Taking Care Of A Baby Girl’s Genitals: Here’s What You Need To Know
18 Aug 2022 | 3 min Read
Reema Shah
Author | 740 Articles
Your baby girl’s genitals are very delicate, so you must clean this area carefully. Many parents only use water and cotton pads to wash the diaper area for the first couple of weeks.
However, you can use a small amount of mild baby cleanser in the water to wipe your baby girl’s private parts. You may also use a natural wipe which is suitable for your baby’s sensitive skin. Pick fragrance-free and alcohol-free bamboo baby wipes.
Bathing A Baby Girl
When bathing your baby girl, you can use add a little mild liquid baby cleanser or just water. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently clean her bottom area. Ensure that you wipe from front to back. Avoid scrubbing when washing your baby’s bottom.
Even when drying with a towel, don’t rub as it can damage the delicate surface layer of her skin. Instead, the best option is to pat dry. You may add emollient to the water if your baby’s bottom skin is dry while bathing her. Emollients can be slippery to handle, thus take extra care when using them.
Cleaning A Baby Girl’s Genitals
Sweat, nappy creams and other substances tend to collect in and around the labia. The labia is referred to as either side of the vagina. Furthermore, cleaning in and around the labia is important also to remove traces of poo. After cleaning the diaper area, wash your hands and let the baby’s diaper area air dry for some time. Then apply a diaper rash cream and use a fresh diaper.
Use a wet cotton ball soaked in warm water to clean your baby’s labia. To clean properly, hold your baby’s legs apart using the cotton ball and wipe between the labia using the cotton ball. Start from the front and wipe backwards gently. If you need to wipe again, pick a fresh cotton ball. Then pat dry using a soft towel.
Things To Avoid
Avoid vaginal deodorants or douches. They can affect the natural chemical balance of your baby’s vagina and increase the risk of infection. Avoid using talcum powder in the baby’s private parts as it may irritate the vaginal skin. It is also possible for the baby to inhale the talcum powder.
Things To Watch Out For
At times your baby girl might have a thick milky discharge. However, this doesn’t need to be cleaned away. Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure about any other discharge. Caring for your baby girl’s genitals should be a part of your daily routine. This is because it can cause various infections. By following these simple tips, you can keep your baby clean and healthy.
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