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When a woman finds out the sex of her baby, she chooses the name, thinks about the clothes, the room, the color of the decoration, but a care that is not much thought is in the hygiene of the genitals of babies and children.
Some doubts are common in appearing in relation to genital hygiene. If it is a boy, how should I proceed? What if it’s a girl? Will it be more work? For these doubts there are solutions that will make life easier for those who are embarking on this new journey!
The hygiene of boys seems to be simpler, and for girls this hygiene must follow certain standards, so as not to result in any infection .
How is the Hygiene of Girls’ Genitals Done?
In the first weeks of life, girls’ organs are usually swollen and red . Sometimes there is a transparent mucous discharge that can be white or slightly red with blood. This is a normal situation caused by hormones.
One of the most important principles of girls’ hygiene is to clean the perineal area from front to back , and never the other way around! In this way, it will prevent the transfer of bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
Improper cleaning can cause rashes or redness. It can also be the cause of serious infections , so it is necessary that the hygiene of the genitals of babies and female children be done gently, and accurately.
Clean each corner, especially after she poops. Limit yourself to cleaning the area covered by the diaper and, as babies tend to do a very large amount of poop, if possible, it is recommended to wash it with running water.
Wet Wipes
It may take a little more work, but cleaning with moist wipes cannot be compared to washing with soap and water. And as this happens quite often, it is much better than trying to remove the feces that are between the small lips with washcloths.
Although bathing is the most recommended for genital hygiene of babies and children, often being away from home, other techniques should be adopted
Remember, try to be gentle, so as not to irritate the baby’s delicate skin. After cleaning all the excess with moist wipes, use cotton swabs and warm water for the most difficult corners.
To do this, it is necessary first of all, gently separate the folds of the skin and clean them firmly, but always taking care with the moist cotton swab.
Always clean from the inside out , so that feces do not enter the vagina and urethra. Make sure you have removed everything with the cotton swab. After each bath and diaper change, apply a thin layer of cream for diaper rash with clean and, above all, dry skin.
It is important to emphasize the thin layer , because, unfortunately and repeatedly, it is possible to see mothers apply a thick layer of cream that is partly between the small lips.
Which can be irritating and cause infections after being used for a while. Talc, despite being the darling among most moms, is not recommended for the hygiene of the genitals of babies and female children as the powder gets stuck on the small lips and even in the urethra.
There are some reports on talc. In one of them, the mother said that the talc became a mass and covered her daughter’s urethral opening, causing a urinary tract infection because the baby had trouble urinating.
How is the Hygiene of the Boys’ Genitals Done?
Taking care of a boy is much less work. But, as urine spreads everywhere, it is necessary when washing or changing diapers, to thoroughly clean the area of the lower abdomen, buttocks, crotch, penis, without forgetting the scrotum region below. Babies can urinate the moment you take your diaper off.
For this reason, it is advisable to hold the diaper for a few seconds. Remember not to pull on the skin that covers the glans, known as the foreskin , because it cannot be separated from the penis during the first months or even years.
Some pediatricians mistakenly recommend that the skin of the foreskin be retracted for cleaning, but the reality is that it does not need to, and if you try to force it, it will likely hurt the baby causing irritation, which can result in infection .
In boys, the direction of washing their genitals doesn’t really matter. Apply a thin layer of diaper rash to clean, dry skin. Remember to completely dry the skin under the scrotum. Sometimes, I didn’t do it right and, unfortunately, my son’s skin got irritated causing ugly rashes.
If the baby was circumcised , the same rules as above should be followed. It is important to only observe especially immediately after the foreskin removal procedure, whether the wound will heal properly.
Redness and yellowish discharge are normal symptoms, but if the swelling persists for longer, severe redness or the appearance of yellowish blisters are signs that require an immediate consultation with a doctor .
In addition, it is important to observe whether your child urinates properly. If the flow is interrupted, or there are only drops, the opening may not be sufficiently exposed, or if it has an infection. In any case, it is recommended not to wait and report the problem to the pediatrician.
How is Genital Hygiene of Older Children Done?
Also done on babies, the genital hygiene of older children follows the same pattern: Girls always clean from front to back and when it is possible to wash with soap and water.
In boys it is not necessary to retract the skin of the foreskin for cleaning, but it is very important to keep the area dry, especially after the child urinates and after bathing.
In addition, as the child grows, teach yourself to clean yourself. Always wash your hands after going to the bathroom. It is also important to change your underwear every day, after your shower, or if you get dirty.
The cleaning of the genitals of babies and children should be careful, but not compulsory, being performed at least once a day in children who no longer use diapers. However, in the case of babies, the genital area must be cleaned every time the diaper is changed, which can happen between 5 to 10 times a day.
See Also: Baby Candidiasis – Is It Possible For My Baby To Have It?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
