How to wash a 3 month old boy. Hygiene for boys: what young parents need to know. The role of oxygen in children's hygiene

02.08.2023 -

While still in the womb, the boy's genitals develop so that the head is covered by the foreskin. A child is born with a genital organ covered by a narrowed foreskin. This is called congenital physiological phimosis, it will disappear on its own by three to five years.

The foreskin and the glans are glued together by special cells. As they grow and develop, these cells gradually die off, accumulating inside. It is called childhood smegma.

Gradually, grains of smegma can come out with urine. A newborn child does not need to remove it on his own; it is not at all dangerous. Rinse with warm running water - that's enough.

Up to six months There is no need to retract the baby’s foreskin, this can cause harm and lead to microtrauma. While the baby is still in diapers, don't worry.

You just need to carefully monitor the condition of the genitals. But at the slightest redness or swelling you need to consult a doctor.

After the head will open, this happens for each child at a different age - closer to five years, the amount of smegma increases.

If you do not carry out regular and more thorough hygiene procedures, this can lead to inflammatory processes. Therefore, you need to carefully wash the areas under the foreskin.

About washing and rinsing

Many mothers think that everything couldn’t be simpler - take off the dirty diaper, wash the boy with warm soapy water and that’s it, but this is absolutely not true. If you want your son to be well-groomed and healthy, then you need to learn how to wash it properly after each diaper change.

First of all, it’s worth remembering to keep your own hands clean. When washing The direction does not matter, as some pediatricians believe, but there is another opinion - the child does not need to be held in your hand with the butt up under running water, because harmful microorganisms and germs from the anus can get onto the penis.

It is also worth remembering that when washing children under six months, categorically do not overuse soap. Excessive love for soap and all kinds of scented products causes all kinds of irritation and redness.

Using boiled water when washing your baby is overkill. It would be much more correct to use running warm water.

After swimming do not dry the child too vigorously. It is enough to simply blot the genitals with a soft towel. Excess moisture can be sprinkled with a small amount of baby powder.

As the child grows up, he will learn to go to the potty on his own and will no longer need to wash it so often, especially in winter. Once is enough - before bed.

Hot summer this procedure should be more frequent - 3-4 times a day.

Can be used cotton swabs or disks, previously soaked in warm soapy water or baby hygiene hypoallergenic wet wipes for wiping the genitals after defecation or urination.

Don't forget to use baby moisturizing oils and creams, only in moderation.

When will your son be about three years, you need to start teaching him to wash himself, thereby instilling a love of cleanliness and comfort.

What to do with the foreskin?

Parents of young sons most often ask themselves: Is it possible to move the foreskin when washing?? The main mistake many mothers make is trying to rinse the foreskin under strong pressure of water or move it away for a more thorough rinse.

Urologists are against such a strong love for purity. After all, this way you can injure the foreskin of the penis, small wounds can form, which subsequently leave scars and adhesions.

More thorough washing is permissible only a couple of times a week to prevent inflammation. To do this, you need to push back the foreskin very carefully, without pressing, and remove the white crumbs with a sterile swab, which is pre-moistened with Vaseline oil.

Make sure that no cotton fibers remain on the head. Some pediatricians recommend using chamomile decoction instead of petroleum jelly. But there are also doctors who are opposed to such radical procedures.

Circumcision- a very controversial topic among many doctors. This procedure is most likely carried out for religious or ethnic reasons, but does not in any way affect the boy's health. This is not a way to protect your baby from various diseases.

After all, nature intended that the reproductive organ be protected by the foreskin, therefore, if there are no medical indications, there is no point in interfering with the creation of mother nature.

Underwear and diapers

From childhood, a child must learn to understand his gender identity. If your house is warm, You should allow your child to sometimes go without clothes.

This kind of ventilation procedure will help the baby explore his body. His curiosity about what is below the belt is quite normal - this is what many experts think.

There is no need to pull him back; it’s easier to distract him with some activity.

For many years, mothers from all over the world have been arguing about the use of diapers. Of course, with the advent of diapers, it became much easier for parents. Instead of endlessly washing and ironing dirty diapers and clothes, mother can devote all her time to activities and games with the child.

Nowadays, the development of the diaper production industry is progressing by leaps and bounds. And special diapers for boys are no longer surprising. They are made taking into account the anatomical features of small future men.

