Kiddipedia
Having a baby means a lot of changes to your lifestyle. From not going out as much to discovering a new found love for children’s stories, you’ll be surprised by how different your life gets overall. One important change is the level of hygiene in your home.
Babies have underdeveloped immune systems meaning they need a higher level of cleanliness around the house. When they get a little bit older and start to crawl and touch everything around them this becomes even more important. Indeed, many babies also have sensitive skin making good household hygiene absolutely vital. Here are ten ways to keep the house clean when you have a little one around.
- Make sure you know how to get rid of mould before the baby arrives. Mould can be harmful if breathed in too much, so take all necessary measures to eradicate both the mould itself and any conditions that allow it to grow. Make sure all areas in the house are well ventilated to avoid humidity, specially in the bathroom and the baby’s room.
- Make sure to wipe down any surfaces that babies are likely to be drawn to – think colourful table cloths or curtains. Keeping fabrics hygienic can be more difficult, but it’s important as little ones often crawl over or try to eat anything that’s there.
- Use baby-friendly cleaning products and don’t let little ones crawl on them immediately after cleaning to prevent the ingestion of any harmful substances. You can too use natural cleaning products, like vinegar, lemon and baking soda, in areas that don’t need to be disinfected. Also, keep any laundry and cleaning detergents locked and away from the baby’s reach.
- Keep all surfaces clear – this makes them easier to wipe down and prevents germs from building up. Even high surfaces, which won’t be reachable for the baby, will be reachable and frequently used by adults around the house. So, if these are kept constantly clean, there’s less probability of anyone touching the baby and passing on germs.
- If you’re not sure what needs doing think about the house on a baby’s level: what do they see, what will they pick up or put in their mouths? Those are your cleaning priorities! The floor is one area to prioritise, so make sure you clean it daily to keep dirt and bacteria away from your crawling baby – carpets and rugs too, which can easily build up germs between the fibres. Steam cleaning once in a while is also a great option to deeply de-germ these. Plus, don’t forget to keep any baby toys on top of your cleaning agenda as well, specially when the baby is teething.
- Keep disinfectant sprays handy in every room where the baby spends time. That way they’ll be available whenever you need them and you won’t forget to come back later and clean de-germ them. And when cleaning, focus on areas where germs build up which you might otherwise not think of at first: phones, computers, light switches and door handles. This should keep your place more hygienic overall.
- Everyone in the house has to wash their hands! This is important to protect the baby’s immune system. Remember to do so before touching the baby, after changing nappies and following a trip to the toilet
- Don’t forget about the kitchen when keeping your house clean – dishcloths and rags are the germi-est items in the house, so make sure they are far away from any bottles and toys.
Each of these tasks is very doable in themselves. What can sometimes be difficult is trying to do each one perfectly. Don’t fret. You do not have to be the perfect home cleaner to be a good parent. Doing the basics to ensure good hygiene, like knowing how to get rid of mould and avoiding germs is the key. Keeping the environment safe and protected for your child is about doing what you can. Prioritise the baby’s health and welfare and both you and your child will be just fine.
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