Hand hygiene for babies is the responsibility of parents and caregivers because babies cannot manage their hand hygiene which ripples to managing the spread of germs. Keeping babies hands clean is the best way to keep them from spreading germs and getting infections.
WHY HAND HYGIENE MATTERS
The immune system of our little babies are not well developed making them susceptible to infections. It therefore matters that their hand hygiene is taken seriously. The sense of touch of babies cannot be denied them but that is how the spread of germs happen from the objects they touch to the caregivers around them, hand hygiene for babies therefore cannot be understated.
There are germs everywhere, we may not see them but they exists.
HAND HYGIENE TIPS FOR BABIES
- Trim the nails of your baby with a nail cutter or scissors, avoid using your teeth because germs could travel via saliva.
- Wash or wipe down every object them will put into their mouths. This may seem like a lot of work but it is worth it – a healthy baby.
- Keep their environment clean especially when they are on the move. Disinfect their play spaces, surfaces and surroundings.
- Regularly clean their hands of saliva or particles using water based wipes or soap and running water.
- Parents and caregivers should wash and sanitize their hands before carrying their babies.
- Avoid touching the palm of babies because they would likely suck on it.
- Limit touch and kisses around the baby’s face. Babies are adorable and lovable but their skin is very sensitive and they often rub their faces with their hands especially and eventually suck on their hands when not supervised, this will only promote the spread of germs.