The Right Way to Bathe Your Newborn
It can be a bit frightening to bathe your baby for the first time. Most of us will not have practiced bathing a newborn before being sent home with our brand-new baby and no instructions on how to proceed.
The Director of Baby Bliss and pediatric nurse offers reassuring words to the uninitiated: “People fear babies because they believe they will break them or that they are fragile, but babies are robust and sturdy.” Most babies enjoy baths as long as they are safe.
Your baby may enjoy the water and find it invigorating or the bath could have a soothing effect on them. By being prepared and taking a few simple steps, you can make bath time a fun experience for your baby.
Preparing for your baby’s first bath
You will require:
- Look for a baby bath that has rubberized grips on the sides and does not have sharp edges. The Baby Bathtub comes with a removable plug that allows you to drain the water after bathing.
- Two towels
- Choose 1 or 2 washcloths. The perfect size for a baby is the Little Haven Elephant washcloth.
- Baby Bath Wash (optional).
- A clean nappy, and a change of fresh clothes
The preparation is the key to success: Set up your bath.
- If you are using a baby stand and bath, place it near the taps in the bathroom or kitchen so that you do not have to move the water far.
- Fill the tub with warm water, not hot. You can check the temperature by using the inside of your hand or a bath thermometer. The bath should not be too hot.
- Lay the baby on a flat surface and place a towel underneath him. Prepare another towel to wrap the baby so that he does not get cold.
It’s tricky getting the baby in the bath.
- Once you are ready, remove the wrap from your baby’s back, neck, and head and place it in the bath.
- While washing him, rest him on your left arm.
- Put a washcloth on his little stomach to keep him warm.
It’s time to bring the baby in! What should I do?
- Wash his face from the inside to the outside.
- Wash his crevices, such as behind his knees and in the folds of his fat neck.
- Last, wash the nappy area.
- Lift him carefully out of the tub, holding his head up at all times.
Dress him in a fresh nappy, after you have taken him out of the bath.
It can be useful to have someone with you when bathing your baby for the first time. You can bathe the baby with your partner if you can do so.
Baby bath safety tips
- Always support the baby’s head, and keep water away from his face.
- You need to be by your baby’s side while he is in the bathtub. Limiting distractions like mobile phones at this time will help.
- Bring your baby along if you need to do something else away from the tub.
Bath time can help you relax after a stressful day
It’s no coincidence that many families do baths at the end of the day. No matter how stressful the day has been, baths can signal to your child that it’s now time to wind down, relax, and prepare for bed.
Jo says that if your baby is having a difficult time or it’s witching hour you can take a bath to calm them down. “They’ll often be quiet while in the bath, but start crying as soon as they get out.” It’s fine, the bath will have settled them.
How often should a newborn baby be bathed?
You don’t need to bathe your baby every day as long as you wash his face, neck, and hands daily. Jo says that every 2 to 3 days should be enough.
If your baby finds bathing stimulating in the morning, you may choose to do it in the evening. Bathing your baby is something that you can look forward to with your child, no matter what time you decide to do it.
This post is sponsored by BIGW where you will find all the products you need to care for your baby, pregnancy, and beyond.
How to bathe your newborn baby
It can be tricky to bathe your baby for the first few times, but you will soon be an expert. This is a comprehensive guide to your baby’s bathing and how to bathe a newborn.
It’s a big milestone for your baby to take his or her first bath, but it can also be nerve-wracking. Giving your new baby their first bath can be a real joy. And in the beginning, you won’t even need to put much water on your baby. ).
Read on to learn about some tips for bathing your newborn, including how often and what benefits you will both enjoy.
When should your baby have his or her first bath?
Do you wonder when to give your baby their first bath? You can schedule this event whenever you want, as long as it is not a time when you will be interrupted or tempted by rushing through the bath. Plan to give your baby his first bath within one week of birth. Avoid bathing your baby right after she has eaten (it is best to wait a few minutes for the food to settle) or if she is overtired.
Some people prefer to have their baby bathe in the evening, while others choose to do it early in the morning as part of the goodnight routine. Make her bathtime a part of your bedtime routine that includes a last bottle or nursing session and a song.
