When moms think about a baby’s genital care, often, the topic of skin care comes up. What products are best? How about wipes? Should I use soaps and creams? When it comes to your baby’s genitals, these are good questions!
Your Baby's Delicate Bottom
You could easily get by with just water and fragrance and alcohol-free baby wipes during the first couple of weeks. Chemicals can upset your baby’s natural balance, causing irritation, rashes, and possible allergic reactions. Any cleanser that you use should be tested on a small area of your baby’s skin before using – not the genitals.
Also, stay clear of petroleum products. These include mineral oil, petroleum jelly, and other petroleum-based products. The exception is if your baby boy has been circumcised. Also, never use talcum power on your baby’s bottom or skin.
If you are using cloth diapers, be sure to wash them in gentle fragrance-free laundry detergent meant for babies. If you are using disposable diapers, monitor for any reactions. Commercial disposable diapers have chemicals in them, so you may need to change to chemical-free disposable diapers.
To help prevent a diaper rash, change your baby’s diapers as soon as it becomes soiled with urine or stool, and thoroughly clean the area. If your baby’s bottom has red and inflamed patches or bumps, this could be a fungal infection. Use an anti-fungal cream to help clear up the rash. If the rash gets worse, spreads, or starts oozing – it’s time to see a pediatrician.
You get the drift. Less is better. There is no need to have elaborate skin-care products for your baby. Clean your baby’s bottom with the best nature has to offer – water.
Cleaning Baby Girl Bottoms
Do’t be surprised. The labia may be swollen, and the clitoris of some baby girls will be exposed for several weeks until the labia matures. Just be gentle.
When your baby girl poos, it is fairly common for fecal matter to be found in the vaginal area. This should be carefully removed. When cleaning, be very gentle and follow these steps:
- First, clean up the major poo, wiping from front to back. After that messy job is done, clean the vaginal area.
- The labia should be gently parted.
- Using a soft, moist cloth, gently clean the area wiping from front to back. This will prevent fecal matter and bacteria from being transmitted to her vagina or urethra, which can cause an infection. Don’t use baby wipes on her mucous membranes, even if they are fragrance-free. This could be irritating to her delicate genitals.
- Clean the sides of her labia, also wiping from front to back.
- Finally, do one final inspection and clean the area from front to back until everything has been removed.
- Pat dry, and diaper.
Cleaning Baby Boy Bottoms
Baby boy bottoms are a lot easier to clean than baby girls, but there a few things that you need to be considerate of:
- Your baby boy’s genitals are very delicate, so handle with care.
- The scrotum may be enlarged due to birth hormones, but no worries – the swelling will go down.
- When changing diapers, cover the penis with a cloth or a clean diaper. Otherwise, you might get surprised with a stream of urine in your face. The cold air can make him want to wee.
- When diapering, point the penis down. If you don’t, his wee can escape through the top of the diaper.
- There is a difference between caring for a boy with an intact penis and a circumcised penis (see below).
If Your Son's Genitals Are Intact
DO NOT pull the foreskin back, as this will retract naturally as the child begins to handle himself. Clean the penis with warm water in a downward motion toward the end, like a pencil.
The saying goes:
“When intact, do not retract.
Only clean what is seen.”
Basically, clean it like a pencil –
downward from the shaft.
If you Circumcised Your Son
After a baby boy is circumcised, the doctor will apply petroleum ointment over the wound. It is then wrapped with gauze to keep the wound from sticking to his diaper. It takes about 7 to 10 days to heal from the procedure, so your baby’s penis will be sore for a few days, and the tip might be raw or yellowish. There also may be a little oozing from the edge of the incision.
Caring for the Circumcised Penis
For the next week or so, do the following:
- Keep the area clean with warm water.
- If poop gets on the penis, you can use mild, fragrance-free soapy water to gently wipe it away.
- Whenever you change the dressing on the incision, apply a new one with petroleum jelly. Some parents prefer vitamin E oil.
- Nursing mothers may take a little extra vitamin C to speed healing.
After the dressing is no longer needed, apply petroleum jelly or vitamin E on the penis for about five days.
Call the Doctor Right Away:
- If you find blood on the diaper – more than a quarter size.
- If you notice the tip of your baby’s penis is red and swollen and getting worse.
- If your baby develops a fever or signs of infection, such as the presence of pus-filled blisters.
- If your son does not urinate within 12 hours after the circumcision.
