Topping and tailing is another alternative to a baby bath. Though you shouldn’t neglect bathing your baby, topping and tailing can prove very useful sometimes. You may want to top and tail instead of bathing your baby sometimes. There are, however, some things you need to know before topping and tailing. Yes, it is an easier alternative, it seems, but that doesn’t make it any simpler. Before you can start this for your baby, you must ensure you know what you should and shouldn’t do. You should also know when it is preferable to opt for this rather than a bath. Here’s all you need to know about topping and tailing.
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Useful In The First Week
Topping and tailing is useful for the first week or two until the umbilical heals. After your baby’s first bath, you may prefer to top and tail for a week before you start giving you new-born a full water bath. It is also advisable as the baby needs to retain as much body heat as possible. Giving them a water bath could give them a bit of a chill so you might prefer to opt for a top and tail. Though, you need to ensure that the room is warm. You could also wrap the baby’s legs in a warm towel while you clean the head. Then partly cover the upper body while cleaning the bottom.
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Useful When The Weather Is Very Cold
Sometimes the weather is too cold for a bath. In this case, you can opt for a top and tail routine to help keep your baby warm. Though, you shouldn’t neglect bathing your baby because the weather is too cold. You want to ensure that your baby doesn’t get too cold so you top and tail. You need to make sure the room you’re in is warm. You should also use warm water since you’re trying to keep them comfy. Press the washcloth to get as much of the water out as possible before wiping the baby. Also, cover the parts you are not cleaning while you wipe other parts.
Switching On Regular Days
You could still opt for a top and tail if your baby has passed his/her first weeks and the weather isn’t cold. Just make sure not to do it too often that you completely neglect giving your baby a proper bath. After all, a proper bath will take care of some dirt that a top and tail might not be able to. You could top and tail today and then tomorrow give your baby a regular bath. A bath 2-3 times a week will do. You shouldn’t go for more than three days without bathing your baby. You should top and tail sparingly, and if you won’t be bathing your baby for the whole day, you should do it at least twice that day.
What You Need
You will need a few things for a proper top and tail routine. You should get a clean mat, washcloths, a basin of water by the side, cotton balls and clean diapers and clothes. You could get a waste bin to throw the cotton balls into to avoid your baby putting getting a hold of one and putting in their mouth. You could use a bathtub, but a mat is preferable as it allows you to lie the baby flat. The water should be warm. You should use a thermometer to check the temperature before using it to be sure that it isn’t too hot or too cold.
The Process
To top and tail, first, take off the baby’s clothes. You can also leave the t-shirt on if the weather is too cold. Hold them on your knee or put them on the mat. They should be wrapped in a clean towel. Use the bowl of water to wet the washcloth of cotton wool and use it to wipe the eyes. Wipe going in the opposite direction of the nose. Clean the rest of the baby’s body: the face, neck, hands, and feet. Dry them immediately after you wash them. Don’t forget to clean the umbilical cord. Lastly, wash your baby’s bottom. You might want to use a bit more water here. So you can make sure it’s thoroughly cleaned.
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Use A Different Cotton Wool For Different Parts
When cleaning your baby, don’t use the same cotton wool for all the parts. For instance, when you clean one eye with a cotton ball, then you should use another one for the other eye. You do this to avoid getting the dirt you cleaned from one part rubbing off on another part. Since you are not water washing your baby, dirt can easily rub off from the material you’re using from one part of the baby’s body to another part. So it is preferable to use different cotton balls. If you’re using a washcloth, just turn it and use a clean part of it.
Use Water Without Soap
The essence of topping and tailing is to get your baby clean without having to give them a full bath. For this reason, you shouldn’t have to use soap. Simply use water, clean towels, and cotton wool. If you use soap or any shampoo products, then you will need to wash your baby with running water. That defeats the whole purpose of the topping and tailing. Don’t worry, it’s ok. Your baby will be just as clean as if you had bathed them. So avoid using soap, unless you want to give your baby an actual bath.
Never Insert Anything In The Ear
You should be careful when cleaning the baby’s head. Start with the eyes. Gently wipe the head all around. Pay extra attention to the ears. Clean the back of the ears gently and wipe over the top. Make sure to use different cotton wools for each part. Do not insert anything in your baby’s ear canals. Don’t use cotton buds to clean your baby’s ears. You can simply use a ball of cotton wool to clean over it, but not inside. This is very important to remember. This is a very delicate part and any mistakes made could end up being detrimental to your baby’s health.
For Boys
If your baby is a boy then you should simply wipe the private parts. You should also leave this for last to avoid bacteria transferring to other parts of the body. To clean the private parts, gently hold one leg up and clean that side of the crotch. Hold the other leg up and clean that side too. Baby’s private parts self-clean. You should avoid pulling back the foreskin to clean your baby’s penis. Ensure you use another ball of cotton wool or towel from the one you use for other parts to wipe the baby’s private parts.
Put On A Fresh Diaper
After every cleaning routine, you should put on a clean diaper. Even if your baby didn’t soil the previous one, you should change it when you clean them. Some people prefer to top and tail with the baby’s diapers on, but if that’s the first one you’re giving your child for that day and you don’t plan on bathing them, then you should take the diapers off. When you clean them for the second time you can do it with the diaper on. Just ensure not to return the one they were wearing before you cleaned them. You should also change diapers every 2 to 3 hours to avoid diaper rash.
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