Remember that you only need to wash your newborn a few times per week (two or three at the most). At first, give her a quick sponge bath, until her umbilical stump falls off. This usually occurs one to three weeks following birth.
How often should I bathe my newborn?
A baby doesn’t need a bath every day until they start getting dirty. They are not mobile and can’t pick up much dirt. You should only bathe your baby two to three times per week. Too much bathing will dry out the skin of your child. The umbilical cords of newborns should be washed with sponges only until they fall off.
Avoid tub baths if your baby has an intact umbilical stump or if the penis of a newborn who was circumcised is not healed. Instead, use your hands to clean up or a baby washcloth. If your baby is willing to try it, choose a flat surface, such as a bathroom or kitchen countertop, a bed, or even the floor, and wash the sponge briefly and gently until she becomes accustomed to it.
You should move on to the baby bath as soon as your baby can sit up and can no longer use the infant tub. It’s adorable to see a baby splashing around in the tub, with soapy suds covering their chubby dimples and folds. But always remember safety. Never let your baby sit in the water alone, even for a moment.
What is a good temperature for a baby’s bath?
Dip your wrist or elbow in the bath water to check its temperature. It should feel warm but not hot. To avoid scalding, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you keep the temperature of the water at the faucet no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to bathe your newborn
After you have chosen the time and place to bathe your baby, take a look at this list of helpful tips. They’ll make it a lot easier and safer.
- Create a bathtime routine. This will help your baby set her body clock. Dim the lights, and keep the activity and noise down after bath time. It’s okay if you prefer another time for your baby and yourself.
- Check out her mood. If your baby seems hungry, is grumpy, or has an upset stomach, you should postpone bath time.
- Get your supplies ready. You can’t leave your baby alone in the tub (and it isn’t fun to search for things with a naked, wet infant). Baby soap, shampoo, cotton washcloths, and cotton balls are essentials. A plush towel, or two, is also recommended. A new diaper, clean clothes, and diaper cream or ointment for after bathing are also essential.
- Document this event. Do you want to remember those wet, wild days of childhood? If it is your baby’s first bath, have a friend, partner, or relative with a camera ready.
- Make sure it’s toasty. Babies can lose heat quickly, especially when they are naked. So make the room warm. Aim for 75-80 degrees. If necessary, a bathroom can be quickly heated up by shower steam. To keep your baby warm, you can place a warm washcloth over her exposed areas like her stomach. Fill the tub, or sink, with enough water to cover her bottom, approximately 2 inches. Never place a baby into the bath while it is running. Test the water temperature with your elbow and wrist insides, as these areas are more sensitive. To avoid burning your children, turn on the cold water first and then turn it off.
- Grab your baby’s bottom and slide her into the bath, feet first. Hold her securely by placing one arm under her head, and the other under her arms. You’ll learn to hold on to your slippery baby. Avoid letting her stay in the water for too long. It can cause the baby’s skin to irritate, and she may get cold.
- Use soap sparingly. You can use mild soap to bathe a baby, but only on the hands and diaper areas. Most days you can use just water to wash the rest of her skin, unless it’s very dirty.
- Concentrate on your face first. Use a cotton ball or washcloth to dip a corner in warm water and wipe the eye gently from the inner corner. Then, use another corner or a new cotton ball to clean the other eye. Wash her face with the washcloth (a little soap will do), paying special attention to the areas around her mouth, under her chin, and behind her ears where drool and milk can collect. Never use a cotton swab inside your baby’s ear.
- Wash the baby’s body. Dip a washcloth into warm water, and then wash your child’s neck and chest. If there is still a stump, move carefully around it. It’s fine to gently wipe off any crust around it. Then, clean between her fingers and under her arms. Make sure you get in all the creases and folds of skin.
- Be gentle when cleaning your baby’s private parts. Use soft, clean towels, mild soap, and warm water. Do you have a girl in your family? Do not forget to wipe gently between the skin folds. If your baby boy has not been circumcised, then you don’t need to remove his foreskin. Next, clean that tiny bottom with a bit of soap.