The hygroscopic coating will allow the baby to feel dry and comfortable. Despite many years of controversy, modern diapers do not overheat boys’ testicles and do not have a negative effect on the boy’s health, much less on reproductive functions.

Discussions about the appearance of diaper dermatitis. Proper intimate hygiene and frequent diaper changes - once every three to four hours - will never lead to rashes and irritations.

But scented diapers It should be used very carefully - it is unknown how your child’s delicate skin and genitals will react to the fragrant impregnation. After a year The diaper should be replaced with panties to begin potty training your little one.

Very caring mothers who do not agree with the opinions of experts and research on this topic are extremely wary of diapers and use them in very rare cases - during long walks, on trips.

In addition to proper hygiene, mothers should not forget about underwear. Natural fabrics and free size are the main requirements for underwear.

Wash baby clothes Definitely needed in hypoallergenic powders, intended only for children's clothes, and most importantly, separately from other (adult) clothing.

When going for a walk in the winter cold, don’t try to wrap your boy up - overheating is very dangerous, because it promotes the proliferation of various pathogens.

In what cases is it necessary to consult a doctor?

Of course, we are afraid to even think about the possible illnesses of our children. But, as they say, forewarned means forearmed, and we will have to remember the symptoms for which we are obliged to rush to specialists.

Immediately after birth in the maternity hospital, your boy should be examined by an andrologist, next time you need to see this doctor at 6 years old(if no problems arise first).

Regular intimate hygiene allows you to notice rashes, redness, and swelling on the foreskin in a child in time. In this case, consultation with a urologist, andrologist, or at least a pediatrician is necessary.

With an irresponsible attitude towards intimate hygiene, your son may develop:

pathological phimosis, which differs from congenital. It appears after inflammatory processes that lead to adhesions and scars. Causes pain and discomfort in the boy;
balanoposthitis is an inflammatory disease that can be caused by irregular hygiene;
allergic reactions;
infectious diseases;
fungal infections.

So, if you notice your baby: painful and difficult urination, pain, pain, swelling in the genital area
redness or spreading of the rash, then this is a reason to visit a specialist who will suggest the correct treatment.

Can occur at any age acute testicular diseases.

Often, emergency surgical intervention may be required, so you should immediately consult a doctor if you notice at least one of the following symptoms in your child:

redness, swelling of the genitals or scrotum;
injury to the genital area;
complaints of pain;
if the child has had mumps (mumps).

If parents are responsible for the boy’s intimate hygiene, big problems should not arise.

Growing up, the child will get used to cleanliness and neatness, to comfortable, washed clothes, which will teach him to treat his body carefully throughout his life and take care of his health.

Boys' hygiene. School of Doctor Komarovsky.

Bathing for the first time

It is more convenient to bathe the baby in a special baby bath, which can be installed on a changing table or stools. In this case, the adult does not need to bend over excessively to perform the manipulations. In addition, it will take less water to fill a small container. If there is no such bath, it is quite acceptable to bathe the baby in a washed adult bath.

What needs to be prepared?

Towel

There are special children's bathing towels on sale. The shape of the product resembles a square with an additional “pocket” at one of the corners. After bathing, such a corner comfortably covers the baby’s head, and the rest of the cloth should be wrapped around the body.

The texture of children's towels is more delicate, the terry weave is smaller and thinner. Such products absorb moisture well and are more pleasant for the baby’s thin skin. This is an important factor. The skin of a newborn is several times thinner than the epidermis of an adult, do not rub wet skin - neither with a washcloth nor with a cloth. After bathing, the moisture should be blotted with a dry, clean towel, without rubbing or applying pressure.

If you have not purchased such a towel, you can use a large soft bath towel or a soft, thick flannel diaper. Additionally, prepare a small towel or cloth to blot your face.

Important! Children's bath towels do not need to be washed at high temperatures, boiled, bleached or ironed.

Such manipulations will quickly ruin the structure of the fibers. The towel will become rough and lose its absorbency.

Wash baby clothes separately with a neutral detergent. It is permissible to use a special fragrance-free conditioner. There is no need to iron the towels, since the iron “nails” the bulk fibers, which make the terry towel fluffy and airy. Deformed fibers absorb water much worse. Spin towels at low speed. After washing, shake the product and hang it flat to dry away from direct sunlight.

Detergents

At first, a newborn does not need any special means to wash the skin. The baby spends time lying down, does not sweat or get dirty. For the first baths, you only need clean warm water. If you wish, you can add a decoction of the string to the water (1 glass per bath).

