5 Things I Never Thought I’d Clean So Much—Until I Had Baby
Babies are messy—a fact I was well aware of before getting into this whole parenting thing. I knew I’d have to bathe my child, change poopy diapers and wipe snotty noses—but still, there were a few surprises that popped up in those first months with baby. Hold on to your wipes, ladies: These are the five most unexpected things I’ve had to constantly clean since baby arrived.
It’s everywhere! Under babies’ nails, between their fingers and toes, and even in their itty bitty belly buttons! And I don’t mean dry lint, I mean soggy, foul-smelling, peel-from-the-skin gobs of it.
I knew this was coming, but boy, was I surprised at the amount. The rate this stuff builds up in baby’s ear is amazingly fast.
Whether you’re stuck suctioning it out or are experiencing the joys of having it wiped on your shoulder while babywearing, prepare yourself for shockingly large quantities of snot!
You’ve wiped baby’s bottom all over, you’ve surveyed your work and it looks good—until you peer into that little dip at the top of the butt (aka the cleftal horizon), which has an incredible capacity to hide poop, lint and diaper cream.
Infant necks tend to accumulate something in those folds that the finest cheese experts turn their noses up at: Dried milk, sweat and, yep, more lint! As you nuzzle into the neck of your little one during a cuddle session, there it will be—and even after you clean it, the smell will linger in your nostrils all day.
It’s not all bad, though—these things just give you another reason to enjoy the bonding of bath time with baby!
Updated January 2018
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
