Bathing a newborn is not easy and it requires practice and patience. There are few things that you need to keep in mind when bathing your newborn and all those have been covered in this article.
Sponge Baths
For the initial few weeks, a sponge bath using a warm and damp baby washcloth is the best for your baby. Make sure to wash his/her hands often and also clean the genital area thoroughly after each diaper change.
Tub Bath
You should start giving your newborn tub bath, once the umbilical cord has dried up, fallen off and the area has healed. There are plastic baby tubs available that you use as your baby is tiny and the standard tub would be very big for him/her. You can also your kitchen sink.
There are few parents who bathe their babies regular but this is not required unless your baby is big enough to crawl around and become dirty. Bathing your baby thrice in a week for the first year is enough as regular bathing can make his/her skin dry.
If your baby loves warm water, then it is okay to let him/her remain in the water for some time. If on the other hand, your baby cries through the entire procedure, a five minute bath is enough for your baby before the water cools down.
Bathing your newborn might seem a bit scary at the beginning but you can master the art with patience, confidence and practice.
Bath Safety
- Never ever leave your baby to attend phone calls or doorbells and take him/her with you covered in a towel, if attending them is a necessity. Leaving your baby unattended even for a minute in an inch of water can drown him/her.
- Place your baby only when the tub has been filled and not when the water is running as it might get too hot or too deep.
- 120o Fahrenheit is the temperature you should set your water heater to as your child can suffer from third-degree burns, if he/she is kept in 140o Fahrenheit water even for a minute.
How to bath your baby?
- Lay out a towel after gathering all the bath essentials apart from clothes and diaper. The room should be warm.
- Now use warm water (90oFahrenheit water) to fill the bath tub for about 3 inches.
- Now bring your baby near to the tub and undress him/her completely. You can keep the diaper on for some time, if your baby cries through his/her bath as that would give him/her a sense of security.
- Now slip the feet of your baby into the tub first by supporting the hand and neck. Keep pouring cupfuls of water over him/her so that it does not get cold.
- Use a mild soap and wash him/her with your hands or washcloth. Wash his/her scalp first with soapy cloth and then use a clean wet cloth to rinse the eyes and face. Dried mucus in the corner of the eyes and nose should be softened first and then wiped off. A routine was is required for the baby’s genitals.
- Wipe your baby with a dry washcloth and lift him/her out carefully by supporting her hand, neck and bottom. Wet babies are slippery and so fold your fingers around the baby’s thigh.
- Cover your baby in a hooded towel and pat him/her dry. Apply a baby lotion if the skin is peeling before you dress her.
