Often cleaning a wiggly baby is difficult and for several reasons, you are advised to bathe newborn babies one to two times a week. If your child gets bathed more than that their skin might dry out. When you are a new parent, try to have another person with you to keep an eye on the child and avoid any mistakes. We have compiled a comprehensive cleaning routine for your baby's care. A few things you should keep near you while you are bathing your child are a basin of warm water, a clean towel diapers and a soft washcloth.

1. Gentle Face and Eyes

Wash your hands first! Use warm water on a cotton ball or washcloth to clean your baby's face and eyes. Wipe from the inner corner of their eye towards the outer corner. Use a fresh cotton ball for each wipe. Their skin is very sensitive so using soft cotton buds will be easier and better. This won’t irritate their skin and makes sure these sensitive spots are clean and this way you can avoid infections as well.

2. Hair and Ears

Gently pour warm water over your baby's head to wash their hair. Make sure that the water is lukewarm and not too uncomfortable. Use a soft washcloth to clean behind and around their ears, but don't put anything inside their ear canal. When you are using the earbud, gently clean the outward skin and not the canal. Pat your baby's head dry with a towel.

3. Teething Time

After morning and evening feeds, use a damp washcloth with water to clean your baby's gums and any teeth that have come in. Once teeth arrive, brush them twice a day with a small, soft baby toothbrush and water. The bristles of the brush might hurt the babies’ gums so be extra careful and very slow.

4. Trimming Tiny Nails

Doing this is no easy task. Your child can get easily hurt and may not sit still for the trimming. Use special baby nail clippers or an emery board to trim your baby's nails. Have someone hold your baby or trim while they're calm and distracted. Be slow and gentle, even if the baby moves, it won’t get hurt.

5. Umbilical Cord Care (until it falls off)

Although it is advised not to soak your babies in a bath until the cord has fallen off, you can give them sponge baths. Wash your hands before touching the cord stump. Clean the area with water and make sure it dries completely after bathing. Avoid covering the cord with plastic pants or tight diapers.

6. Cleaning the Genital Area

For girls gently wipe between the labia with a wet cotton ball or washcloth, starting from the front and wiping back. And for the boys, rinse the genital area with water during bath time. Only clean the outside of the foreskin. If you are using baby wipes, then be very gentle to not rash the skin near that area and cause discomfort to the baby.

7. Airing Out

Give your baby some diaper-free time each day to help prevent diaper rash. Fresh air is good for their skin!

A majority of women may experience infections during the crucial phase of pregnancy. Some infections during pregnancy may also not show clear symptoms. However, timely awareness and prevention can protect both the mother and the baby.

Pregnancy is a special and sensitive phase in a woman’s life. While most women focus on nutrition and regular check-ups, infections during pregnancy can often be neglected.

Some infections may cause only mild symptoms in the mother but can seriously affect the unborn baby if not detected early. Hence, regular screening, good hygiene, and timely medical care are crucial to prevent most pregnancy-related infections and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Common Infections During Pregnancy

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Vaginal infections

• Respiratory infections

• TORCH infections

• Hepatitis B and C can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth if not properly managed.

Tips To Follow To Prevent Infections During Pregnancy

• Pregnant women should go for regular antenatal check-ups, maintain good personal hygiene, and not use any chemical-laden products.
• Stay hydrated and drink enough water, eat home-cooked food, avoid raw or undercooked items, wash your hands frequently, and get vaccinated as recommended by the doctor.
• Take a flu shot on a priority basis. Avoid contact with rodents and pets.
• Make sure to consult the expert in case of symptoms such as fever, pain, or unusual discharge for prompt intervention.
• Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
• Early detection and treatment will be beneficial in safeguarding both mother and baby and ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

Motherhood is not easy to navigate from, while there are many telling you what to do after becoming a parent, rarely do mothers get the guidance they need, especially about disease transmission. Some infections in mothers can pass on to babies during pregnancy, delivery or even while breastfeeding. Know which ones are they:

HIV

It is human immunodeficiency virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infections and makes the person vulnerable to diseases. The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.

