What should she wear?

0- 4 months:

If the weather is warm or hot

• Put on a light linen top for her with strings fastening at her shoulders.

• Do not leave the upper part of her body exposed. No buttons and hooks please…not yet.

• No diapers now…not yet. Tie cloth nappies.

• Make sure that her placental cord is not disturbed until it heals, dries and falls off.

• Do Not make her lie directly under a ceiling fan as it might make breathing difficult for her.

If it is cool or cold weather

• Put on a soft thick shirt or sweater over her light linen top.

• Cover her head and ears with a scarf or a baby cap.

• Tie cloth nappies with a nappy pad inside. No diapers that fasten at the waist.

• Put on long socks or stockings that are not tight.

• Keep her room warm and let in sunshine whenever possible.

4-12 months:

If the weather is warm or hot

• Put on a light linen top for her.

• You may use diapers during the nights alone and also while taking her out. At other times, prefer to use cloth nappies. Round-the clock diapers are not suited for Indian weather.

• However, if she is going to a crèche, she might have to be in diapers as long as she is there. Let her free from the time she gets home until it is bedtime for her.

• If it is cool or cold weather

• Put on a soft thick shirt or sweater over her light linen top.

• Cover her head and ears with a scarf or a baby cap.

• Put on long socks or stockings that are not tight.

• Keep her room warm and let in sunshine whenever possible.

Cloth Nappies:

You need a generous supply of these. You can buy these ready-made or have them made. Follow these instructions to make them:

• Fold a 9" x 9" (or bigger depending on your baby's requirement) square cloth along the diagonal. Stitch up to form a triangle.

• Stitch long cloth strings along the long side.

• Make 2 loops on the 3rd side to slip in the strings.T

Tying a cloth nappy :

• Place the cloth nappy with the loops facing down and the two strings stretched on both sides.

• Slip it under your baby till the strings are along her waist

• Bring up the 3rd side between her legs.

• String the loops and tie a large knot that can easily be removed.

• DO NOT use those large nappy pins that were in use earlier. All said, they are still pins.

• In case you are using a nappy pad, place it on the nappy before tying it on to your baby.

Changing her nappy:

• When she wets or soils her nappy, change it immediately.
  Untie the nappy, wipe her with moist cotton wool.

• Apply some baby cream to her anus after cleaning her poopes and put on another nappy.

Washing the nappies:

Wash soiled nappy to remove all fecal matter and then put it in a bucket containing water with disinfectant and keep the bucket closed. Wash these nappies once or twice a day. Use disinfectant once again during the final rinse. Dry them in the sun if possible.

Diapers:

• Unfasten the straps and place the diaper open.

• Place her on the diaper and bring up the front side. Wrap in the diaper and fasten the straps.

• The diaper should not be tied too tight but it should fit snugly on her.

• Run your finger through the elastic along her thighs to ensure that it is stretched out well and is not inconvenient for her.

How many diapers?

Check diapers every hour or so to see if she has passed stools.

If she has not, change it after 2 wettings (about 3 hours in cold weather and 6 hours in hot weather) during the day. Since she does not wet too many times in the night she can have on a single diaper through the night.

Changing diapers:

• Place her flat on a rubber sheet.

• Un-strap her diaper. Wipe off excess stools with the cleaner front part of the diaper and fold it in.

• Use moist cotton balls and wipe off the remaining stools.

• Now gently pull out the diaper, fold it into two, fasten the straps back and dispose it in bin.

• Apply baby cream to her diaper area.

• Put on another diaper.