I have some baby questions? Please help!! I know nothing about babies?

Question

Ok. I got the instruction on how to prepare formula from the similac website, but now I have these questions: My little niece is 4 months old. I am keeping her cause her mom has to get emergency surgery.

*What is a good treatment for diaper rash that is safe to put on a baby girl?

*How many times should I wake the baby up to feed her if she sleeps all night?

*Is it okay to wash to baby in the big bathtub. or should I use the kitchen sink?

*Should I wash her clothing that gets dirty in a special soap? Or can I use my regular detergent? (I use the Wally world lavender detergent)

*Her mom said she has a little cold, and I do notice her nose running but thank goodness she has no fever. Should I go buy one of those suctiony-thingies or can I just wipe her nose as needed?

*And, are their little hands supposed to be cold? She is normal temperature, and the house is warm (80 degrees) but baby's hands are cold. I put her on a footy sleeper, and socks on her hands? OMG?? Help?

I think my brother was in such rush to get her to the hospital that he forgot many things. They didn't put a diaper cream only a lot of diaper and lots of clothe, milk, bottles, and warm things...so I don't have all the baby gadgets they need.

Answer 1

Diaper rash: for now, any of the standard creams you find in drugstore. But the best you can do is let her spend some time with the diaper off -- let her go bare-bummed on a towel for spells.

Don't wake a sleeping baby! She'll wake if she's hungry.

Either's fine. You can even take her in the shower with you (best to have somebody else to hand her to when done, but).

I'd go with something unscented, but odds are it'll be fine.

If it's not blocked, just wipe.

Baby hands are often a bit frosty, yes. The socks were a nice thought but unnecessary if the house is at a normal temp. Dress her like you dress yourself.

Answer 2

*What is a good treatment for diaper rash that is safe to put on a baby girl? I would use Butt Paste--it works the best

*How many times should I wake the baby up to feed her if she sleeps all night? AT 4 months, I would let her sleep thru the night and just be ready for her to eat as soon as she wakes up...unless she wakes up thru out the night.

*Is it okay to wash to baby in the big bathtub. or should I use the kitchen sink? whichever you are more comfortable with--i was using the bath tub by 4 months with my son

*Should I wash her clothing that gets dirty in a special soap? Or can I use my regular detergent? (I use the Wally world lavender detergent) on this one, it depends on what her mom uses..you dont want her to break out in a rash from the scented stuff...Purex Free and Clear is safe to use with babies.

*Her mom said she has a little cold, and I do notice her nose running but thank goodness she has no fever. Should I go buy one of those suctiony-thingies or can I just wipe her nose as needed?
I would wipe her nose thru out the day and get the bulb syringe for at night--that is when the runny nose gets the worst...also, a runny nose without fever could mean that she is teething...so she might have the runny nose as long as you keep her or until her teeth come thru.

*And, are their little hands supposed to be cold? She is normal temperature, and the house is warm (80 degrees) but baby's hands are cold. I put her on a footy sleeper, and socks on her hands? OMG?? Help? Most babies have cold feet and hands--cuz they like to stick their hands in their mouth and then the wet hands dry and get cold..the feet are cold cuz they take their socks off (all the time)

It sounds like you are doing a great job...Keep up the good work!!

Answer 3

First off, you are a wonderful person for watching an infant while her mommy is ill!
1. Get diaper rash cream, Desitin or Butt Paste is best.
2. Do not wake up a 4 month old to eat. At that age they are able to sleep through the night and will awaken and let you know if they are hungry.
3. You can wash baby in big tub but be careful because they can't sit up, they slide easily and can crack their head on the tub. Lay a folded towel on the bottom of the tub and fill tub with very little water. Towel will get wet but it provides safety and cushion for the baby.
4. Special soap is nice, Dreft is for babies but it's expensive and not really necessary unless baby has skin problems. Just use cold water and half the detergent you normally would use.
5. Suctiony things are a pain, don't work too well and tend to make baby angry. Unless she so congested she can't eat or is upset just let her be and wipe her nose as needed.
6. My 4 month old's hands are cold no matter how warm the house is, don't overheat the house, this won't make her hands warmer and it will make the baby fussy.

You'll be fine, just relax, take your time and give baby lots of hugs and kisses as I'm sure she's missing her mommy.

Answer 4

Put desitin or balmex on her bottom for a rash. Don't use baby powder.

