Parents are often concerned about the correct implementation of hygiene procedures, including bathing, washing and treating the external genitalia of the newborn with powders, creams or oils. The baby's skin is very delicate; if not properly cared for, it easily breaks out in a rash and turns red. If you want to know how to wash a newborn baby boy, this article is for you. We will outline the rules for caring for the “delicate” area of the baby’s perineum, and also talk about the features of hygiene of the foreskin and penis of a newborn boy.
How often should I wash my boy? General rules for baby skin care
It is known that newborn babies need to be washed. You will have to change your baby's diaper or diaper very often in the first few months of his life. At least eight to ten times a day (that is, after each bowel movement) you will need to wash the baby’s delicate skin. It is allowed for a child to stay in one disposable diaper for no more than 3-4 hours, but only if there is no feces. Urine and feces contain various bacteria and enzymes and are considered an aggressive environment for the delicate skin of a child. Getting on his genitals and buttocks, they can cause not only unpleasant sensations. If you do not wash off the feces in a timely manner, irritation and inflammation will occur. Therefore, after each bowel movement, it is imperative to change the diaper and clean the baby’s bottom. It is extremely important for all young parents to know how to properly wash their newborn boy or girl. The attention of father and mother to the intimate hygiene of the baby should be vigilant, because the cleanliness of the genitals is the key to the future reproductive health of their child.
"Water" procedures for a boy?
It is necessary to clean the child’s skin and genitals after defecation or every three to four hours when changing a diaper, under warm running water. Before bathing, you need to prepare everything you need, including: cotton pads, a disposable diaper, powder, and special oil or oil. How to wash a newborn boy: this must be done under running water over a sink (or bathtub). First you need to turn on the water, and then adjust its pressure and temperature. Remember that the most comfortable is warm, but not hot water (36-38 °C). Then you should undress the child and place him with his tummy on his hand. In this case, his chest should be slightly higher than his palm. The baby's shoulder should be grasped with the index and middle fingers. Don't be afraid - with this grip the child will not slip out. When bathing, a stream of water can be directed from the genitals to the anus or simply to the baby’s bottom. How to wash a newborn boy: the photo demonstrates this procedure.
We use baby soap when washing
You should not use soap, gels and lotions every time you perform hygiene procedures. The famous doctor E. O. Komarovsky believes that you can wash a baby’s bottom no more than twice a day. At other times, it is necessary to wash the child simply with tap water, without any bathing products. Using soap too often can be harmful - dry out the skin, and this will lead to microcracks and damage through which pathogenic bacteria and microbes can easily penetrate. It is also not recommended to use “adult” gels and shampoos for intimate hygiene of babies, since they often contain dyes, flavors and fragrances that can cause a serious allergic reaction.
We finish the “bathing” and dry the baby
After washing off all feces, wrap the baby in a clean diaper or soft towel. To dry the skin, you need to put the baby on his back and use light tangential movements to remove excess moisture in the area of the buttocks, genitals and inguinal folds. There is no need to rub your baby's skin. After this, you can let the child lie naked for 5-10 minutes. Remember, air baths are of great benefit. Then you can treat the “delicate” area with a special cream or cream and finally put on a diaper.
Features of caring for boys. Physiological phimosis
It is important for parents to take into account the physiological characteristics of the genital organs of their babies. Newborn boys are born with physiological phimosis, which disappears on its own in 90% of cases by the age of three to five. It is expressed in the fact that the foreskin is narrowed. And therefore it prevents There are sebaceous glands inside the foreskin. They produce smegma - a special fat-like secretion. If your baby is not washed correctly and regularly, bacteria can accumulate under this fold of skin. As a consequence of this, an inflammatory process of the skin of the glans penis may develop. Therefore, it is extremely important to pay close attention to the child’s hygiene. How to wash a boy under one year old? It is imperative to take care of the head of the penis. The foreskin should not be pulled back or moved by force. There is no need to check how the head opens. Remember, the penis only needs to be washed gently with warm water! To keep your baby's genitals clean, regular washing and daily bathing are enough. If you touch the skin on the penis or try to wash the head, you can seriously harm the baby and provoke the formation of microtraumas that leave scars.
How to properly wash the foreskin?
If any flesh appears, you can rinse it gently. How to do this correctly? Fill the syringe with a solution of furatsilin or extericide (10 ml). Pull the skin upward slightly without exposing the head of the penis. Insert the syringe (without a needle) into the gap that appears. Release the fluid under pressure, flushing out the smegma that has accumulated between the foreskin and the glans. If necessary, this procedure can be repeated two or three more times. Then you can drop one or two drops of sterile oil (vegetable or olive) into the gap. If you notice that your newborn is experiencing any difficulties with urination, for example, urine is released in a very thin stream, and the child is worried and crying, be sure to contact a specialist. These symptoms may indicate excessive narrowing of the foreskin. You should also consult a doctor if there is redness or swelling of the skin on the boy's penis. You should not try to treat the child yourself - the inflammatory process can spread to the bladder and urethra.
Now you know exactly how to wash a newborn boy, as well as how to care for his genitals correctly. We hope our tips will help you in caring for your baby!
