Topping, Tailing And Trimming: 13 Rules For Keeping Your Baby Clean

From topping and tailing your newborn to cleaning his ears, there are a couple of babycare basics that all new parents need to get clued up on.

Use this simple checklist as a guide to make sure you cover all areas and keep your baby as clean as possible - he’ll soon boast that delish new baby smell again.

1. Do Start By Topping And Tailing
This is ideal if you’re a new, and nervous, parent as it means you don’t have to give your bub a full-on bath. It basically refers to giving your baby's hands, face and bottom a daily wash.

2. Don’t Forget His Eyes, Ears And Nose
As tiny as they are, your little one’s eyes, ears and nose could do with a daily clean, too. “To clean his nose, use a clean bit of cotton wool and dip this into warm water, wiping outwards gently. Do the same for each eye but make sure you use a different piece of cotton wool for each of them,” says Lulubaby antenatal and baby massage practitioner Amanda Thompson.

“The ears can also be done this way too, but to ensure that you use a clean piece of cotton wool and that you just wipe gently around the ear, being careful not to stick anything inside the ear itself.”

Never be tempted to use cotton wool buds as these can cause damage to your baby’s tiny ears.

3. Do What Suits Your Baby
Your health visitor will probably suggest that you bath your baby two or three times a week, but if your baby really enjoys it then there’s no harm in doing it slightly more. Equally, your little one may hate being bathed and you may need to settle for one all-over wash each week.

4. Do Bathe Your Baby At The Right Time
It’s best to avoid giving your little one a bath when he’s hungry, tired or just eaten – especially if he’s not a fan of the water. Instead, incorporate bath time into your little one’s bedtime routine and use it as a way to help soothe and relax him so he sleeps, excuse the pun, like a baby!

5. Don’t Go Crazy With Products
Generally speaking, less is more on your baby’s skin and water is best for the first month of your baby’s life at least. If you do want to use products, try to opt for natural ones over those that contain chemicals, dyes or fragrances.

“The more natural the product the better it is for your baby’s skin,” says Amanda. “If your baby suffers from dry skin then a baby bath emollient can be used and you could try baby massage with a massage grade organic vegetable oil – sunflower oil is very good.”

6. Do Keep His Bedding Clean
Your baby’s bedding should be changed often – you’ll probably find that sometimes you need to swap it over daily, as baby’s do tend to make a mess. Use an enzyme-free washing powder to avoid irritating your baby’s delicate skin.

7. Do Clean His Nappy Area
For the first two weeks of your baby’s life, stick to using warm water and cotton wool to clean your baby’s bottom. After this, you can use baby wipes if you wish but try to avoid ones that contain lots of perfume or nasty chemicals.

“Girls should be cleaned from front to back to avoid getting germs into the vagina,” says Amanda. “Boys should be cleaned around the testicles and penis, but there’s no need to pull back the foreskin.

“If your baby’s bottom has red patches or indeed feels a little warm or sore all over, this could be nappy rash, so a barrier cream can be used. If this happens it is a good idea to lay your baby safely on a towel and to have some nappy off time, to allow the air to circulate and get to the skin.”

8. Do Wash His Hair
Cup your hand of warm water and gently pour it over your baby’s head every time you give him a bath – while taking care to avoid getting water in his eyes. Alternatively, you can lie your baby on a towel and do the same.

9. Don’t Be Afraid To Clean Around The Umbilical Cord Stump
It can take one or two weeks for your newborn baby’s umbilical cord stump to fall off, leaving him with a strange crusty blob on his belly in the meantime. Try not to touch this or knock it off but you can clean carefully around it.

“You can bathe your baby in the normal way but it is important to pat the area dry after bathing with a soft cloth,” says Amanda. “If you are just topping and tailing your baby, you can clean the umbilical cord stump and the surrounding skin with warm water to ensure that there are no sticky, wet or nappy substances.

“It is also important to ensure that the nappy is folded below the umbilical cord stump, this will ensure that any nappy contents do not irritate the area or cause undue rubbing.”

10. Do Wipe His Face, Chin And Hands
Use warm water and cotton wool, or a wipe, to get rid of any milk, dribble or fluff from your baby after each feed. Make sure you clean in the creases around his neck, too.

11. Don’t Forget His Gums
It’s a good idea to clean your baby’s gums even before his teeth start coming through. Cleaning the gums can help reduce the build-up of bacteria and prepare for a healthier environment for new baby teeth. You can use specially designed dental wipes or use cooled boiled water and a clean cloth to wipe inside your baby’s mouth a few times a week.

12. Do Trim And Tidy His Nails
Baby fingernails grow surprisingly fast - and can cause your little one to unintentionally scratch himself. Gently clean underneath them everytime you wash your baby and use baby nail scissors to trim them - or you can chew them off yourself.

13. Don’t Overdo It
Try not to get too paranoid about keeping your baby clean. A little bit of bacteria is good for all of us – it helps build up our immune system, after all!

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