If she sleeps through the night, don't wake her! Just make sure she is getting enough to eat during the day. She will wake if she is hungry.

Using the kitchen sink is much easier on your back! Just make sure it is clean!

I have used dreft laundry soap. Any mild soap is ok unless she is allergic (little rash would appear)

If she gets really stuffed up the suctiony-thingies work great! You can just wipe her nose if it's not bad.

Their little hands do get cold. You don't need to keep the house so warm 70 degrees is good and footy sleepers are always comfy for babies.

Sounds like you are doing a great job. Just remember to keep her clean, diapers changed, full belly and give her lots of love! If she does come down with a fever, strip her down to an undershirt and call her pediatrician. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 5

*What is a good treatment for diaper rash that is safe to put on a baby girl?

I use zinc oxide cream and give my daughter diaper free time each day to let her parts get some air on them (supervised of course with a diaper under)

*How many times should I wake the baby up to feed her if she sleeps all night?
None unless her mom directed you to. If she's sleeping through the night that's great!

*Is it okay to wash to baby in the big bathtub. or should I use the kitchen sink?

We use the big bathtub since my DD was 3 months. We just place a towel on the bottom and only fill it a couple inches. Don't leave her alone in the tub though.

*Should I wash her clothing that gets dirty in a special soap? Or can I use my regular detergent? (I use the Wally world lavender detergent)

I use dye and sent free soap but if the baby's skin isn't sensitive regular soap is usually OK. Just make sure its rinsed well.

*Her mom said she has a little cold, and I do notice her nose running but thank goodness she has no fever. Should I go buy one of those suction-thingies or can I just wipe her nose as needed?

My daughter fights the suction thing anyway. I usually just wipe it and apply some saline nasal drops once or twice a day. Also a humidifier works nice in their bedroom.


*And, are their little hands supposed to be cold? She is normal temperature, and the house is warm (80 degrees) but baby's hands are cold. I put her on a footy sleeper, and socks on her hands? OMG?? Help?

Babies hands are naturally colder then their head and trunks. Their circulation is still not perfected. I use sleepers with feet's but leave her hands free. Feeling her stomach is usually a better indication of her true temp.


God bless you and hope it goes well!

Answer 6

I have an 11 month old boy, so here are my answers to your questions.......

The best thing I have found for diaper rash is Desitin - use that on the rash and don't wipe it off. Use a very thick coat of it - it should go away within a few days.

Do not wake the baby up to feed her in the middle of the night. At this age, if she is sleeping through the night, then she is not hungry. Only feed her in the middle of the night if she wakes up for it.

I would not wash the baby in the big bathtup, she's probably still too little, it's probaby safest to wash her in your sink. However, make sure that sink has been cleaned and steralized before you wash her in it.

I wash my sons clothes in normal detergent, I don't think there is a need to wash her clothes in the special detergent, unless her mother told you she has sensitive skin.

I would buy a suctiony thing for her nose, just incase it's hard for her to breathe through her nose. You will know if she is not drinking her bottle well, then she is probably having problems breathing through the nose. Otherwise you should be fine just wiping her nose.

It is normal for their hands to be cold, my son's hands were always cold at that age and the doctor said that was fine.

Answer 7

okay #1 BREATHE
#2 good treatment for diaper rash is Desitin Diaper Rash Cream..just smear a thin layer over the whole bottom area each diaper change until rash is gone. Also, make sure to keep baby clean and dry..change diapers frequently and clean thouroughly. **little girls especially have lots of wrinkles where poop can hide**

If the baby sleeps all night (which she probably won't) don't wake her up. Even babies know when they are hungry and trust me, if she wants food, she will wake up..If not, enjoy the sleep!

It is okay to wash baby in a big bathtub as long as you feel comfortable doing so. Use very little water and maybe get in the tub with her to keep a better grip..babies are slippery..

Use the normal laundry soap unless child has very sensitive skin..which is rare and probably would have been mentioned.

Just wipe her nose as needed. A suction thing might help her sleep better if you feel up to using it. Make sure baby sleeps ON HER BACK OR SIDE to avoid SIDS danger, even with a snotty nose she shouldn't be placed on her belly.

And babies hands and feet vary in temp all the time. A good rule is if you are comfortable so is she. If you feel like you need a jacket get one for her. If not, you're fine. Don't worry about her hands so much..


