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Baby Health and Care with Baby Step

We know how important it is to take care of your child's health and comfort. Baby Step products are designed with the sensitive skin of babies in mind and provide gentle care, protection and comfort at every moment of the day.

Health and care

Why do diaper rashes occur? Guidelines for proper diaper use.

Diaper rash is a fairly common nuisance among infants. Most parents are used to blaming their appearance on diapers, under which the baby's butt supposedly gets sore and inflamed. Meanwhile, pediatricians are confident that with proper use of products and careful care of children's skin, problems can be avoided.

Causes of skin irritations

Prolonged contact of the baby's skin with urine and feces often leads to the appearance of diaper rash. Collapsing, the stool releases ammonia, which has an irritating effect. The skin of children is arranged quite differently from that of an adult. They are thinner, drier and practically devoid of protective lubricant. That is why they are very easily traumatized.

The situation becomes more complicated when the child is excessively wrapped up or the ambient temperature is elevated. The skin "steams" and becomes more susceptible to irritants.

Other causes of diaper rash may include:

— poor drying of the skin after washing,

— insufficiently frequent hygienic procedures (washing, bathing),

— skin friction on diapers/diapers.

The risk group includes babies with a tendency to allergic diseases or suffering from endocrine disorders.

The subtleties of using diapers

By itself, a disposable diaper is not a factor that causes diaper rash. By absorbing urine, it helps to keep the skin dry and healthy. It's another matter if the product is incorrectly selected or misused.
The risks of developing dermatitis are increased by low-quality "diapers" that have a hard inner coating and poorly absorb moisture. These diapers rub the baby's delicate skin and remain wet after urination. Therefore, pediatricians advise to approach the choice of products with special care. It is very important that their inner layer is soft enough, and the adsorbent optimally copes with its tasks.
Proper organization of child hygiene also helps to avoid problems. It is recommended to change diapers every 3-4 hours, as well as after each act of defecation and before walking. The only exception is night sleep, because during this period the baby relieves himself less often than during the day.

Why do diaper rashes occur? Guidelines for proper diaper use.

Swaddling or not using diapers. Advantages and disadvantages.

Disposable diapers and infertility — debunking the myths.

Cleaning the nose, trimming nails, changing diapers — how to do everything correctly and not harm the baby.

Everything you need to know about ''stools''.

Diaper removal technique:

Undo the Velcro fasteners on the product and begin to gently twist it inwards. Holding the baby by the legs, pull the product out from under the buttocks. Finish the roller and secure it with Velcro fasteners.

Each time the product is changed, the baby should be washed with running water. At the same time, washing movements should be performed from front to back so that dirt does not fall on the genital area.

After washing, the child is given air baths. To do this, it is spread undressed on the tummy and left for 5-10 minutes. Then the baby's buttocks and folds in the genital area are lubricated with baby cream and a new diaper is put on.

Diaper putting technique:

Unwrap a clean diaper. Lifting the baby's legs, place the back of the product under his ass. Carefully straighten the cuffs at the edges so that they do not rub the baby's skin. Fasten the diaper and check how tightly it fits to the body. There should be a free space as thick as your finger between the belt and the baby's skin.

If you still can't avoid diaper rash, contact a specialist for help. He will determine the exact cause of the problem and help you choose an effective ointment to eliminate it.

Swaddling or not using diapers. Advantages and disadvantages.

Each parent has their own view on the age at which the child should be taught the first hygiene skills. Someone is waiting for the baby to grow up, and someone is convinced that you need to start right from birth. There are ongoing disputes between them about the "planting" method (or the "natural hygiene" method). Its essence is to help the child to relieve himself naturally, without using diapers. What are the pros and cons of this approach?

Well-forgotten old or new?

Let's make a reservation right away that the term "planting" is not related to potty training. All the time, while the child is doing his business, the mother holds him in her arms over a basin or a bathtub. In this case, the main task is to catch the baby's desire in time and not miss the beginning of the physiological process. It is believed that this hygiene technique was used by our distant ancestors and is still practiced by women from African tribes who have not yet received the benefits of civilization in the form of diapers.

Potty training for kids who have been planted is the same as for everyone else. This is due to the fact that in the first years of life a child goes to the toilet unconsciously, and only by the age of 2.5-3 his psyche becomes ready for the formation of stable conditioned reflexes.

Then why is disembarkation necessary? Proponents of the method find its advantages in the following:

— Absence of diaper rash and irritations. The baby's skin does not come into contact with urine and feces, so it does not become inflamed.

— Cost savings. If the method is successfully mastered, parents do not have to spend money on diapers.

But the opponents of disembarkation present a more significant list of disadvantages.:

— The need for constant vigilance over the baby. To catch the "signals" of the baby, the mother must be constantly nearby. As a result, household chores and self-care fade into the background. A woman literally gets hung up on a child and exhausts herself emotionally.

— The inability to use the method at a party, on a walk, in public places. Dropping off a baby outside the house is not always convenient, and sometimes it is simply unacceptable.