A neutral baby bath product will come in handy for bathing later. For the first procedures, universal soft washing substances are produced that replace bath foam, shower gel, mild soap and shampoo.

Signs of a good product:

transparent (no dyes);
without a strong aroma (better without any flavorings at all);
certified for newborns (look for marks on the packaging);
on a natural soft detergent base (without sulfates);
without dangerous preservatives (parabens);
with a convenient dispenser (most often one hand will be free during bathing);
without intense foam (soft surfactants do not form active foam).

If you prefer soap, buy natural baby soap. Shower gel must meet the same criteria as bathing product. A newborn baby does not need shampoo– hairs are washed with a universal product.

For daily washing you need baby soap. A liquid product in a large bottle with a dispenser is more convenient. Place a bottle of soap on the sink. Next, empty the hook for a towel, which you will use to blot your skin after washing.

Water

Water temperature – from 33 to 37⁰С. The principle is this: the smaller the bath, the warmer the water. If the baby cannot move, he will freeze in cool water. If bathing is carried out in an adult bath, then the temperature can be reduced by 1⁰C weekly. Thanks to this, the body will be strengthened, and the bathed child will fall asleep faster.

There is no need to boil water. Install filters for incoming tap water. It is permissible to add herbal decoctions to the bath, but this is not necessary - such a measure will not provide any special therapeutic effect, and will add hassle.

Attention! Do not add potassium permanganate and salt to the water. The skin will lose moisture faster.

Additional inventory

A special stand will be useful for the hygienic procedure. with a raised area for the head or a foam base for the bath.

If there are no such accessories, place a folded diaper on the bottom to prevent the baby from slipping. If your baby is actively frolicking in a large bathtub, purchase a special circle to keep the head above the water. Buy a thermometer to check the water temperature.

For hygiene procedures after bathing you will need:

cotton wool;
cotton pads;
clean diaper;
baby cream or powder;
clean clothes.

Get everything ready before you start swimming. The baby must not be left unattended– all the little things need to be thought through and laid out in advance.

How to wash the foreskin?

Let's look at how to properly wash the genitals of a newborn baby - a boy.

Before circumcision

Until 3-5 years of age, the head of the penis is covered by the foreskin. This condition is called physiological phimosis. Genital hygiene in little boys differs from the principles of sexual hygiene in adult men.

The foreskin should not be forcibly moved, exposing the head. This can lead to injury, inflammation and paraphimosis. Paraphimosis is pinching of the head as a result of forced exposure. The foreskin is not elastic until a certain time, so it puts a lot of pressure on the tissue. This condition requires immediate surgical intervention.

Taking into account the structural features, washing involves caring for the external genitalia. Do not move the foreskin while trying to rinse the glans. Before opening, this area is protected by smegma, which has strong antibacterial properties. If the lubricant is removed, the likelihood of inflammation and infection will increase.

To carry out the hygiene procedure, place the baby with his tummy on the forearm of his left hand. The head should rest on your hand. Place your palm around the baby's right leg. Rinse the genital area and anal fold with warm water.

If the baby is not particularly dirty, you should not use soap every time - delicate skin is covered with a protective fatty lubricant, which is destroyed upon contact with foam. Rinse the groin area from the penis to the butt. Rub the tip of the penis lightly without making any effort. Rinse all folds thoroughly.

If you are afraid to wash your baby under running water, or this is not possible, then wash your baby on the changing table. Dip a small towel or cotton pads into a container of warm water and gently scrub the groin from the genitals to the anus. If there is no water, use wet wipes.

After washing, wet skin should be blotted with a dry cloth. Don't rub. Dry the folds thoroughly.

Leave your baby without a diaper or clothes for 10 minutes if the room is warm. The skin needs air baths.

If you notice irritation, treat the inflamed areas. For wet redness, use powder. For dry skin - baby cream or oil.

After circumcision

After the circumcision procedure, the boy’s foreskin is washed, taking into account additional nuances:

Every time you change the baby's diaper, you need to wash it with water without soap;
crusts and films on the surface of the penis should not be disturbed;
Take special care when drying your skin - find the softest and most absorbent materials possible;
Protect your skin with Vaseline before putting on a diaper.

Check with your doctor to see if your baby needs to be given anesthetics.

