TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN'S GENITALS
Childen's genitals are very delicate, and requires special care. Babies are very prone to irritations and as parents, verious measures must be put in place to protect them. Here are some general tips for taking care of both baby boys and girls.
1. Check whether your baby needs changing regularly during the day and at least once at night. Changing wet nappies regularly will reduce the dampness of your baby's skin.
2. Try to balance keeping your baby clean with not washing and wiping too often, as this can irritate baby skin.
3. Change and clean your baby as soon as possible after a poo, as the combination of poo and wee is most likely to irritate your baby's skin.
4. Many parents wash the nappy area with just water for the first couple of weeks. Adding a little liquid baby cleanser to the water is another option, or you could use sensitive, fragrance-free baby wipes. Using these will help to protect your baby's natural skin barrier.
5. Avoid using baby products made with soap and baby wipes containing alcohol or perfume. These can disturb the natural balance of your baby's skin.
6. Wash your baby's bottom gently and pat it dry with a soft towel. Too much rubbing can damage the delicate surface layer of your baby's skin. Try to let your baby go nappy-free as much as you can, so don't always rush to get a clean nappy on again.
7. If your baby's skin is dry, you could add bath emollient solution to the water when you bathe him. Adding emollient to the water will make your baby slippery to handle, so you need to be extra-careful.
CARE FOR BABY BOY'S PENIS
When you want to change nappy and or at bathtimes, wash or wipe around your baby's penis and scrotum to clean away soiling.
You can use a clean cloth or cotton wool with either water, or water mixed with a little mild baby cleansing liquid. Specially formulated baby cleansers are best, as these are unlikely to damage your baby's natural skin barrier.
Specially formulated, sensitive, unperfumed, baby wipes may be as kind to your baby's skin as cotton wool and water. Try to use baby wipes that are alcohol-free.
While your son is a baby, the head of his penis will self-clean to some extent. Don't try to pull back his foreskin to clean as you won't be able to slide it back.
Your baby's foreskin will be attached to the head of his penis. The foreskin will separate from his penis by the time he's two years or three years old. You don't need to help it along and you'll probably do more harm than good if you try.
Forcing back the foreskin may cause it to tear where it is naturally attached, which can hurt your baby and leave scarring. It may also cause problems for your little boy later on.
If your baby has been circumcised, you can keep his penis clean as a part of his normal bathing. Water only is best for the first few days and avoid soaps or scented products, as they can irritate the skin. After the bath you could put some petroleum jelly on the wound. When you put on his nappy, point his penis downwards to protect it from rubbing.
Allow as much air as possible to circulate around your baby's penis while it's healing. If you can, give your baby some time without his nappy on.
Your baby's circumcised penis may take about seven days to 10 days to heal. For the first few days after circumcision, your baby's penis may look quite red and swollen and you may notice a yellowish secretion.
These are all signs of normal healing. If your son's penis does become infected, it may have redness that doesn't fade, or bleeding and a swollen penis tip. Your baby will feel pain when he does a wee. If he has a distressed cry and you notice any of these signs, call your doctor straight away.
CARE FOR BABY GIRLS VAGINA
During nappy changes and bathtimes, wash or wipe around your baby's genitals and bottom to clean away soiling. Always wipe the area from front to back. You can use a clean cloth or cotton wool with either water, or water mixed with a little mild baby cleansing liquid. Specially formulated baby cleansers are best, as these are unlikely to damage your baby's natural skin barrier. what garment to buy for that won't cost much in white color
Specially formulated, sensitive, unperfumed, baby wipes may be as kind to your baby's skin as cotton wool and water. Try to use baby wipes that are alcohol-free. Wipe away from your baby's vagina and urethra (the opening through which she does a wee).
If your baby has had a very dirty nappy and poo has got within her vaginal lips (labia), do the following:
1. With clean fingers, gently separate your baby girl's vaginal lips.
2. With moist cotton wool, a clean dampened cloth, or a suitable baby wipe (unperfumed and sensitive), wipe the area from top to bottom, or front to back, down the middle.
3. Then, clean each side within her labia with a fresh damp cloth, moist cotton wool or wipe.
4. Wiping from front to back will help to prevent bacteria transferring from your baby's bottom to her vagina or urethra, and causing an infection. When giving your baby a bath, again just use a flannel or sponge to swish water around the area, and wipe from front to back.
In the first few weeks, you may notice that your baby's vaginal area is swollen and red, or that she has a clear, white, or slightly bloody discharge. This is normal and happens because she's been exposed to your hormones while she was still in your womb (uterus).
However, if your baby is still having discharge after the first six weeks, mention it to your doctor at your baby's postnatal check.