— The inevitability of "embarrassment". No matter how closely the mother monitors the child's behavior, mistakes will still happen. Moreover, growing up, the baby will leave puddles not only in his crib — both the parent's bed and the beloved family sofa can suffer. Readiness for such surprises and the ability to calmly perceive them is one of the indispensable conditions for the use of technology.
What to choose in the end, diapers or planting, is up to the parents themselves to decide. If you have a desire to try planting, take a chance. But if you feel that the constant monitoring of the baby becomes a burden to you, do not exhaust yourself and return to proven care products. After all, the most important thing your child needs is a calm and happy mother.

Why do diaper rashes occur? Guidelines for proper diaper use

Swaddling or not using diapers. Advantages and disadvantages.

Disposable diapers and infertility — debunking the myths.

Cleaning the nose, trimming nails, changing diapers — how to do everything correctly and not harm the baby.

Everything you need to know about ''stools''.

Disposable diapers and infertility — debunking the myths.

Modern mothers see disposable diapers as a real lifesaver. They make both the baby more comfortable and reduce the amount of laundry at home. The only thing that spoils this idyll is the persistent rumors about the harm of diapers for boys. The conservative camp claims that using multi-layer products can lead to infertility. So, is there any reason to be concerned?

Truth and Lies

To support their beliefs against diapers, opponents provide two arguments:
— 'Spermatogenesis in boys occurs at 30-32°C, and at higher temperatures, this process is suppressed (it is no coincidence that the testicles are located "outside" — in the scrotum). When a baby is in a diaper, their genitals heat up to 35-36°C. The increased humidity due to the evaporation of urine further increases the temperature, i.e., a kind of 'greenhouse effect' develops. All this leads to the suppression of spermatogenesis,'

— 'In the last 25 years, the number of men suffering from infertility in Europe has increased. Considering that diapers have been used there since the late 60s, the connection seems obvious.'

To understand why these conclusions are incorrect, we need to take a small excursion into male physiology.

The reproductive system of boys begins to mature closer to 8-10 years old. Before this age, their seminiferous tubules are just solid cords, in which nothing is produced. The germ cells located in the testicles (Leydig cells) also do not show activity in the first years of life. This is confirmed by the fact that the androgen levels in boys and girls under 10 are identical.

Thus, diapers cannot affect spermatogenesis, as it doesn't even exist in infancy.
Moreover, nature has reliably protected male reproductive organs. The testicles are surrounded by 7 membranes, which, working like a thermos, protect them from both hypothermia and overheating.

If such a thermoregulation mechanism didn’t exist in men, the inhabitants of hot tropics simply wouldn’t be able to reproduce.
However, the most confusion among specialists arises from the speculation about the 'greenhouse effect' of disposable diapers. The fact is that such an effect only forms in conditions of high humidity. Thanks to the absorbent layer, the baby's skin remains dry in a diaper. This cannot be said about gauze and fabric products. Mothers who have unwrapped their babies from wet cloth diapers have surely noticed how sometimes steam literally rises from their skin.

After such convincing evidence, only one question remains: why is infertility among men growing in Europe? Doctors note that the problem has worsened not only abroad. The number of visits to reproductive clinics has also increased in Russia, where the generation of boys who wore diapers hasn't yet grown up. Therefore, it is likely that we should not blame baby care products, but the general problems modern men face — such as a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and increased psycho-emotional stress.

Why do diaper rashes occur? Guidelines for proper diaper use.

Swaddling or not using diapers. Advantages and disadvantages.

Disposable diapers and infertility — debunking the myths.

Cleaning the nose, trimming nails, changing diapers — how to do everything correctly and not harm the baby.

Everything you need to know about 'stools'.

Cleaning the nose, trimming nails, changing diapers — how to do everything correctly and not harm the baby.

Hygiene procedures are an important part of a baby’s life. Over time, mothers become skilled at performing them quickly and efficiently, but at first, there may be many questions. What aspects of care should be given special attention?

Skin and mucous membrane hygiene

A baby's skin is very delicate and sensitive, so it requires gentle care. Every day should begin with a morning hygiene routine, which includes washing the face, cleaning the nose, and ears. These procedures can be done before or after feeding.

— Start washing with the eyes. Use a cotton ball soaked in warm, boiled water and gently wipe from the outer corner of the baby's eye to the inner corner. If there are crusts on the eyelashes, repeat the procedure, using a clean cotton pad. Use a new cotton ball for the second eye.

— Clean the ears with damp cotton balls. Pediatricians strongly advise against using cotton swabs, as they can damage the baby's eardrums. After that, wipe the face and hands, and then pat them dry with a clean cloth.

— Clean the nose using cotton swabs about 3-4 mm thick. To remove dried crusts, moisten the swab with petroleum jelly and carefully insert it into the baby's nostril no more than 1 cm deep. For the other nostril, use a new clean swab.