Features of butt care

When washing your butt, you should thoroughly rinse all the folds., directing movements from the genitals to the butt. In case of heavy soiling, additionally use mild, fragrance-free soap. Otherwise, the procedure is similar to regular washing. Until your baby's umbilical wound heals, it is important to ensure that water and detergents do not get on the navel.

How to properly bathe a male baby?

The first bathing in the bath occurs after the baby’s umbilical wound has healed and the umbilical cord has come off - approximately 10-12 days.

Time for the procedure: evening, before the last feeding until bedtime.

Duration of the first procedure: 7-8 minutes(Komarovsky recommends starting with 15 minutes).

Frequency of bathing: 2-3 times a week (according to Komarovsky - every evening).

Do not bathe an irritated or upset baby. Bathing should evoke pleasant associations.

Prepare everything you need for bathing, hygiene procedures and changing clothes.
Wash the bathtub with a mild detergent.
Fill the tub or tub with warm, clean water.
Add herbal decoction (optional).
Place a diaper folded in several layers at the bottom of the plastic bath or use a slide, stand or foam backing.
If you are bathing in a large bathtub, it is permissible to bathe in a special inflatable collar that holds the head above the surface of the water.
Undress the baby.
If there is a “surprise” under the diaper, wash the boy before bathing.
Place the baby in the bath - on a stand or diaper. The water level should be such that the chest and head protrude above the water. If there are no special devices, place the baby with his back on his forearm. The butt should be in the palm of your hand or lower.
Talk to the baby while pouring warm water over its body. Be careful not to get any splashes in your face - it's scary.
Wash the baby with water from the palm of your hand, carefully wetting the head and chest. Gently rinse your neck under your chin.
Do not rub your baby with washcloths or sponges - the skin of a newborn is very thin and vulnerable. For the first baths, you only need warm water.

Actions after the procedure

Remove residual moisture from the skin

Wrap the baby in a towel. Do not rub or press on the skin. Just wait until the moisture is absorbed into the fabric.

After placing the baby on the bed or changing table, blot all folds and remove moisture from the perineum and hair.

Processing folds

Let's clarify right away: healthy skin does not need to be lubricated or sprinkled with anything.

In what cases is cream needed? If you notice irritated areas of a dry structure - with crusts, a rough surface, then lubricate the damaged areas with baby cream. Diaper cream is perfect. Such products contain zinc, which copes well with irritation and covers inflamed areas with a protective film.

The cream can be replaced with baby oil. Choose a product without mineral oils. Mineral oils (paraffin) are petroleum products. They do “lock” moisture into the skin, but they lock it in along with everything else. The skin needs to breathe and remove sweat and toxins. The impermeable film interferes with the normal functioning of the skin. Study the ingredients on the label. If you don’t find a good product on the store shelves, treat your baby’s skin with neutral base vegetable oil (olive, sunflower).

When is powder needed? Sprinkle should be applied to wet and damp inflamed areas, that is, those areas that need to be further dried. Use the product in moderation, do not raise a cloud of talc - such powders can be harmful to health if inhaled.

All products are applied in a thin layer and only to those areas that require treatment. If redness and irritation have passed, stop lubricating and powdering.

Removing water from ears

Attention! Do not use regular cotton swabs - there is a high risk of injuring the eardrum and infecting the middle ear.

You can remove water from your ears:

special cotton swabs for children, which have a special thickening that does not allow inserting the instrument deeper than permissible;
homemade cotton wool pads - twist a thick flagellum from cotton wool, insert it into the ear canal, the cotton wool will absorb moisture.

Important nuances

Do not wash your baby while bathing– active contact of water on the face along with movements will scare the baby. Therefore, the face should be washed separately, simultaneously with hygiene procedures that complete bathing.

Soak cotton pads in warm water and gently wipe your face. Pay attention to the eyes - movements should be directed towards the nose. If there is souring, rinse each eye with a separate cotton pad. Clean the nasal passages with cotton pads. Separately rinse the ears and the area behind the ears.

If necessary, you can cut your nails using children's scissors with rounded edges. Small clippers are used for toenails. Slightly round the nails on your hands, and cut them strictly straight on your toes.

If there are crusts on the baby's head, an hour before bathing, lubricate the dry areas with vegetable or baby oil. When bathing, wash your hair with a mild cleanser. After bathing, remove the softened crusts with a soft brush.

