Newborn Care Guidelines and Prohibitions

For newborns who have just entered the world, proper care is of utmost importance. New mothers must exercise meticulous attention to ensure their babies grow and develop healthily. While there are many long-standing practices for caring for newborns, not all of them are necessarily correct. There are numerous taboos to avoid when caring for a newborn.

Prohibitions in Newborn Care

1. Avoid Using Plastic Wrap as Diapers: Plastic wrap is non-breathable. Wrapping a baby in it can directly affect the normal development of their skin, impeding functions such as waste excretion, sweat secretion, temperature regulation, and carbon dioxide exhalation. Moreover, the plastic may degrade over time, irritating the baby's skin, causing redness, pain, and potentially leading to infection, ulcers, sepsis, and even life-threatening situations.

2. Do Not Squeeze Baby's Cheeks: Many parents squeeze their baby's cheeks when administering medicine or playing, which is incorrect. Repeated squeezing of the parotid glands and ducts can lead to drooling and oral mucositis. Therefore, avoid squeezing your baby's cheeks.

3. Do Not Use Detergent to Wash Baby Clothes: Detergents primarily contain sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, which strongly inhibits the activity of amylase and pepsin in the body, potentially causing poisoning if not rinsed thoroughly. Thus, avoid using detergent to wash baby clothes.

4. Do Not Trim Baby's Eyelashes: Some mothers believe trimming eyelashes will make them grow longer, but an eyelash's lifespan is only around 90 days. Trimming them offers no benefit and can be detrimental to the baby's physical and mental health. Eyelashes protect the eyes from dust and other particles.

5. Wash New Clothes Before Wearing: New baby clothes must be washed with gentle detergents before wearing. Cotton clothes should be bought slightly larger to account for shrinkage. This step removes residual bleach and dyes that may irritate the baby's delicate skin.

6. Avoid Hitting the Back or Back of the Head: The spinal canal houses the central and spinal nerves. Hitting the baby's back or back of the head can cause pressure and vibrations, potentially damaging the central nervous system. Therefore, avoid striking these areas excessively.

Correct Methods for Newborn Care

1. Umbilical Cord Care: Newborn umbilical cords typically fall off within 7 days. Before this, parents should check for blood seepage in the gauze wrapping. After detachment, inspect for any blood or pus; if present, apply alcohol to keep the area dry and seek medical attention promptly.

2. Maintain Warmth: Newborns have poor temperature regulation, making them prone to colds and pneumonia. Keep the baby's room at an ideal temperature, around 23°C.

3. Oral Hygiene: Newborn oral mucosa is delicate yet vascular and dry. Yellowish-white spots on the gums or palate are often due to retained mucus glands and are harmless.

4. Respiratory Tract Care: Newborns breathe shallowly with irregular patterns. Keep their airways clear at all times. If mucus is present in the nose, gently remove it with a sterilized cotton swab.