How to Wash Your Baby’s Hands: A Parent’s Guide
While we often focus on bigger challenges like bathing, diaper changing, and feeding, hand hygiene is an often overlooked but crucial aspect of baby care.
Your baby’s hands come into contact with numerous surfaces and objects, all containing germs. Germs that have a high probability of ending up on your baby’s face or in the mouth.
That’s why knowing how to wash your baby’s hands and regularly washing them is crucial for their overall health.
How to Clean Newborn Hands
Newborns don't need frequent handwashing, but gentle cleaning is important, especially after diaper changes or before feedings.
Here's how to wash your infant's hands with a washcloth:
- Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need a soft, clean washcloth, warm water, and mild, fragrance-free baby soap.
- Wash Your Hands First: Wash your hands first to prevent the transmission of germs to your baby.
- Warm The Water: Warm up the water before soaking the washcloth in it – the water should be warm, not hot, as hot water may irritate your baby’s skin.
- Wet the Washcloth: Soak the washcloth in warm water and wring it out.
- Clean Your Baby's Hands: With the wet washcloth, gently rub your baby's hands, making sure to get the areas between their fingers and around the nails. If necessary, you can use a very small amount of baby soap to remove the dirt.
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse with warm water and make sure to wash off any soap.
Dry Gently: Use a clean towel to pat their hands dry. Do not rub them dry to avoid hurting the skin. Make sure to dry between the fingers. This prevents moisture from irritating the skin.
Knowing how to wash your baby’s hands correctly can help prevent the spread of germs and keep your little one healthy.
How Often Should You Wash Newborn Hands?
Newborns don't need their hands washed as often as adults or older children. However, it's important to wash their hands before and after they touch anything that might be dirty.
Washing hands is also crucial before they touch something that should remain clean (like food).
Some specific times for handwashing include:
- After a diaper change, their hands can pick up germs from the changing table
- After playing with toys
- After playing outside
- After eating
- After playing with other children
- Before handling food
- Before playing with other children
Tips for Keeping Baby Hands Clean
When on the go, use gentle, baby-friendly wipes. Find fragrance-free baby wipes designed to soothe sensitive skin, ideal for quick cleans without irritation.
Avoid using harsh soaps when washing at home, as they dry out the skin. Try using a mild, non-perfumed baby soap that keeps the skin moisturized while cleaning effectively.
Regularly clean the surfaces your baby often touches, such as toys, high chairs, and playmats, to reduce the number of germs. An important step is to keep your baby's fingernails short to avoid scratches and, in return, reduce the risk of infection.
These minor steps will help your baby maintain cleaner and healthier hands throughout the day.
Why It’s Important to Wash Baby Hands Regularly
Regular handwashing is a simple but effective way to protect your baby from germs and illness. By washing their hands frequently, you can help reduce their risk of:
- Gastrointestinal Infections: They cause diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
- Respiratory Infections: These lead to colds, flu, and pneumonia.
- Skin Infections: They can cause rashes, sores, and other skin problems.
By now, you should have a clearer picture of how to wash your baby’s hands. By following these tips and making handwashing a regular part of your baby’s routine, you can help keep them healthy and happy.
FAQS
How often should I wash my baby’s hands?
You should wash your baby’s hands several times a day, especially before feeding, after diaper changes, or when touching dirty surfaces or toys.
What’s the best way to clean a newborn’s hands?
Use a soft washcloth, warm water, and mild baby soap. Gently wipe their hands and ensure they are completely dry to avoid skin irritation.
Is it safe to use hand sanitizer on my baby’s hands?
It’s best to avoid hand sanitizers for babies under 2 years old. Instead, stick to mild soap and water or baby-safe wipes.