Opinion of E. O. Komarovsky

The pediatrician believes that a newborn should be bathed in a large, adult bathtub. The main purpose of the procedure is to tire the baby before bedtime. Evgeniy Olegovich recommends gradually reducing the temperature of the bathing water so that the baby becomes more active during bathing, becomes tired and cold. After such stress, the baby will eat with appetite and fall asleep for 6-9 hours.

The recommended bathing temperature is 33-34⁰С (for a large bathtub where there is room for movement) and 36⁰С for a small plastic bathtub. Every week, reduce the temperature by 1⁰C, bringing it to 21-26⁰C. Bathing time is at least 15 minutes, gradually increase to 30-40 minutes. It's worth bathing every day. You should not carry out the procedure if the child has a fever.

Water should not be treated specifically, it is enough if the apartment has filters that purify tap water. You can add a glass of string decoction to the water. There is no need to boil water for bathing.

It is quite normal if the baby periodically dives during bathing. Before the baby is 2-3 months old, there is a strong breath holding reflex when in contact with liquid. Diving helps clear the airways. If your baby drinks water during the procedure, you should offer your baby some drinking water before bathing. Water getting into the ears also does not cause any complications. After bathing, dry the external ear canals using cotton wool.

After bathing, the child’s body needs to be wet and the condition of the skin inspected. Healthy skin does not require additional treatment. If necessary, damaged areas need to be treated. Basic rule: dry - moisturize (cream, oil), wet - dry (powder, talc).

Consequences of careless intimate hygiene

If the genitals of a newborn are handled carelessly, the baby may be harmed. Don't pull back your foreskin in pursuit of perfect cleanliness. Nature has taken much better care of the security of closed areas. Smegma will not allow infection to develop, but if the protective lubricant is removed, problems cannot be avoided. The foreskin can become inflamed and fuse with the glans, which subsequently leads to the need for circumcision.

If you forcefully expose the head, the narrow foreskin will lead to swelling and inflammation, holding a delicate area of the body in a vice. In this case, surgery cannot be avoided.

Overuse of active detergents can cause dry skin and dermatitis.

bathe only a calm, satisfied child in a good mood;
do not overheat the water and the room;
do not use detergents unless really necessary;
do not boil water;
do not treat water with potassium permanganate;
do not iron towels;
do not add salt to bathing water;
do not bathe a sick baby with a fever;
Do not bathe a baby with an unhealed umbilical wound.

Useful video

You can clearly see the procedure for bathing a newborn boy by watching the video:

A positive attitude from adults plays an important role in caring for your baby.. If mom and dad like to bathe the baby, the new family member will feel it and will look forward to evening water treatments.

So the long-awaited baby... heir... boy was born. The new daddy is especially happy about this event, and mommy begins to have questions about how the hygiene of the newborn boy is carried out.

Hygiene of a newborn boy

Standard general hygiene at home for a newborn baby is carried out regardless of the sex of the child and includes the following actions:

Daily facial care: wash the child’s face with a cotton swab soaked in clean boiled water.
Daily eye care - wipe the child's eyes with light movements from the outer corner of the eyes to the inner corner using a damp cotton swab.
Daily nasal care - clean your child's nose from dried mucus crusts. ()
Daily ear care: Clean only the outer ear with a cotton swab. ()
Daily care of the navel - drop 1 drop of chlorophyllipt solution with a pipette and gently blot the excess with a cotton swab. Care is necessary only until the umbilical wound heals; in the future it will no longer be required. ()
Nail care - trim as they grow on the fingers and toes. ()
Washing the child after each bowel movement. If a young mother is afraid to wash her baby’s bottom under the tap at first, then at first you can use baby wipes or just a damp soft cloth. After cleansing the skin, it is necessary to treat the folds in the groin area with one of the children's products - powder or oil (cream). You should not use soap, even baby soap, so as not to dry out the delicate skin of a small child and deprive it of its protective layer.
Bathing your baby daily in a baby bath. A baby bath is needed more for the comfort of a young mother and for bathing a child in infusions of herbs (chain, pine needles, etc.). At the end of the newborn period and if there is a large bathtub in the apartment, it is better to carry out water procedures in a common bathtub, previously washed with simple laundry soap.