Nail trimming

With overgrown nails, a child can injure himself. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to give him a manicure regularly. Nails are trimmed with special scissors with rounded edges. Make sure that there are no sharp notches along the edges of the plates.

Why do diaper rashes occur? Guidelines for proper diaper use.

Swaddling or not using diapers. Advantages and disadvantages.

Disposable diapers and infertility — debunking the myths.

Cleaning the nose, trimming nails, changing diapers — how to do everything correctly and not harm the baby.

Everything you need to know about ''stools''.

Diaper change

In the first months of life, it is recommended to change diapers every 3-4 hours. It is convenient to do this on a changing table or on an ordinary table covered with an oilcloth. The technique is simple:

— Put the baby on the back,

— Undo the Velcro fastener of the product and gently roll it inside in the direction from the waistband to the baby's genitals,

— Lift the child's legs. Pull the diaper out from under your buttocks, roll it into a roller and secure it with Velcro.
After each diaper change, the baby is washed or wiped with wet wipes, then he is given 5-10-minute air baths. Before putting on a new diaper, the skin of the buttocks and groin folds are lubricated with baby cream.

Washing and bathing

After the baby has a bowel movement, it is advisable to wash with a gentle baby cleanser, and after urination — just with water. The procedure can be done in the bath or over a basin. To prevent dirty water from flowing from the bottom to the genital area, both boys and girls should be washed in one direction — front to back. The baby should be placed on the left hand with their belly facing up, while the right hand washes the dirt off the skin. After the procedure, gently pat the baby’s skin dry with a clean cloth.

Bathing is recommended to be done daily at any convenient time. You can use either a special baby bathtub or a standard adult one. The most comfortable water depth for the baby is 10-15 cm. Gradually lower the baby into the bath, starting with their feet, then the rest of the body. Use your hand (without sponges or mitts) to wash all the baby’s folds, limbs, tummy, and back. Finally, rinse their head. If the baby has crusts on their head, modern pediatricians do not recommend removing them — this may lead to skin infection. Bathing 2-3 times a week should be done using baby cleansing products.

Everything you need to know about ''stools''.

Monitoring the nature of the 'stool' is one way to learn about the baby’s well-being. Which parameters are considered normal, and which should be a cause for concern?

Immediately after birth

The concept of 'normal stool' in babies changes with age. In the first 2-3 days of life, the baby’s stool consists of meconium — a dark, almost black substance with a clay-like consistency. Meconium consists of amniotic fluid, bile, and shed epithelial cells that accumulated in the baby’s intestines during fetal development. The frequency of diaper changes for most babies in these days is 1-2 times per day.

As the baby starts breastfeeding, their stool changes. By the 7th-10th day, it becomes creamy in consistency and yellow in color. Sometimes, small lumps or mucus clots can be seen in it. The baby will start passing stool up to 5-8 times a day. If a newborn continues to pass meconium by the end of the first week, they should be shown to a pediatrician.

The first months of life

Gradually, the baby's intestines are populated with beneficial bacteria that help him digest food. His bowel movements become more uniform and regular. After 6 weeks, when the mother's colostrum is completely replaced by mature milk, there is a reduction in the number of bowel movements — up to 3-6 times a day.

In babies who are on artificial feeding, acts of defecation occur less frequently than in infants — usually 2-3 times a day. This is due to the fact that mother's milk contains special enzymes that have a laxative effect.

Why do diaper rashes occur? Guidelines for proper diaper use.

Swaddling or not using diapers. Advantages and disadvantages.

Disposable diapers and infertility — debunking the myths.

Cleaning the nose, trimming nails, changing diapers — how to do everything correctly and not harm the baby.

Everything you need to know about ''stools''.

Possible deviations

Most often, babies may have the following problems::

— Constipation. This condition refers to the absence of stool for 2 or more days. Sometimes, minor delays in defecation can be due to improper nutrition of the mother or increased nervous excitability of the baby. Therefore, if the problem is occasional, there is no need to worry. However, if constipation occurs regularly, it is advisable to consult a specialist.

— Foamy stool with a sour smell. This may indicate lactose intolerance. In most cases, the issue can be resolved through dietary adjustments.

— Green stool. It is considered abnormal only if accompanied by other symptoms of illness in the baby, such as fever, pale skin, or vomiting. The cause is usually a gastrointestinal infection.

— Reduced stool volume and darkening. This often indicates that the baby is not getting enough food.
It is important for parents to understand that, depending on the situation, what they perceive as "incorrect" stool may actually be considered normal. Therefore, never attempt to treat the baby on your own. The first step should always be consulting a specialist.

After the introduction of complementary foods

Changing the diet leads to a decrease in the frequency of stools up to 1-2 times a day. The feces of the child acquire a thicker consistency, an unpleasant odor and a brown color. At first, undigested pieces of vegetables and fruits may be found in them. Until the body adjusts to the assimilation of new food, this is considered normal and should not cause parental concern.