Page 29 - GreenBook

change until it is no longer sore or raw looking. Vaseline should be purchased in
the tube rather than in the jar form to keep it more sterile. The skin around the
circumcision should be gently pulled back to prevent regrowth and for cleansing.
The uncircumcised male foreskin should be left alone. Vigorous retraction is
unnecessary and inadvisable during the first few years of life.

K. Finger and Toenalls
Cut them with blunt edged baby scissors or clippers, taking care not to cut the

toes or fingers.

HINT: Place baby's fingers in a small amount of baby powder. This highlights
the part of the nail to be cut. Do NOT cut below the powder line and be sure to
wash powder off of your baby's hands when you are finished. Some parents
prefer cutting nails while baby is sleeping to reduce wiggling.

L. Skin

Mild and moisturizing soap such as Dove or Basis may be used. Peeling skin is
very common and cracking may develop on the hands and feet. Lotion or baby
oil may be used for dry skin and Vaseline or Eucerin cream applied to cracks.
The skin folds should be kept clean and dry. Special attention should be given
to armpits, neck, back of knees and elbow areas. The diaper area should be
kept clean and dry. This does not mean, however, that you need to change the
baby as soon as he wets. If there is no diaper rash and the baby is not
uncomfortable, then routine changes may be made at feeding time. When using
cloth diapers make sure your diapers have been well rinsed after washing. If
your baby has a diaper rash, change him frequently. Let the area be exposed to
air for short periods of time. If the rash is red but dry, you may use A&D
ointment, Desitin, Balmex or 1/2 lanolin and 1/2 vaseline. Rashes that do not
improve after a few days of treatment with one of the above, may warrant a
telephone call to the office.

III. INFANT FEEDING
One of the first decisions that you as new parents need to make is whether to
breast or formula feed your infant. You may have had experience with a
previous baby or have heard things from friends or family.

Breast milk is the perfect food for an infant. It allows the infant to receive some
benefits that are missing from formulas particularly antibodies to help fight

infections.

Nursing is also very economical when compared to formula feeding. Nursing
also has the advantage of not having to carry bottles everywhere and the ability
to feed on demand. Many women also find nursing a very pleasurable way to

feed their infants.

Formula feeding has its advantages as well. It allows mothers more freedom to
spend time away from their infant and gives fathers a chance to actively
participate in feeding.

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