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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – When it comes to parenting, few issues are as pressing as the matter of hygiene, particularly when you consider the fact that babies’ immune systems don’t begin to develop until they’re two or three months old. During those earliest days and weeks, your baby is incredibly vulnerable to numerous sickness bugs and infections that could be caused by poor hygiene and contact with improperly cleaned surfaces.
While it is indeed possible to over-sanitize your child’s world, it is important for parents to be mindful of their baby’s surroundings, the kinds of germs they are likely to encounter, and the habits they are likely to learn from an early age. From poorly prepared surfaces and toys that have seen better days to a failure to teach your child how to brush his or her teeth, there are numerous hygiene issues that could affect your infant or toddler. Luckily, there are just as many simple ways to maintain a healthy, hygienic lifestyle.
Protecting your baby from birth
It is important to establish a routine. if your baby is bottle-fed, get into the habit of sterilizing bottles, lids, and all the paraphernalia you will use to prepare your child’s next feed. If your baby is breastfed, ensure that your hand pump is properly stored and sterilized prior to use, along with the milk pots and any bottles you might use. Your baby will need to be fed from birth but won’t develop that immune system for several weeks, after all. Other items you will want to sterilize include pacifiers, teethers and any item your child is likely to pop in his or her mouth. Additionally, you should get into the routine of cleaning your infant’s toys regularly, washing soft toys and snuggle blankets each time they are soiled.
Maintaining hygiene during mealtimes
Poor hygiene practices, such as failing to wash hands, sanitize surfaces, and properly prepare ingredients, could lead to your baby contracting food poisoning, which is something every parent dreads. The good news is that such an issue is relatively simple to combat with a little time and dedication. Familiarize yourself with food storage and preparation instructions, ensuring that items are refrigerated correctly, disposed of after their use-by date, and heated thoroughly wherever applicable. Prior to preparing food, ensure that your hands and your child’s hands have been washed thoroughly, and always sanitize the surfaces from which your baby will eat. The best high chair options for toddlers are those with wipe-clean trays that can be thoroughly cleaned after each use.
Oral and personal hygiene
Getting your child used to good personal and oral hygiene practices now will ensure that he or she remains healthy while taking such lessons into adulthood and, eventually, parenthood. For example, did you know that poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, strokes, and even heart disease if left untreated? It’s important to register your child with a dentist around six months after his or her first tooth appears and to begin brushing those teeth with baby-specific toothpaste twice a day. It goes without saying that you should monitor your child’s sugar intake, too. Your baby won’t need to bathe every day, and you should avoid using harsh chemicals and soaps on sensitive skin. Warm water and a soft cloth will be all you need to keep your baby clean and make his or her skin soft.
Let kids be kids
This tip may come as a surprise to health and safety-conscious parents, but it’s important for your toddler to be exposed to a little dirt during his or her early childhood, especially the kind that can be found outside. Numerous pediatric studies have found that children who are exposed to nature, fresh food straight from the soil, and the kinds of microbes that can be found in your backyard are likely to develop healthier immune systems, fighting off infections without the need for medical intervention. Try to relax the next time you spot your toddler heading for a particularly large muddy puddle; your child is exploring the world and taking care of his or her own immune system in the process.
Washing clothes and bedclothes
Finally, it’s time to do the laundry. Bedclothes accumulate all kinds of dirt and grime as we rest, so it is recommended that you wash them at least once a week. Your baby’s bedclothes are no different. Indeed, you may need to wash them more regularly if your baby has soiled his or her cot sheets. Your baby’s clothes should be changed and washed as soon as they’re soiled using a non-biological washing powder on the appropriate temperature setting. Finally, familiarize yourself with the care and wash instructions on your baby’s diapers if you’ll be using reusable liners and covers. Improper care can lead to an influx of bacteria and germs around your baby’s most delicate areas.
It is estimated that some 2.7 million children around the world perish within four weeks of their birth due to poor hygiene practices that can be prevented. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the issue of poor hygiene and the simple ways that you can overcome such threats will ensure that your infant’s first days, weeks, months and years are as healthy as they are happy. Moreover, these kinds of routines are often passed from parent to child, instilling a lifelong appreciation for hygienic habits that will serve the next generation well.
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