12 Steps Guide on Bathing a Newborn Baby
It is important to bath your baby to keep him/her healthy and happy. For first time mothers, this might be scary initially, but with the right preparation and practice, you’ll nail the routine down to a tee. Follow these simple tips and baby bath time will be a breeze. Of course, before we get started, please keep in mind that you must have at least one hand on your infant while in the bath.
1. Sponge More
If the umbilical cord stump of your baby is still sticking out, simple sponge baths every few days will keep him/her clean and dry all the time. Babies don’t get very dirty, except at their diaper area, and under chins where split-up trickles, so be attentive to those parts. Soap is not necessary all the time. What you need is some lukewarm but not hot water.
2. Ease into Water
Having brought your baby over to the bath area, remove his clothes and diapers and gently lower into the water with one arm holding the baby up. Doing this alone can be nerve-wracking, so having support is very helpful. The washcloth can then be used to wash from top to bottom, starting with the face, around the eyes and his ears, then down to the torso and legs, finishing with his bum.
3. Be Great at Timing
Try to give baths no more than a few times weekly. Anything more than this and you could dry your baby’s super soft skin. Pick a perfect time within the day when your baby is suitably rested and not hungry (not immediately after eating as your child might spit up). For some parents, they give their baby a bath in the evening, about one hour after feeding, right before putting the baby to bed. This is because warm water helps the baby to feel drowsy and ready to sleep.
4. Go Tear-Free
With babies, you don’t need plenty of soap. But a bit on their bottoms is essential. If they have any hair, you can use a little shampoo. When selecting bath products, ensure you are buying tear-free and gentle shampoos and baby washes. Lavender wash has been praised by many mothers. It has s soothing, drowsy effect on the little one.
5. Save the Shampooing
If you are using shampoo, save it for last so your babe isn’t sitting in sudsy water, which can cause dryness. Leaving your baby’s hair wet can also cause him/her to feel colder, so you should ensure you get him/her out of the bath as soon as possible.
6. Gather Your Supplies
Collect everything needed and place them within arm’s length of the baby bath before even starting the bath. These include washcloth, soap, diapers, shampoo, hooded towels, and clothes. For the best wash, use our bamboo baby washcloths as they are ultra-soft and gentle and are extremely absorbent. Also while washing, change parts of the washcloth so that you are using clean cloth on all the body parts.
7. Have a Helper
For the first couple of times, have someone standing close by to help out with your baby’s bath. Since you cannot leave your baby unattended in water for any amount of time, having a helper step in while you are away from bath will be crucial. Also, if you are not sure how the baby will react to the bath, having someone else who can provide advice on how to soothe your crying and wailing babe will be great.
8. Use a Bath Mat
A slippery baby is a wet and soapy baby, but with a bath pad or pillow, you can keep your slippery sweetie in one sweet spot. You use a towel to line your sink or tub which adds more comfort and a bit of warmth.
9. Temperature Check
Your baby doesn’t need much water since he is teeny-tiny. Have as little as possible, at least an inch or two, especially since you’ll be laying your baby down in the tub. The skin of babies is more sensitive than that of adults, so ensure you pay close attention to the temperature of the water. Water that may feel pleasantly warm to you may be too hot for your infant. Use your elbow or the inside of your wrist to test the temperature of the water. The water should not be hot but warm.
10. Go Tropical
Crank up the thermostat to even out temperature before putting your baby in the bath. This will keep your baby in a cozy environment when he’s in and out of water. This might keep the tears at bay.
11. Expect Some Tears
While you just want your baby to enjoy a warm bath, your baby may see it as yet another shockingly uncomfortable experience, and one that might not be enjoyable. If this is the case, reduce the bath time and get him/her dried and in a snugly outfit as soon as possible. You can also get him/her less frightened of bathing and crying by bathing together. Ensure the water isn’t too hold, while someone stands by holding your baby while you get in and out of the bath.
Also, don’t be surprised if there is a big diaper blowout just after you’ve got him/her lotioned, powdered, and dressed. For many new parents, post-bath diaper disaster seems to be a rite of passage.
12. Dry carefully with Bamboo Towels
After giving your baby a soft wash, clean him/her up and dry him/her carefully with a hooded towel and ensure you get all the little folds of skin to prevent irritation and rashes. The best towel for drying is a bamboo baby hooded towel. The last thing you want is to use a towel that can damage or irritate your baby’s skin and bamboo hooded towels are is soft and comfortable. Also, the bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial, which makes it safer and gentler for young ones, protecting their sensitive skin and keeping them warm while drying off.