You might be a little bit worried about giving the first bath to your baby.
You must wonder what is the best and the safest way to wash your little one.
As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, as long as the umbilical cord is still attached (about 2 weeks or so), it is suggested that you should only use a wet sponge to wash your little one. You can use a mild soap as well.
You have to remember one thing and that is never bathe your babies when they are sleepy. Always bathe your baby when they are active.
A daily bath isn’t necessary for a baby until they start getting dirty on the ground. You can bathe your baby two or three times a week.
How to Bathe a Baby
1. Make sure everything is ready before the bath begins. Because once the baby is in the bath, you won’t be able to leave him or her for even a second, it’s important to set out everything you need before you begin including:
- Clean clothes and a clean nappy.
- Lotion or oil.
- Soft, warm towels (one large and one medium).
- A nappy bucket for the baby’s dirty clothes.
2. Make sure the bathtub is comfortable, and at a safe height. If the bathtub is resting on a stool, it must be completely stable.
3. The room must be warm (especially in the winter) and free from cold drafts. The temperature of the room should be about 18-21 deg C (65-70 deg F). It is a good idea to have a room thermometer in your baby’s bedroom. It will tell you the room temperature.
4. Pour cold water into the bathtub; then, add the warm water to it. The temperature of the water must be tested with your elbow or bath thermometer before putting the baby in. It should be just comfortably warm (around 30 degrees). Have a jug of hot water close by to top up if the water gets cold – but do not add it while the baby is in the bath.
5. Now take off all baby’s clothes, apart from their vest and nappy. Next, wrap them in a towel.
6. Hold the baby over the bath, with your hand at the nape of his neck, supporting his head with your arm under his body.
7. Wash his/her face with water only for the first few weeks, using cotton wool or a muslin square.
8. If you wish you can also use good quality baby soap. Cheap ones can cause a baby’s skin problems.
9. Next wet and soap baby’s body, neck, arms, and legs. Begin with his neck, running a soapy finger in all the creases.
10. Then wash the baby’s scalp; if you use baby shampoo, use your hand to protect the baby’s eyes from being irritated.
11. Now pour the water on your baby’s body.
12. After finishing the bath lift your baby out of the water onto a towel with one hand supporting her neck and head.
13. Now dry the baby’s body first, making sure to dry gently behind the ears and in the skin folds, so that no excess moisture is left there. Make sure that all his creases are well-dried, using the second towel if necessary.
Now you have completed the baby bathing safely. Finally, you are able to wear clothes for your baby.
Conclusion:
One final thought that I want to add, I found the best time to bathe the baby is in the evening before the baby goes to bed. As they will often have less trouble going to sleep and they can find it relaxing. It will help give your baby a good night’s sleep.
