I thought that maybe you girls could use this.

-stacie & seany & larry

umbilical cord care:
1) keep your baby’s diaper folded below the stump to air out the area and to protect from urine. (the stump being the umbilical cord!!)
2) dab a cotton ball in some rubbing alcohol, then apply it to the base of the stump at least 3 times a day, or each diaper changing. (you can get alcohol pads from the hospital grad about 25!!)
3) inspect the area for any signs of infection, such as excessive bleeding, bad odor, or discharge. Call your doctor if you see this stuff!!

Trimming nails:
1) clean baby scissors or clippers with rubbing alcohol to keep clean
2) pick a time of the day when your baby is asleep-during the afternoon nap is ideal. Hold out one of her fingers, keeping a firm grasp on the rest of her hand. They now have baby clippers that have a magnifiying glass on the end so that you can see the babys nail better.
3) press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking the skin, and snip the nail straight across, make sure you get all the sharp edges.
(they make baby filling boards too!!)

diaper rash:
1) if your baby has diaper rase, use a washcloth soaked in clean warm water instead of baby wipes to clean her diaper area.
2) let her air-dry for a few minutes, or set a blow-dryer on cool and dry her bottom!!
3) apply balmex, or desitin (make sure it doesn’t have lanolin in it) and put her in a clean diaper. She may cry because it hurts!!



Taming the tears:
1) put him in his favorite swing or swaddle him to rock the tears away
2) no luck, try a visual aid such as a mobile or put him next to something that makes noise. A washing machine for example
4) if your baby is inconsolable, you may need to just let him be. Crying is natural. Make sure the baby is changed, fed, and everything and don’t let him cry very long… do a walk or something

quick tip: keep babys hands free during swaddling so they can try to soothe themselves.

Burping:
1) place over your shoulder on a burp cloth
2) pay her back firmly for a couple of minutes. If this doesn’t work, sit her on your lap facing away from your with one hand supporting her abdomen and head.
3) if your don’t get resulrs withing a few minutes, she probably doesn’t need to burp. Continue feeding and try again!

Bath time:
1) make sure the room is warm. It is a good idea to close the bathroom door and turn up the heat in the winter, like 5 minutes before hand and have the door closed during the water running, and bath time.
2) put only about 2 inches of water in the tub.

Quick tip: babies don’t need a bath everyday 2-3 times a week. I do everyday though!!

Cleaning ears:
1) sock a cotton washcloth in warm water, during her bathtime
2)use the washcloth to gently wupe the nooks and crannies of her outer ear. Make sure that you get behind the ears!!

Quick tip: remember wax is natural