Basic baby care equipment: You need these products
Below you will find a list of useful products with which you can optimally care for your little darling:
- Nappies in the right sizes, wound protection cream and nappy bins are important for toilet training
- For changing nappies on the go, you should have small nappy bags or backpacks with you.
- Damp washcloths are good for caring for sensitive baby skin. It is better not to use wet wipes or only use them very sparingly, as they often contain allergenic fragrances. Or try to use fragrance free wipes.
- For care in the bathroom you need the following: A bath thermometer, various washcloths, two to three towels, a bathrobe with a hood, a soft sponge and a baby brush.
- The basic equipment for baby care also includes special baby cotton swabs for the ears.
- A special balm for babies is enough for facial care.
- You can take care of their nails with baby scissors that have rounded corners.
- For sun protection, you need suncream, suitable clothing (including a sun hat) and sunglasses.
- Please also think of the medicine cabinet with important aids (plaster, clinical thermometer, etc.).
Care for your baby’s bottom: what is good for your little one
You should gently wipe the genital area and buttocks daily with a soft cloth and lukewarm water. It is sufficient if you carefully dab the baby's bottom with a warm, damp cloth. Even if your baby was only peeing, it makes sense. In this way, you prevent the urine from spreading from the nappy onto the sensitive skin. Treat a sore spot with zinc wound protection or rose tea tree balm.
Bathing and wellness for babies - less is often more
Since the baby's skin is still very sensitive in the first three months, your baby should only bathe once or twice a week. A duration of five to six minutes at a water temperature of around 36 degrees is recommended. You don't need any special bath additives, warm water is sufficient. If your baby tends to have dry skin after a bath, you can rub them gently with a nourishing, fragrance-free lotion. You shouldn't worry about small pimples, as these are mostly hormonal and go away on their own. Washing their hair with shampoo is also not necessary in the first few months of life. To get started, it is enough to clean the little head with a damp washcloth. Please don't forget to dry your baby's skin and hair immediately after bathing.
If you ever feel like a soothing baby massage, your little one will be happy. A massage in a cozy room with a temperature of between 22 and 24 degrees strengthens your close bond. Use a special baby care product made from vegetable oils such as wheat or organic jojoba oil. Since allergic reactions can occur in rare cases, you should do a patch test beforehand: Simply apply a tiny drop of oil to the crook of your child's arm.
Don't forget to cut your baby's nails
It is best to use rounded baby scissors for nail care from the sixth week of your baby's life. If your baby is restless or crying as you do this, wait until they sleep. During this time, you can gently trim the nails by gently pressing down on the tips of your toes or fingers. Ideally, always cut along the semicircular nail shape and preferably a little less than too much.
Sun and insect protection for your baby
Your baby is very sensitive to the sun because their skin is not yet producing melanin. Therefore, you should never expose your little one to direct sunlight at any time of the year. So please stay in a shady place and only use suncream on your baby in a well-dosed manner. You should only apply a mineral sunscreen with SF 30 and physical UV filters to unprotected skin areas.
On hot days you should also protect your little one from buzzing pests. To do this, you attach a mechanical baby insect screen - such as a mosquito net or a muslin nappy - over the stroller or cot. Long, light-coloured clothes made of cotton or linen also protect your newborn from insect bites. Please refrain from using anti-mosquito repellants, as these should only be used from the age of two. If your baby is stung and has an insect allergy, call a doctor immediately and provide help with an emergency kit.
