" Buy less, but higher quality "

It is still such a tiny and fragile-looking creature. However, newborns are more robust than most new parents think. Proper baby care is not a science. First and foremost, trust your instincts, because there's not much you can really do wrong when it comes to baby care. A few small tips and hints will show you how to look after your little one properly and what baby care involves.

Baby care - what's important in the first few days

Your little one doesn't need much in the first few days. A fresh diaper every now and then and the priceless closeness to mom. Everything else, such as bathing, is still uninteresting. Gentle dabbing with a damp, warm cloth is all that is needed for baby care. After the birth, there is still a small umbilical cord residue. This usually falls off on its own after 14 days at the latest and requires no further care. The midwife usually takes care of the umbilical cord in the first few days. When changing the baby, you only need to make sure that the umbilical cord does not get under the edge of the diaper.

In the first few days, the midwife also looks after the newborn alongside the mother

Diapering - fresh diapers for a clean feeling

From the very first day, you will be changing your baby's diapers. The midwives will of course support you and after just a few attempts you will notice that you are becoming more confident. Your baby will sense your confidence and gain a deep sense of trust.

In the first few days, you must pay attention to the umbilical cord when changing the diaper. If it oozes, smells unpleasant or even bleeds, a pediatrician must be consulted.

Clean the diaper area with a washcloth. The use of wet wipes is immensely practical. However, these contain additives that are not so good for sensitive baby skin. You can of course use these wipes in everyday life and especially when out and about. However, make sure that they do not contain any additives.

If the skin is smooth and shows no redness, then no further care products are necessary. Please refrain from using powder. This only dries out the skin unnecessarily. Wound protection cream should only be applied if the diaper area is reddened or even slightly inflamed.

Try to leave your baby without a diaper for a while as part of your baby care routine. The air on the skin is good and is an important aspect when it comes to proper baby care.

Disposable or cloth diapers - opinions differ here

You can choose between disposable diapers and cloth diapersdiapers. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, which you need to weigh up for yourself.

In the first few weeks, you will need the smallest diapers of all. There are now special diapers for newborns.

If you prefer to use cloth diapers, ask an experienced midwife to show you the correct diapering technique.

Many parents today opt for an intermediate solution. While disposable diapers are preferred in hectic everyday life, cloth diapers are sometimes used during leisure time and at weekends.

Bathing - a delight for little ones

You don't need to bathe your baby in the first few days. All you need to do is clean your little one with a soft washcloth and some pleasantly warm water. To do this, place a small bowl on the changing table and have a washcloth ready. A baby towel or even a baby poncho are the ideal carpet pad. Make sure it is nice and warm when you wash your little sunshine.

A baby can be bathed for the first time as soon as the navel has healed. It is up to you whether you want to bathe your baby in the bathtub with an insert, in a baby bath or in the washbasin. However, the bathroom should be comfortably warm. This is important for proper baby care.

The ideal water temperature is between 37 and 38°C. If you are unsure, use an appropriate bath water thermometer. No bubble bath, shampoo or even shower gel is required. Plain water is perfectly adequate. If your child tends to have dry skin, add a little breast milk or a few drops of high-quality olive oil to the water. You can of course also use a good bath oil for babies.

Place your little angel in your arms. Gently wash your little one with a washcloth and enjoy the time together.

A bath should not last longer than 10 minutes. Baby's delicate skin loses an enormous amount of moisture and needs a little more care afterwards. First dry your angel thoroughly and gently. Many parents use a baby poncho immediately after bathing. These cozy towels with hoods keep the baby nice and warm. Now use another fluffy towel to dry your child thoroughly in all areas. Pay particular attention to the skin folds on the legs, under the arm and on the neck as well as behind the ears.

A soothing baby massage

After the bath, many parents take the opportunity to give their little one a gentle massage. Use a few drops of baby oil and massage your little sunshine. The gentle movements, touch and close skin contact calm the child and strengthen the bond.

Soothing massages calm the baby

A cozy towel is all you need as a base. This diaper-free time and the soothing massage are a blessing and important for proper baby care. After all, this consists not only of washing and changing diapers, but also of lots of cuddles.

Fingernails, toenails and hair - what about baby care?

An infant's nails are very soft and do not need to be cut at first. Some babies tend to scratch themselves accidentally. Small mittens are suitable for these children. However, as soon as the nails get a little longer, they need to be trimmed. Use special baby scissors for this. These are rounded at the front so that you do not accidentally injure the child when cutting.

The first haircut, on the other hand, usually takes a little longer. Depending on how full your angel's curls are.

Ears, nose, skin and teeth - what do you need to consider when caring for them?

Always use an oily cream for proper skin care. The face must be protected from the cold, especially in winter. To clean the ears, please only use the special cotton buds with the extra wide head. Never use the swabs for adults. These could cause injury to the ear.

Use greasy creams to moisturize your baby

There are special baby teats for the nose. These are usually of interest if the little one is suffering from an infection and there is significantly more secretion. Oral hygiene also plays a role in baby care, even for the youngest children. Although real tooth brushing is of course only used as soon as the baby has its first milk tooth. Simply wipe the jaw with a soft cloth in the evening.

Powder, cream and co - how many care products are really necessary?

You don't need much for proper infant and baby care. Even if you are constantly being told that you need to buy half the drugstore full of baby care products. Don't let yourself be put off. All you need is

• a baby bath
• a soft baby brush for the hair
• special nail scissors for babies
• baby bath oil
• wound protection cream
• cotton buds for the ears with an extra wide head
• washcloth
• towels
• Baby poncho