Washing Infant Hands

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  • craftymissbeth
    Legally Unlicensed
    • May 2012
    • 2385

    Washing Infant Hands

    I know this is a ridiculous question, but we are required to wash infant hands just like we do for older children except for newborns.

    My question is...

    How do all of you go about safely washing infant hands? I currently take them to the bathroom and juggle them on my knee while I soap them up and then try my best to hold their hands under the water without bonking their noggins on the medicine cabinet. Are we allowed to use a soapy, clean, one-use wash cloth to wash infant hands? Like if I were to buy a large supply of white wash cloths, use them once, and wash them daily (so they are never reused until they've been laundered).

    I have a very wiggly 8 month old and I'm terrified of dropping him.
  • LysesKids
    Daycare.com Member
    • May 2014
    • 2836

    #2
    I personally just hold the baby in one arm and wash their hands under the faucet like older kids. I have no problem when I use a pump bottle for the soap and the babies get a kick out of it because they are treated like big kids. We do it anytime after we eat and I just dry their hands like I would an older baby

    Comment

    • SignMeUp
      Family ChildCare Provider
      • Jan 2014
      • 1325

      #3
      Originally posted by LysesKids
      I personally just hold the baby in one arm and wash their hands under the faucet like older kids. I have no problem when I use a pump bottle for the soap and the babies get a kick out of it because they are treated like big kids. We do it anytime after we eat and I just dry their hands like I would an older baby
      How does that work for a two month old?

      Comment

      • craftymissbeth
        Legally Unlicensed
        • May 2012
        • 2385

        #4
        Yes, how does that work for the especially young ones? And we have to wash hands about a thousand times per day so I'd like to streamline this.

        And I'm specifically concerned about the wiggly ones because this child does death rolls to try to get out of my arms.

        Comment

        • craftymissbeth
          Legally Unlicensed
          • May 2012
          • 2385

          #5
          Actually it does work because that's what I do but it doesn't work well do me at all

          Comment

          • Angelsj
            Daycare.com Member
            • Aug 2012
            • 1323

            #6
            For tinies, I use a single use wash cloth (actually a baby wash cloth) and I don't bother with soap. Once they start crawling, I use soap and water and the juggle on one arm method.
            If you are concerned, maybe a soapy wash cloth, then a clear wipe cloth, single use each?

            Comment

            • nothingwithoutjoy
              Daycare.com Member
              • May 2012
              • 1042

              #7
              I don't have infants at the moment, but when I did, I just used their washcloth w/soapy water. Each kid has a washcloth, identified by color. We use it for one day, then I launder them. (I rinse them out between uses in the sink.) My licensor wasn't thrilled about it, but agreed that it would be fine.

              Comment

              • hope
                Daycare.com Member
                • Feb 2013
                • 1513

                #8
                Originally posted by Angelsj
                For tinies, I use a single use wash cloth (actually a baby wash cloth) and I don't bother with soap. Once they start crawling, I use soap and water and the juggle on one arm method.
                If you are concerned, maybe a soapy wash cloth, then a clear wipe cloth, single use each?
                I do this but with one cloth....soapy on one side and just plain wet on the other half. Soap their little hands up with half and wipe bubbles up with other half. If still soapy I baby wipe to finish. Keep a basket as hamper along with a stack of clothes.

                Comment

                • LysesKids
                  Daycare.com Member
                  • May 2014
                  • 2836

                  #9
                  Originally posted by SignMeUp
                  How does that work for a two month old?
                  Most my babes come to me around 3 months... I just wipe real littles hands with wipes, it's once they are the dinner table at about 6-7 months I have to worry . The fact my babies grow up having hands washed makes it easier because all my kids are monkey see, monkey do

                  Comment

                  • coolconfidentme
                    Daycare.com Member
                    • Oct 2012
                    • 1541

                    #10
                    Originally posted by LysesKids
                    Most my babes come to me around 3 months... I just wipe real littles hands with wipes, it's once they are the dinner table at about 6-7 months I have to worry . The fact my babies grow up having hands washed makes it easier because all my kids are monkey see, monkey do
                    We cannot do this in Indiana per licensing. I asked.

                    Comment

                    • LysesKids
                      Daycare.com Member
                      • May 2014
                      • 2836

                      #11
                      Originally posted by coolconfidentme
                      We cannot do this in Indiana per licensing. I asked.
                      That;s why I went to license exempt when I was in Lafayette; being near Purdue Univ kept me busy... after being registered for the first 6 months I told them to take it away; don't tell me that personal exeption /waiver is ok for shots (state reg), then write me up because my entire daycare had exemptions... ALL my clients at the time had literally just come into the country at the time (Purdue students & professors) and many countries start immunizations their kids later.

                      I stay license exempt when i can now because some regs are just too crazy... sort of wanted to be licensed here, but after seeing the NEW RULES, NOPE. I'm good; BTW, I do run like I'm licensed... written contract & policies, Food program etc...

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