HIV can be transferred to the baby during birth or even while breast feeding, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The risk of transmission is highest in the early months of breastfeeding and the rate is estimated to be at least 16%, and prolonged breastfeeding nearly doubles the chances.

Hepatitis B

Also known as HBV is a viral infection that, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) causes live infection and can lead to short term or chronic disease. It can be spread by exposure to infected bodily fluids.

It can be passed on to the child at birth, however to prevent this, the babies can receive the HBIG/HBV vaccines at birth. CDC also mentions that the risk of HBV mother-to-child transmission through breastfeeding is negligible if the vaccine is received.

Syphilis

As per WHO, it is a preventable and curable bacterial sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health issues if it is left untreated. Many people with syphilis do not have any symptoms, or do not notice them. It can be transmitted during oral, vaginal, and anal sex, in pregnancy and through blood transfusion.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CDC notes that this is the most common infectious cause of birth effects in the United States and can spread through body fluids like saliva and urine. It is a genus of viruses in the order Herpesvirales, in the family of Herpesviridae.

Zika Virus

As per WHO, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations as well as preterm birth and miscarriage.

It is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause serious birth defects, notes the CDC.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in uncooked meat. This can also be contacted by cat feces and the parasite can be passed down to a baby during pregnancy.

For many couples managing lifelong medical conditions, the fear of infertility often feels unavoidable. But fertility specialists say modern reproductive medicine has changed that reality.

Dr Rupali Tambe, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Lullanagar, Pune, told Health and Me that chronic illness no longer automatically closes the door to parenthood.

“Couples living with a chronic health condition do not have to rule out parenthood,” she says. “IVF can offer hope with the right planning and care.”

She notes that millions of pregnancies worldwide have been achieved through in vitro fertilization, including among patients with diabetes, thyroid disorders, PCOS, hypertension, asthma and autoimmune diseases.

How Chronic Illness Affects Fertility

Chronic diseases can influence fertility in multiple ways, affecting both partners and every stage of conception.

“Uncontrolled diabetes can impact egg quality, implantation and pregnancy outcomes,” Dr Tambe explains. “Similarly, thyroid imbalance may interfere with ovulation and increase miscarriage risk if untreated.”

Women with PCOS may respond excessively to fertility medications and require carefully adjusted doses to prevent complications. Cardiovascular or high blood pressure conditions also need specialist supervision because hormone stimulation places additional stress on the body.

Autoimmune disorders bring another layer of complexity. “They may affect implantation or early pregnancy and often need tailored treatment plans,” she adds.

Male fertility can also be affected. Diabetes and hormonal disorders may reduce sperm quality, but treatment of the underlying condition can improve IVF success rates.

Preparing Safely For IVF

The first step before starting IVF is stabilizing the medical condition.

“The couple should undergo evaluation and ensure the condition is well controlled,” Dr Tambe says. “Medication adjustments are sometimes necessary because certain long-term medicines are not safe during fertility treatment or pregnancy.”

She strongly advises against self-medication. “Follow the expert’s recommendation before taking any medicine.”

Lifestyle also plays a key role in improving outcomes.

Patients are encouraged to adopt a nutrient-rich diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses and lentils while avoiding processed and oily foods. Daily exercise, stress reduction practices like yoga and meditation, and around eight hours of sleep help both fertility and disease control.

Monitoring During Treatment

Close monitoring remains crucial throughout IVF cycles.

“Regular follow-ups, blood tests, scans and health checks help detect problems early and keep treatment safe,” Dr Tambe explains.

Because hormone therapy can affect metabolism, blood pressure and immune responses, doctors track the body’s reaction carefully and modify treatment if needed.

This personalized approach has significantly improved safety for patients previously considered high-risk.

A Journey That Requires Teamwork

Dr Tambe emphasizes that IVF for patients with chronic illness is not just a procedure but a coordinated medical process.

“For individuals living with long-term health issues, IVF is a journey that requires patience, teamwork and informed care,” she says. “Manage the chronic condition and parenthood can become achievable.”

With careful planning, expert supervision and lifestyle discipline, many couples can safely pursue pregnancy despite medical challenges.