Infant Care (Script)

(INTRODUCTION)

There are many different people working hard to take care for your baby in the unit, and this
can make it feel like your role as a parent isn’t very clear to begin with. So we are here to help
you on how to take care your babies as a first time parent.

Let us start with (Diapering), before diapering your baby, make sure you have all the supplies
within reach so you won’t have to leave your infant unattended on the changing table. You’ll
need:

 A clean diaper
 Fasteners (if cloth pre-fold diapers are used)
 Diaper ointment
 Diaper wipes (or a container of warm water and a clean washcloth or cotton balls)

(WHAT TO DO?)

 After each bowel movement or the diaper becomes wet, lay your baby on his or her
back and remove the soiled diaper. Use water, cotton balls, and a washcloth or the
wipes to gently wipe your baby’s genital area. When removing a boy’s diaper, do so
carefully because exposure to air may make him urinate. When wiping a girl, wipe her
bottom from front to back to avoid urinary tract infection. To prevent or heal diaper
rash, apply ointment. Always remember to wash your hand after changing the diaper.

(Rash) In your time as a first time parent you may encounter some rash that may appear on
your baby’s bum, this is a common concern. Rash may go away in a few days with warm baths,
some diaper cream, and a little time-out of the diaper. A rash happens because the baby’s skin
is sensitive and become irritated by the wet or poopy diaper.

(WHAT TO DO)

 Change your baby’s diaper often, and a soon as possible after bowel movements.
 Gently clean the area with mild soap and water (wipes sometimes can be irritating),
then apply a thick layer of diaper rash or “barrier” cream. You can use creams with zinc
oxide are preferred because they form barrier against moisture.
 If you use cloth diapers, wash them in dye- and fragrance-free detergents.
 Let the baby go undiapered for part of the day. This gives the skin a chance to air out.
Tip: if the diaper rash continues for more than 3 days or seems to be getting worse, call your
physician, because it may be caused by a fungal infection that requires a prescription.

(Circumcision) Immediately after circumcision, the tip of the penis is usually covered with
gauze coated with petroleum jelly to keep the wound from sticking to the diaper.

(WHAT TO DO?)

Gently wipe the tip clean with warm water after a diaper change, and then apply petroleum
jelly to the tip so it doesn’t stick to the diaper. Redness or irritation of the penis should heal
within a few days, but if the redness or swelling increases or if pus-filled blisters form, infection
may be present and you should call your baby’s doctor immediately.

If your son is not circumcised

Bathe his penis with a mild soap and water just like the rest of the diaper area. Don't try to pull
back the foreskin – it will gradually retract on its own, usually by his third birthday.

(Burping) Babies often swallow air during feedings, which can make them fussy. To help
prevent this, burp your baby often. Try burping your baby every 2-3 ounces (60-90 milliliters) if
you bottle-feed, and each time you switch breasts if you breastfeed.

(WHAT TO DO?)

 Hold your baby upright with his or her head on your shoulder. Support your baby’s head
and back while gently patting the back with your other hand.
 Sit your baby on your lap. Support your baby’s chest and head with one hand by cradling
your baby’s chin in the palm of your hand and resting the heel of your hand on your
baby’s chest (be careful to grip your baby’s chin, not the throat). Use the other hand to
gently pat your baby’s back.
 Lay your baby face-down on your lap. Support your baby’s head, making sure it’s higher
that his or her chest, and gently pat or rub his or her back.

If your baby doesn’t burp after a few minutes, change the baby’s position and try burping for
another few minutes before feeding again.
(SKIN CARE) Protecting delicate skin from harm is an important job for a parent. Here’s what
you’ll need to know and do.

Moisturizers

To keep your baby's skin healthy, you need to maintain its natural softness and strength. Even if
your baby's skin isn't peeling, it may benefit from using moisturizers. You can get fragrance-free
products with ingredients such as mineral oil or petroleum. If you need a recommendation you
can speak to your healthcare provider. Whatever you choose, stick with it so your baby's skin
won't have to adjust to the different blends of ingredients in various products.

Infant sun protection

Babies of all ages should stay out of direct sunlight. A baby can get sunburnt in as little as 10 to
15 minutes, even on cloudy days.

(WHAT TO DO?)

The first thing you can do to minimize exposure is clothing. Sun protective clothing rated UPF
50 is best. On warm days, dress your baby in lightweight cotton clothing that covers her arms
and legs. Make sure that she wears a wide-brimmed hat for every outing. Try to avoid going out
when the sun's rays are strongest, between 10 am and 3 pm. When outside, try to keep your
baby in the shade. It is best not to rely on sunscreen as a substitute for protective clothing or
sun avoidance. Use it to cover your baby's exposed face, hands and feet.

Baby Nail Care – protect the skin from scratches

Your baby's tiny fingernails are very thin and sharp and grow surprisingly fast! You may need to
trim them as often as twice a week. This is important since newborns can scratch their faces
with their own nails.

(WHAT TO DO?)

Use a soft emery board, baby nail clippers or baby nail scissors for trimming. (This may be easier
when your baby is asleep). To avoid snipping the fingertip skin as you trim the nail, hold her
finger firmly and press the finger pad away from the nail as you cut.

Toenails grow much more slowly and are usually very soft. They don't need to be kept as short
as fingernails – a trim once or twice a month is enough. While her toenails may appear to be in-
grown, but babies seldom suffer from this. Call your healthcare provider if the skin around the
toenails gets red, inflamed or hard.

(CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH)

Being a first time parent is surely difficult, sleepless nights, health risks, and many more can
happen throughout in the infant stage of your young. Nevertheless all your sacrifices will all be
gone just by seeing your child smiling and healthy, it serves as your another life achievement of
being able to take care of the juvenile in your very hands. Your babies should feel your tender
love and care at all times.