Bathing, swaddling and Umbilical cord question?

Question

Initially before the umbilical cord fell off when you gave bath to your new born baby, did you give a full wash or just a sponge bath? And also did you apply something on the umbilical cord for it to heal? If so what was it?

Until how many months did you swaddle your little bundle of joy? They look cute when they get swaddled. But some babies feel comfortable and a few dont. How about your baby? I basically feel swaddling the baby makes one handle the baby more easily. Care to share your views? :-) Thanks!

Answer 1

My kids both liked to have their heads washed with the water being poured over their heads. I would hold them, fully clothed over the sink and wash their heads ( be sure to scrub it good to keep him or her from getting Cradle Cap ) and then towel drying their hair good. I would then take off their sleeper and wash everything but the diaper area drying them as I went ( this keeps them from getting so cold ) and then did the diaper area last.

As for the umbilical cord, I just cleaned around it a few times a day with a Q-tip and alcohol. Be sure you don't overdo it though. There is actually a bacteria that causes the umbilical cord to die off and if you clean it too often, it will not fall off. I did this with my son and he had to have it cauterized off! But you don't want the bacteria to grow out of control either, so a few times a day should keep it under wraps. The bacteria is part of the normal flora on the skin, so don't be alarmed by it.

As far as swaddling, I did it until they didn't like it anymore. I think they were both around 2 months. Once they start moving around and realizing that they weren't going to fall of the face of the earth if their arms and legs weren't tucked in tight, they were ready for some room in their covers. They are easier to handle swaddled and they do look sooooooooooooo cute!!!!

Good luck new mommy! Enjoy that little "bundle" of joy! It goes by VERY fast!

Answer 2

I was told to keep the umbilical cord dry so I did sponge baths. I didn't apply anything the first few days and then was told I could apply a rubbing alcohol cloth (I'm pretty sure that's what it was). It fell off at 8 days.

I only swaddled my daughter for a few weeks because she preferred to have her hands free (even the day she was born, the nurses in the hospital could tell she didn't like to be swaddled too tight and had to have at least one arm free). I liked the idea of swaddling but since I didn't do it long since my daughter didn't like it, it wasn't that important to me. Hope this is what you wanted! Thank you!

Answer 3

Sponge bath should be given if the cord is still there once it fell off then you can full wash the baby. We use 70% alcohol to clean the cord at least 3 x a day.Fold the top of the diaper to prevent it from rubbing the cord. Swaddling your baby gives them warmth and security.

Answer 4

Can give bath right away- just don't put them in water sumerged until the cord falls off- just a sponge bath will do.

For cord care for my first baby the recomended rubbing the base of the cord with rubbing alchol to help it dry up faster- but with my second- 27 months later they told me not ot do that it was not advised anymore. I am sure that they will give you instructions.

I swaddled my son for as longs as possible- he loved it. He is four now and if I could now maybe he would stay in bed.... Seriousl I think that I swaddled him for about 6 months. I got one of the swaddling blankets with the velcrow and he loved it.

My daughter didn't care for it as well I don't think she made it passed a week- it made her mad- she doesn't like to be confined. Each child will be deferent and will have their personality and disocvering that is the joy of parenthood.

I carried both of them completely different too and that let me know a lot of their personality. My son moved arround a lot and would move based on the surroundings. My daughter hardly moved at all ever. Except for the weight, I didn't feel pregnant- she won't move with I or the doctor pushed on her, didn't react, and now she is a sullen but happy thoughtful little girl. No Fluttering and she only got her head down 2 days before she was born. Otherwise she was in the same position for 4 ultrasounds with the same hands in the same place.... amazing!

I likely whatever my children liked- My opinon was not important as far as handling I just like happy babies swaddled or not.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

The first bath my babies had was on their second day of life, in the hospital. With both it was a full bath. I swaddled both of them for quite a few months until I felt they were ready to stop being swaddled. I don;t think there is a right time to do this but if you do it too early they will not feel secure and probably won't sleep well.

Answer 6

Before my sons umbilical cord fell off we gave him a sponge bath. That is what our doctor advised us to do. So as first time parents scared to death a sponge bath it was! I don't recall applying anything on it. But it was so amazing to see! Oh I miss that feeling holding him so young and being sooo careful.
I was unable to swaddle my baby very long. He is very independent and absolutely hates his feet covered. He will kick and kick until they are free. He is 14 months now and I wake up in the middle of the night to put the blanket over him, but sure enought he takes it off! I miss swaddling him. It makes me cry just thinking about the day I had him...learning to swaddle him! His dad had such a hard time folding the blanket just right. It was hilliarious:0) Swaddling definately makes you feel like you have more control and feel much safer.

Answer 7

it is fine to bath a baby before the cord has healed. Just make sure you dry the cord area well after the bath. When I worked as a midwife we used to use chlorhexadine in alchohol to bath the cord, but this practice has now changed, as it is better to do nothing to the cord and let the natural bacteria eat away the cord much sooner . If it does require cleaning, just use cool, boiled water to clean and then dry well with a towel.
SIDS Australia recommend wrapping baby till they can roll, which is about 4-5 months of age. Use a light muslin sheet though to wrap with, as not to over-heat the baby.
babies often settle better wrapped up, try an 'Angel wrap'

Answer 8

Before the cord falls off, it's sponge bath only,being careful not to get it wet.It needs no special care unless it looks infected, then use rubbing alcohol....just let nature take it's course.

By 3 months is when I stopped swaddling...my son will just grunt & moan until he gets his arms free.I agree that it's easy to handle a swaddled baby....I just love kissing their little faces when they are like that♥

Answer 9

i gave her a sponge bath and didnt apply nothing on it. i dont think its necessary. me and my hubbys sis had our baby the same day and my mother in law kept buggin me about putting alcohol on it for it to come off faster. my sis in law would do it..turns out my baby's cord came off like 5 days sooner than hers...so i dont think it makes a difference.

i swaddled my baby only till she was about 1 1/2 months. after that she didnt like to be all tied up so i had to stop. i loved doing it though.

Answer 10

my son loved being swaddled and i did it until he didnt like it anymore, or at least until he could escape the swaddle constantly, i think around 6 months

didnt do anthing to ambilical cords but clean his belly button with boiled water and cotton wool - bath first then clean button.