The following articles will offer advice about baby hygiene and provide information about what your baby needs in terms of sterilisation and a safe environment.
It’s perfectly normal to try and provide your baby with the cleanest and safest possible surroundings and go to great lengths to shield your newborn baby from germs; however, to some degree the body needs to be exposed to germs in order to build up the immune system. Of course, living in a dirty home and avoiding washing on a regular basis is also not healthy and you should try to ensure your home is safe, warm and clean; just be aware that you don’t need to compulsively scrub every single inch of your home.
In recent years, parents have made more effort with cleanliness and new products have been put on the market to ensure your home is as sterile as possible; however, in tandem with these increased efforts, the number of children suffering from allergies has also increased. It is believed that raising children in too clean an environment and keeping them away from public places, for example, can make them more likely to suffer from allergies.
It is beneficial for your baby to build up their immune system; however, there are some steps which you must take to minimise the risk of them contracting an infection, especially when they are tiny. These are some things that you must do when your baby is small:
The immune system is very complex and clever; it helps the body to fight against harmful germs and protects the body against infections and illnesses. Our immune system is build up and strengthened as we grow up, as antibodies are produced to combat different types of bacteria. It is necessary for your baby to be exposed to germs so that the body can formulate antibodies to fight off that germ in the future; the nutrients and antibodies in breast milk will offer some protection but this will not protect your baby against all germs; your baby needs to come into contact with bacteria in order to be able to battle against it in the future. Once the body has created an antibody, this will be activated every time the body comes across that particular type of bacteria further down the line.
Minor infections and illnesses are very common amongst babies because their immune systems are still developing; in most cases, babies will get a slight snuffle and a little cough, rather than a full-blown cold and they should recover fairly quickly. Occasionally, babies can get very serious illnesses and you should always be vigilant; if you notice changes in your baby’s behaviour or they develop symptoms such as a soaring temperature, rashes or a high pitched cry, you should seek medical advice; don’t hesitate to call 999 if you are really worried.