How to Clean a Baby's Vagina Vaginal discharge in a baby doesn't require any special treatment. You can simply clean the area with a gentle wet wipe or warm water on a cotton ball or smooth cloth. Any excess fluid that remains will be absorbed by the diaper and is not harmful. Tips for cleaning a baby's vagina:6 Use a light touch so you do not damage your baby's sensitive genital area. Only use warm water or gentle baby wipes. Soap can irritate the diaper area, upset the natural balance of the vagina, and cause a rash. Only wipe the area from front to back. Be sure to thoroughly clean any fecal matter from the genital area. Check inside the labia, too, as discharge and excess diaper cream can build up within the skin folds. Never scrub your baby's genital area. Also, do not attempt to clean in the vagina itself as this is completely unnecessary and may actually cause injury or infection. For the most part, you can think of the vagina as "self-cleaning."
After they are born, the baby loses this steady supply of hormones. Newborn vaginal discharge usually disappears on its own by the time your baby is 10 days old. Call your pediatrician if it persists longer than two weeks or becomes yellow or foul-smelling, as those symptoms may be a sign of an infection.