Why Do I Need Cotton Swabs for My Baby?

Cotton swabs have a multitude of uses in the nursery.

Cotton swabs are on every list of must-have items for your new baby's nursery. The soft cotton portion won't irritate a newborn's delicate skin, and the small size makes them a perfect fit for use on a baby. They have a multitude of uses not only for baby care, but also for the nursery itself. Inexpensive and found in any drugstore, your box of cotton swabs will be in daily use with your new baby.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Water
• Petroleum jelly
• Medications

Instructions

1. Wet the cotton swab with rubbing alcohol, and clean around the umbilical cord area of the newborn. This can be done with diaper changes until the end of the cord falls off.

2. Clean around your baby's outer ears, between fingers and toes, and around the neck with a cotton swab moistened with water.

3. Dab petroleum jelly or other ointments onto dry spots on your baby's skin.

4. Rub away crusts and secretions from your baby's nose with a moist cotton swab.

5. Swab prescribed medication with a cotton swab inside your baby's mouth to treat thrush infections.

6. Wipe a cotton swab with petroleum jelly around your baby's circumcision site after diaper changes.

7. Use a cotton swab for cleaning inside small openings of your nursery humidifier.

8. Disinfect small cracks and crevices on your changing table with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Tips & Warnings

• Never insert a cotton swab into your baby's ear canal. This can damage or perforate the eardrum.

References

• Q-Tips: Baby Care Tips
• Lil Sugar: Nine Uses For Q-Tips in the Nursery