Cleaning newborn’s mouth?

Question

I have a 3 week old baby and Ive been alone in this new parenting thing with my husband since no one can visit thanks to coronavirus. 
When we left the hospital they talked to us about bathing and hygiene but they never told us anything about oral hygiene. Since we came home Ive never cleaned my baby’s mouth because I didn’t know it was necessary. Now I feel horrible because after looking it up it seems I should have done it from the start ☹️ will my baby be fine?

Answer

I'm pretty sure you don't need to clean their mouth at this age. When they get teeth you brush them but I've never heard of cleaning a baby's mouth before that. X

Answer

You don’t need to clean in their mouth til they’re older

Answer

This is my second child and I never cleaned the mouth, was never told to so so either. Obviously I clean the outside of the mouth, but not the inside.

Answer

You’re supposed to clean their mouth? News to me.

Answer

I know some people get a bit of damp cloth and wipe around the baby’s gums to remove excess milk and i was taught this when studying my dimploma childcare and education course.

Answer

You don't need to clean their mouths until they get teeth. 😊 You're doing great, mama!

Answer

I always thought it was to get them used to it so they don't freak when you start brushing teeth

Answer

No you don't

Answer

My doctor said cleaning their mouth isn't necessary until they have teeth. If you try to wash it earlier you actually risk introducing more bacteria into their mouth (assuming the cloth isn't sterile like bottle nipples and pacifiers would be) we're 6m in and her breath is fine, never cleaned it (no teeth yet)

Answer

If you are breastfeeding you do not need to clean their mouth. Breast milk has stuff in it to kill off basic germs. If your feeding formula it can leave a film over their gums. You can use a wet baby washcloth over your finger and rub the gums softly. Once they are older and start to develop teeth you can switch over to a finger toothbrush. (And by that point they are used to you doing it and won't fight you to brush their teeth. They will find it soothing)

Cleaning newborn’s mouth?

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