You are going to be fine! Thank you so much for being such a wonderful babysitter that you care about these things. I am sure her mom really appreciates everything you are doing!!

Answer 8

* For diaper rash, you can use nursery gel (Vaseline) if you have some on hand or diaper rash cream like Desitin. Get some pure cornstarch baby powder because that works wonders.
* If the baby sleeps the whole night you don't have to wake her to feed her. She'll be fine. Just be prepared to feed her as soon as she wakes up.
* If she fits in the kitchen sink, go ahead and wash her there since it's easier on your back. She may splash a bit. Otherwise, the big tub is fine but she'll be very slippery and a little harder to hold on to.
* At 4 months, her skin shouldn't be so sensitive, so I think regular detergent is fine, as long as you don't see any allergic reactions.
* If she can still breathe fine with you just wiping her nose she should be okay. If her nostrils seem to be clogged then I would get a nasal aspirator to get the snot out.
* I'm not sure why her hands are cold, maybe because she has is a little sick. As long as you know the rest of her isn't cold she should be fine.
You're doing a great job and lots of luck to you and the baby's mom for a quick recovery.

Answer 9

1.) Diaper rash ointment like sudocrem, desitin, balmex, Lansinoh are good to use for diaper rashes.Never use vaseline on a babies bottom

2.) I suggest you do not wake her up to feed her if she is hungary she will wake up on her own.

3.)You can wash the baby in either the tub or sink, tub is going to be alot bigger and your going to need to hold onto her the whole time, do not let go. Bathing her in the sink would probably be more comfortable to the baby because it is in a much smaller space and more easy for you, your still going to need to have a hold on her the whole time. You know you could also take a bath with the baby which would probably make the baby feel better and more secure.

4.) You could either go and buy baby detergent or you can use your own, using your own detergent will not hurt her it's just more rough on there sensitive skin and if she is allergic she could have a reaction, so if you use your own detergent be cautious and watch for any signs of a reaction and try not to use scented detergent.

4.) You could go and buy one of those suction bulbs but i'm sure if you ask the mother to bring one she would. Never stick anything other than a nose sucker into there tiny little noses, nor there ears. Nose and ears are self cleaning. Only use the suction balb if you hear she is congested or stuffed up, if she is runny then it is already draining on it's own so just wipe her nose.

5.) Alot of the time a babies hands and feet are going to be cold because of the poor curculation, they cannot regulate there own body temperature, so always make sure your house is warm and keep socks on the babies hands and feet , make sure the baby is always warm but not too hott.

good luck!

Answer 10

Penatin or Zincofax for the diaper rash.

Let the baby wake you. feed her on demand.

Yes its okay to wash the baby in a big bath. Make sure its not too deep or too hot and maybe put a towel on the bottom of the tub to keep her from slipping around. The kitchen sink can have a lot of bacteria in it, even if you are a rigorous cleaner, so it better to avoid the sink if possible.

You don't need a special laundry detergent. the detergent you use should not be heavily scented though. You could always put the clothes through an extra rinse cycle if she is irritated by the detergent.

Wipe her nose as needed. You can by saline nose drops for babies and that sometimes helps to losen the mucus.

Babies hands and feet are usually colder than ours. If you are concerned that she is too cold the rule of thumb is one more layer of clothing than you are wearing so if your wearing pants and t-shirt she should have a sleeper and an undershirt. Feel the back of her neck if it is cold you need an extra layer if it is warm you need to take a layer off.

I hope this helps.

Answer 11

You need to keep calm you will do fine. A good rash ointment is Desitin diaper rash ointment. If she sleeps all night there is no need to wake her up because if you do she will no longer sleep through the night. Bathing the baby depends on how big she is. If she is too big for the sink then use the tub but only fill a small amount of water, like just to above her ankle should be plenty, use a cup to pour the water over her to rinse. Laundry, ask her mother is she has any skin irritations, if that isn't an option you can buy Dreft laundry detergent for babies and no softener, and if you use bleach make sure you extra rinse. When she is runny nosey just wipe unless you notice her breathing like she is getting congested or plugged up, then use a squee gee for her nose, make sure you clean it with warm/hot water after each use. As for her being cold, the heat from our bodies escapes through our head and our feet, so keep them both covered and put some little socks or mittens over her hands.