About swimming:

Necessary hygiene items for a newborn baby:

Disposable diapers. Diapers should be selected according to the size (weight of the child), and not rub or squeeze the child’s skin.
Disposable diapers with an absorbent top layer. These diapers are convenient for baby's air baths.
Disposable wet wipes.
Baby powder.
Baby oil (cream) or simply boiled olive (vegetable) oil in a water bath.
Cotton swabs and cotton buds.
Chlorophyllipt for treating the umbilical wound. An alternative is a solution of hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green.
Pipette.
Scissors with a rounded edge or special tweezers.
Pharmaceutical herbs for bathing (string, pine needles, etc.).
Bepanthen ointment for redness and diaper rash or a more budget-friendly but effective option - Boro-plus ointment.
Soft baby towel. It is very convenient to use a towel with a pocket-cap for the child’s head.
Baby soap. You will also need soap, but later, when the baby starts crawling.

Intimate hygiene of a newborn boy

Intimate hygiene of newborn boys includes care for the foreskin, penis and scrotum. What is this hygiene process:

Note to moms!

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Daily washing of the penis and scrotum with plain clean water without soap or other cosmetics at each diaper change and when bathing the baby.
Treating the inguinal folds around the penis and scrotum with baby powder or oil (cream).
Frequently changing disposable diapers and periodically keeping the child without diapers while taking air baths.
Use underwear for babies (diapers, panties) exclusively from natural materials - cotton fabric, flannel.

ALL! There is no need to perform any further manipulations with the baby’s foreskin and penis.

What What NOT to do during daily hygiene of a newborn:

Try to forcefully retract the foreskin yourself and open the head of the baby’s penis. In infants, the foreskin is naturally fused to the head of the penis. This is a completely normal phenomenon called physiological phimosis in newborn boys. The foreskin moves gradually and independently over time. The timing for each child is individual and full opening of the head of the penis can only be completed during puberty.
Use soap to wash the newborn's foreskin. Soap causes irritation and redness of the delicate thin skin of the foreskin.
Try to get cotton swabs under the foreskin to clean the glans from infant smegma. Smegma comes out on its own during urination.
Place baby oil under the foreskin.

Ekaterina Morozova

Reading time: 7 minutes

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With newborn girls, young mothers usually do not have any hygienic problems - everything is extremely simple. But the hygiene of a newborn boy has its own characteristics. What does mom need to know and how to wash her tiny man correctly?

The first rule is to wash your baby regularly after each diaper change. The foreskin of a newborn boy is narrowed (physiological phimosis) - this feature will go away on its own after 3-5 years. Inside the foreskin there are sebaceous glands that produce lubricant. And if you get by only with evening bathing, ignoring washing the baby after changing the diaper, then favorable conditions are created under the foreskin for the proliferation of bacteria that cause inflammatory processes.

Removal of smegma. The sebaceous glands inside the foreskin secrete a special secretion - it, in turn, accumulates in the foreskin sac, forming smegma (white flakes, unpleasant odor). When smegma accumulates, it can lead to balanoposthitis (inflammatory process of the glans penis, signs - swelling of the skin covering the glans, redness, crying of the baby). To avoid troubles, in addition to superficial toileting, you need to remember to remove smegma every night (if necessary). How to do it? Pull back the foreskin slightly (without pressing, gently) with two fingers; Use a swab soaked in boiled vegetable oil to remove all smegma so that no lint or pieces of cotton remain; lubricate the head with a drop of the same oil; lower the foreskin. It is forbidden to lather the head of the penis, reach under the foreskin with cotton swabs, or try to clean out the smegma with your fingers.

If the skin of the foreskin turns red. In this situation, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or dioxidine (consultation with a doctor is required!): Gently push back the foreskin, treat the inflamed skin with a swab dipped in potassium permanganate.
Give your baby plenty of water. The more often you urinate, the lower the risk of urethral inflammation.

The nuances of washing. Washing the baby is carried out with running warm water, with soft and gentle movements: first they wash the butt, then lay the baby on the elbow and direct the stream from the penis to the scrotum. To avoid drying out the skin, do not use soap. If the remains of feces are not completely washed away, do not rub the baby with a washcloth - the skin is still too tender! Place the baby on the changing table and gently clean the skin with a cotton pad soaked in the same boiled vegetable oil (store the oil in the refrigerator).
Air baths. Immediately after washing, do not rush to put the diaper on your baby. 10-15 minutes of air baths in a warm room will do him good.

