Bathing a baby can be a good time to bond with your little one, however, it is a bit of a task to bathe newborn babies when they are soft and delicate and parents are just getting used to holding them right. Newborns generally don’t need as frequent baths as adults, a simple topping and tailing can work till you master the art of bathing babies with ease.
What is Topping and Tailing
Topping and Tailing is when you clean your baby using water wipes , cotton balls or a cloth dipped in water rather than bathing them entirely. It is a good and easy alternative to keep babies clean when you cannot bathe them, it is also a preferred method of keeping babies clean till their umbilical stump falls on its own. You can gently clean your baby’s neck, hands, legs, and diaper area with these hygiene essentials.
What are the essentials for Topping and Tailing?
- A pack of Water Wipes or bowl of warm water/ boiled and cooled water along with cotton cloth.
- A few cotton buds.
- A few cotton balls
- A changing mat.
- A fresh nappy.
- A fresh pair of clothes.
- A comb or Hairbrush.
Step-by-Step Guide to Easy Topping & Tailing - Start by wiping the face using a water wipe. Gently clean around the cheeks, forehead, eyes, ears, and nose. Alternatively, you can also use a cotton ball dipped in water and then slightly wrenched.
- Make sure you do not put anything inside the ear canal. Clean what is visible.
- Clean around the neck folds, skin folds joint, and armpits. Make sure you pat these areas dry before dressing up your baby to avoid any moisture trap in these places.
- Clean the navel gently if the stump has fallen off otherwise don’t.
- Gently remove the nappy and clean the baby’s diaper area. No two ways work similarly when wiping the diaper area for a baby. For boys wipe from back to front, for girls wipe from front to back.
- As you reach the foot, clean around the knee folds, and clean in between fingers and toes.
- Once you are done, dress your baby in comfortable clothing and gently brush your baby’s hair. Now your baby is all clean and hygienic even if you haven’t bathed them.
Care instructions while topping and tailing
- Make sure you have all the hygiene and grooming care products within your reach.
- Take off any jewellery or rings that you are wearing as it may rub against the baby’s skin or scratch.
- Do not undress the baby entirely, keep the nappy on.
- Avoid using soap on your baby’s delicate skin.
- Check the water temperature if you are using lukewarm water and cloth.
- Do not leave your baby unsupervised while you top and tail them.
- Make sure you clean your baby from head to toe rather than the other way around.
- Top and Tail your baby when they are comfortable and wide awake.
- Do not top and tail immediately after meals or if they have just woken up from a nap.
- Do not keep your baby undressed for a long period.
FAQ
When to top and tail a newborn?
You can top and tail your baby when they are newborns, i.e. the umbilical cord stump hasn’t fallen yet. So till then rather than bathing you can also clean them using Vega Baby & Mom hygiene products. You can also consider topping and tailing them when the weather is too cold to bathe the baby.
How frequently should I Top and Tail my baby?
You can do so when your baby needs cleaning. You can also do it once or twice a day as per the requirement.
What kind of products should I use for Topping and Tailing?
Choose the products that are gentle on your baby’s delicate skin. You can use Vega Baby & Mom 99% Pure Water Wipes that are dermatologically tested and have certified organic extracts. You can also use Vega Baby & Mom Cotton Balls and Cotton Buds for your baby’s hygiene and daily care.
Cleaning your baby and ensuring their proper hygiene not only ensures that your baby stays clean and healthy. Keep conversing with your baby during the process of topping and tailing. Keep telling them about all your made-up stories or maybe about fairies. This will make sure your baby is attentive to your voice and ensures that you bond well with your baby.
