with and without circumcision
• Baby hair loss
• Baby Massage
• Newborn Clothing: Dressing and body temperature
• Newborn and home safety
• Newborn: When others want to hold or touch
• Babies and pets
• Baby constipation
• Baby clothes
• What should my first aid kit contain?
• Taking a baby’s temperature
• Baby medicine

• Coping with your newborn
• Newborn: When to call a doctor?
• Baby hygiene
• Trimming baby nails
• Caring for babies’ bottoms
• Baby poo
• How to care for your newborn’s body
• Newborns and nappies
• Caring for your Baby’s Clothes
• Baby Milestones
• Baby first aid
• Common baby emergencies
• How to help a choking baby
• Baby vomiting
• Keeping your baby safe
• Baby Monitors
• Baby swimming

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