Topping and tailing is an important part of baby bath time care. It is a good alternative for when you don’t need or don’t have time to give your baby a full tub bath. There are certain things you need to know when it comes to topping and tailing. Things to avoid doing. We almost always top and tail during the baby’s first weeks until the umbilical cord falls off. When we haven’t started giving them a tub bath. It is important to understand the distinction between this and a tub bath and why we shouldn’t do what we do in a tub bath when topping and tailing. Below are 10 scenarios where you could be getting it wrong.
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Don’t Substitute Topping And Tailing For Baths
Do not substitute bathing with topping and tailing. The reason we resort to topping and tailing is that you shouldn’t bathe your baby every day. But that does not mean you should go for weeks without giving your baby a proper bath. Topping and tailing is an excellent way of ensuring your baby is relatively clean. But, it is no substitute for baths. Baths clean much more than topping and tailing, so don’t get comfortable so much that you start neglecting actual baths. Unless it’s the baby’s first week and you haven’t yet started giving them tub baths.
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Do Not Use Soap When Topping And Tailing
Use only water when topping and tailing. Do not use soap, except for mild baby soap. Using a lot of soap on the baby will be too harsh on their delicate skin. You may want to use soap because it seems like it would do well to clean the baby better, avoid this. You can use a mild cleanser for the process. But, then you should have two basins. One for the water with the cleanser and the other should be plain. Use two washcloths. When you clean the baby with the cleanser water, rinse her clean with the plain water washcloth. Ensure to squeeze washcloths well.
Topping And Tailing For Girls
You shouldn’t try to clean the inside of your baby girl’s vulva. Doing so can cause infection. When cleaning the vulva, wipe from the front to the back. Use a fresh sheet of cotton wool for each wipe. This way you can avoid the transfer of germs from the anus to the vagina. When you’ve cleaned the vulva well, lift her ankles with one hand and wipe the bottom. Then the back of the thighs. You should also ensure that you clean her legs and feet. Remember to use a fresh sheet of cotton for each wipe. It prevents the transfer of dirt.
Topping And Tailing For Boys
The same way a girl can get infected, so also a boy can catch infections. When cleaning the genital area of boys you should cover the rest of their bodies. If the boy is uncircumcised, wash the penis. When you wipe, it should be from front to back. Avoid pulling back the foreskin when you clean for an uncircumcised boy during topping and tailing. You may tear his skin. If the boy is circumcised then watch carefully for signs of infection. The genital area self-cleans. There is no need to go the extra mile, because over-diligence may cause more problems than it fixes.
Avoid Reusing Diapers
Do not reuse diapers. Though you’re not giving your baby a full bath, it does not mean you should put a dirty diaper on your clean baby’s bum. Ensure that you change the diaper, regardless of whether they pooped in it or not. You want to make sure they are fresh and dandy when you get them dressed. You should also wash their bottom first in the case where they’ve used the diaper. After that then follow the procedures for topping and tailing. While cleaning your baby, it is advisable to keep the diaper loosely in place in case they need to poop or pee. Once you’ve cleaned the area last, put on the clean diaper.
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Cleansers
Topping and tailing may sometimes be supplemented with a cleanser. Do not use normal soap, as it can be harsh on a baby’s skin. You can check that the cleansers are good and safe for use on the baby’s skin. Do not use products you’ve not checked properly. If it was recommended to you, still check it out well before using it. Do not use cleaners that have alcohol, fragrances, parabens, and triclosan in them. You can check for the ingredients to avoid in baby bath products. These ingredients are harmful to the baby. Some of them are skin irritants that do not have any substantial benefits at all.
Using Cotton Balls
When topping and tailing, do not use the same ball of cotton wool twice. Use a different one each time. You can use a ball of cotton wool to clean one eye, then use another one to clean the other eye. Using the same ball of cotton wool for both eyes can result in the transfer of dirt from one eye to the other. You end up causing more problems than you’re trying to get rid of. When cleaning the genitalia, use each ball of cotton wool for only a single wipe. Wiping twice can cause the transfer of germs. So, use a ball of cotton wool only once.
The Water
When topping and tailing, the water must be boiled properly. Don’t just warm the water and use it to bathe your baby. Ensure to boil it. You would check the temperature of course. But the reason for boiling the water is to kill germs and other microorganisms in it. If you’re going to make use of tap water then turn on the hot water faucet first, then the cold water faucet. Turn them off the same way, hot water faucet first, then cold water faucet. The water must be clean. If you notice the water getting cloudy and nasty, dump it out and get fresh water before continuing.
The Temperature
You are to check the temperature of the water before usage. There are many types of thermometers you can use to do this. It is not advisable to use your hand to check the water temperature if you’re to use it for your baby. But, in the case where you do not have a thermometer (you should get one as soon as you can) then use your elbow to check instead of your hand. When topping and tailing, the water shouldn’t be hot and it should not be cold. It should be lukewarm. With a thermometer, the temperature should be 98 – 100 F.
The Umbilical Stump
Most times when we start topping and tailing a baby it’s their first week. That means we most likely have not yet started giving them tub baths. The reason for this is because the umbilical stump has not yet fallen off. This is because you want to avoid the umbilical stump getting wet to avoid infections. So to avoid doing the same thing when topping and tailing, ensure the washcloth you use to wipe dirt off it is properly squeezed. After wiping, ensure that you pat it dry. The umbilical stump should always be kept dry and covered with soft clothing that won’t catch on it.
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