To avoid diaper rash and rashes, do not forget to treat the groin folds with suitable products. (cream, powder or vegetable oil). You cannot use powder on areas that have already been treated with oil or cream - the resulting lumps can damage the skin. Diaper rash remedies are usually applied to the buttocks and testicles, around the anus, on the scrotum and around the penis.
Remember to change diapers every 3 hours and immediately after a bowel movement. The longer the baby lies in a filled diaper, the higher the risk of inflammation - be attentive to the baby’s hygiene.

Don't overheat your baby's bottom. Even in winter, you shouldn’t dress your little one in “cabbage”, putting on tights and a couple more pants “for comfort.” Overheating has consequences. Therefore, use thermal underwear, choose clothes that fit (not tight!) and only from natural fabrics.
Bathing a little man should take place every day before bed. (no soap). 1-2 times a week you can bathe the baby with herbs (chamomile, chamomile). It is not recommended to add bubble bath. Soap is used once a week (on “bath” day), and it should only be used for the baby.

Before moving your baby's foreskin for hygiene procedures, consult your doctor. Each baby has its own physiological characteristics, and your main task is to maintain hygiene without harm to the baby. During the first baths, try to only slightly expose the head, gently and quickly rinse with water and again “hide” it under the foreskin. You need to move the foreskin (as carefully as possible), no matter what your “girlfriends” advise. Firstly, this is a matter of hygiene, and secondly, this should be done to avoid the formation of adhesions. But rough interference is strictly prohibited - be extremely careful.

Contact your doctor if...

The scrotum is swollen, painful, and there is redness.
I had mumps (mumps).
There was a perineal injury.
There is swelling and redness of the penis.
There is urinary retention.
The head does not close.

Be attentive to your baby and do not neglect the rules of hygiene.

All information in this article is provided for educational purposes only; it may not correspond to the specific circumstances of your child's health, and does not constitute medical advice. The website сolady.ru reminds you that you should never delay or ignore visiting a doctor!

When their first son is born, many mothers are faced with a problem: how to properly care for a tiny boyish “tool” so as not to harm their health and at the same time provide the baby with high-quality and regular care for the perineal area? Let's look at how to properly wash a boy, how to care for the genitals of a newborn, and what experts say, for example, Dr. Komarovsky.

Physiological structure of the baby

The genital organ of newborns and infants is significantly different from that of an adult. The foreskin of the penis is connected to the head and reliably protects the latter from mechanical damage and contamination. This is the so-called physiological phimosis. Smegma, secreted by special glands, has antimicrobial properties, which prevents infection from entering the genitourinary canal.

From birth to 3 years of age, adhesion of the foreskin and glans is usually observed up to the urethral opening. By the age of five, the head is already half exposed. Complete release of the head becomes possible only by the age of 8–10 years.

The principle of non-interference

Nature provides natural protection for the baby's most delicate places. Therefore, the most correct thing in the hygiene of a boy’s intimate places is to adhere to the following principle: don’t touch anything! That is, the less you interfere, the stronger his male health will be.

As the toddler grows, the foreskin gradually separates from the edge of the head and becomes more mobile. Do not be tempted to pull back the skin in order to wash with soap something that is not worth touching at all. Forced retraction of the foreskin at such a tender age is fraught with serious trouble.

Dr. Komarovsky: “In modern medical practice, in all pediatric associations and communities without exception, this manipulation has long been recognized as unnecessary, incorrect and traumatic. But often there are still doctors, probably respected and experienced, but at the same time conservative, who still advise some mothers to mechanically retract and spread the foreskin of their little sons, supposedly “for training purposes.” “Alas, it is precisely such training that sometimes ends in serious injury.”

The most serious complication resulting from incorrect intervention is paraphimosis.. This is a condition in which the foreskin slips off the head of the penis and squeezes it tightly at the base. It is not always possible to return the skin to its place on your own. The head quickly swells and if the child does not receive timely assistance, necrosis of the head of the penis may develop. Unfortunately, necrosis often ends in partial or complete amputation of a vital organ.

Caring for a boy’s genital organs: Dr. Komarovsky

How to properly wash a boy in the first year of life

So, how can you take care of your boy’s hygiene so as not to harm the baby’s health? The main hygiene procedure for infants is washing. Despite the simplicity of the process, many inexperienced parents often do not know how to do it correctly.

