Once your baby’s hormones are balanced after the first few months, this problem will go away. The best way to get rid of the flaking is to wash your baby’s hair every day with a gentle baby shampoo.

First, try to soften the flaking by massaging your baby’s head with your fingers or a soft washcloth. Before rinsing the shampoo, comb your baby’s hair with a soft baby comb to remove any loose flaking.

Olive oil or baby oil can be applied to your baby’s scalp to soften the flaking. However, this may not always be helpful and can increase cradle cap. Cradle cap will eventually go away on its own. However, if the discomfort persists, worsens, or spreads, consult your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a medicated shampoo or cortisone cream.

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Body Care for Newborns - Nails

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Your baby’s nails may be softer and more prone to bending than yours, but don’t let that fool you; your baby’s nails are quite sharp, and your newborn, who has very little control over their flailing limbs, can easily scratch their own face (or yours) while reaching out to explore. Since newborns’ nails grow very quickly, you may need to cut them a few times a week.

You don’t need to cut their toenails that often. Some parents trim their babies’ nails by biting and picking them, but this can lead to infection. The best strategy here is to get a pair of baby scissors or nail clippers and have someone help you do it. One of you can hold your baby and keep them from moving too much, while the other can cut their nails. (It might be wiser to try this during feeding or bedtime when your baby is calmer.)

Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid cutting the skin, and hold your child's hand firmly while cutting the nails. If you are afraid of accidentally grabbing or cutting your baby's finger, you can use a soft emery nail file instead of scissors.

 

Body Care for Newborn Babies - Umbilical Cord

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After your baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut in a painless procedure close to the body. Keep the remaining part of the umbilical cord as clean and dry as possible until it dries and falls off.

This process usually takes 10 to 21 days. Once the umbilical cord has fallen off, a relatively open belly button is revealed. It will take a few days for this hole to heal completely. (You may see some blood in your baby's diaper after the umbilical cord has fallen off. This is perfectly normal.)

Fold your baby's diaper under the stump to allow air to get through to the umbilical cord and prevent it from coming into contact with urine. Avoid bathing your baby in the tub until the umbilical cord has fallen off. During this time, it is best to leave your newborn in just a diaper and a loose T-shirt in warm weather. This will help them dry more easily.

Avoid dressing your baby in onesie-like clothing until the umbilical cord has fallen off. We no longer recommend the old practice of wiping the umbilical cord with an alcohol swab, as research shows that the umbilical cord heals faster if not wiped with alcohol.

To keep the umbilical stump clean, simply sponge bathe your baby.

Although rare, signs of infection include swelling or redness, inflammation at the base of the stump, and fever.

 

Body Care for Newborn Babies - Circumcised Penis

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All you need to do for a newly circumcised penis is to keep the skin clean with soap and water as part of your regular bath time. Bubble baths should be avoided for both circumcised and uncircumcised male infants.

Bubble baths can dry out and irritate the penile tissue. For a few days after circumcision, the penis may appear slightly irritated and yellow tissue may be noticeable on the penis. This is actually a good sign that the penis is healing normally.

The circumcised area rarely becomes infected. Signs of infection include prolonged redness, swelling at the tip of the penis, and yellow, fluid-filled, crusty sores near the end of the penis. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away.

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Uncircumcised Penis

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When an uncircumcised male performs his ritual or bath, he pulls back his foreskin and is not taken to be cleaned. Clean the penis as you would any other body part. Depending on the baby's individual characteristics, it may take weeks, months or years for the foreskin to separate from the penis and become retractable. Do not force the skin until this happens.

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Vagina Area

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All you need to do for your baby girl's vagina is to wipe it with a damp, clean cloth during diaper changes and baths. To prevent your baby from transferring bacteria from her bottom to her vagina, be sure to wipe from front to back. Be sure to gently clean the folds and creases of her skin, too.

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Genital Region in the Newborn

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Whether your baby is a girl or a boy, you may see swelling and variety in the genital area. Girls may have a clear, white or slightly bloody discharge. All of these serious, normal birth results of exposure to hormones during pregnancy can be seen in the first few weeks. In this case, if it does not disappear within six weeks, it is ensured that those who observe these are told at the next check-up.