What supplies are needed for baby hygiene?

baby wipes;
paper towels;
baby oil (or any vegetable oil);
diapers (cloth or disposable);
cotton wool or gauze;
diapers (disposable or natural cloth)
a small container of water at room temperature (cup, bowl)

Babies need to be washed immediately after each bowel movement, since enzymes and bacteria contained in feces can irritate the delicate skin of both the perineum and genitals, and cause inflammation.

How to wash a newborn in the maternity hospital?

In the maternity hospital, the medical staff cleans newborns twice a day. Between these procedures, the mother takes responsibility for the baby’s cleanliness.

You can wash your baby under the tap in the sink, or you can clean the skin of feces right on the changing table. It is, of course, better to wash your butt with running water, but, unfortunately, our maternity hospitals do not always have all the conditions for this. In addition, a young mother may feel insecure and fear of doing something wrong. You can gain experience in the comfort of your home, but for now let’s look at how you can take care of your baby’s cleanliness right in the room.

Follow approximately this sequence of actions:

As soon as you notice that the baby has pooped, place him with his back on the diaper.
Unfasten the diaper and, lifting the baby by the legs with one hand, pull the used diaper out from under the baby's bottom.
Wipe the boy's perineum and genitals from feces in the direction from the pubis to the tailbone with a damp cloth or a piece of gauze moistened with water.
If you washed your baby with water, gently blot off any remaining water with a paper towel. Pay special attention to folds.
If there are particles of dried feces left, wipe the contaminated areas with cotton wool or gauze soaked in baby oil.
If necessary, apply baby cream or powder and put on a diaper.

Let us repeat: under no circumstances should you try to pull back the foreskin and expose the head of the newborn’s penis in order to “put things in order there.”

In the first days, remnants of vernix may be observed in the baby’s folds. You should not scrub it vigorously - it will gradually wash off as a result of daily hygiene procedures. In addition, this lubricant is the best baby cream and protects the sensitive skin of a newborn in a new environment. Don't worry that the grease will become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you regularly keep your sensitive areas clean, you will be fine.

How to wash your baby under the tap - step by step diagram

The most convenient way to wash your baby is using a tap with running water. To do this you need:

Remove the diaper.
Place the child on the forearm of one hand so that the baby lies on it with his chest, and your bent arm covers him under the armpits.
Go with your baby to the sink, open the tap with your free hand and adjust the water temperature: it should be at room temperature or slightly higher.
Place the baby's bottom under running water and use your free hand to wash the boy's perineum and genitals.
Blot the water with a towel in all folds.
If there are particles of dried feces left, wipe with a cotton swab dipped in vegetable oil.

Infants do not need detergents in the first months of life. On the contrary, soaps and gels can cause dry skin, irritation and allergic reactions. It is better to wash the child with plain water, using soap only in case of severe contamination.

Video: how to conveniently wash your baby under the tap

Ventilation

Disposable diapers are a wonderful invention that makes life easier for millions of moms and dads every day. Now it’s even difficult to imagine how you can do without this useful thing. Unfortunately, you often have to pay a high price for convenience.

The reproductive organs of boys are designed in such a way that the gonads are located outside the body to maintain optimal temperature. And if the little boy is in a diaper around the clock, the testicles are constantly overheating, which can negatively affect his reproductive health in the future. In addition, the lack of natural ventilation and high humidity are an ideal environment for pathogenic flora. Boys who wear diapers for a long time without a break are more likely to suffer from diseases such as candidiasis and balanoposthitis.

Therefore, remove the diaper more often, allowing your baby to feel freer and his delicate skin to breathe.

When should you consult a doctor?

Your little one has no problems with urination, no inflammation or redness, nothing hurts or itches - great! In this case, his genital organ does not require any additional care procedures, other than the usual washing with water. In this case, it does not matter whether the head of his penis has opened or not yet.

Unfortunately, sometimes situations arise in which it is impossible to do without the qualified help of a doctor. And the sooner you visit a doctor, the better for your little boy. Such situations include:

the baby has difficulty urinating;
there is pain when urinating;
there are signs of inflammation on the genitals - redness, swelling, pain and itching;
paraphimosis.

If paraphimosis occurs, try to correct the situation yourself: apply cold to the penis to reduce swelling of the glans and try to return the foreskin to its place. If this fails, immediately run to a pediatric surgeon. This is a case where every minute of delay can be very costly.

The hygiene of a boy’s genital organs has its own characteristics. But armed with knowledge and experience, you will be able to carry out daily care procedures easily and joyfully, which will bring you and your son even closer together.