Giving your baby a bath can be a pleasure for both of you, but there are steps to take to ensure your child’s safety and comfort.
There’s really no need to bathe your baby every day. Bathing an infant too often can lead to dry skin. Besides, how dirty can one infant get? Until your child is crawling around and getting into everything, bathing only every two or three days is recommended. When your baby is first brought home from the hospital, it’s best to not give him a tub bath until his umbilical cord has healed. For the first six weeks, he should have a sponge bath instead.
Always collect your supplies prior to your baby’s bath. You don’t want to leave your child unattended for any reason. Washcloth, towels, soap and lotion should all be immediately at hand. Lay a comfortable towel or blanket down on a flat area and undress your baby. Once his clothes and diaper are removed, place a blanket or towel over him so he doesn’t get cold.
Start with his head and work your way down. Take a soft bathing sponge or washcloth and begin at the top of baby’s head. If your newborn has hair, first wet with a damp washcloth. Use a very small amount of shampoo and massage into his head. Rinse by gently wiping with a clean washcloth until all the shampoo is removed. Pat dry with a soft towel.
While you’re washing the baby, sing or talk all the while. Your baby may not like being bathed and your chatter will be a nice distraction. If your baby doesn’t have enough hair to warrant the use of shampoo, take your wash cloth and gently massage her scalp clean. Wash her face as well, without using soap, which may dry out her delicate skin. Do your best to avoid the eye area. Make sure to clean ears and neck and get in all the folds of the skin. These are the places where milk or formula, as well as sweat, can collect and cause a rash if not properly maintained. Dry as you go along so your baby doesn’t get cold.
If your baby is a boy, it may be a good idea to place a washcloth or diaper over his penis to avoid being squirted. There are many products on the market to use as an alternative to soap. These are less drying than “adult” soaps. If you don’t want to spend the money on a baby bath product, use a gentle soap, preferably one for sensitive skin. Baby bath soap can be put on a washcloth and applied directly to your baby’s skin. If you’re using a gentle “adult” soap, however, place it in a bowl of warm water so the soap melts into the water. Use the soapy water to clean your baby’s arms, legs and body, taking care to get into all the crevices and folds of the skin. Rinse by gently wiping with a clean, damp cloth. Pat dry.
To clean her back and behind, gently roll baby over so she’s on her tummy, with her head turned to one side. Make sure the umbilical cord stays dry. It used to be recommended that you heal the umbilical stump by moistening a cotton ball or swab with some rubbing alcohol and gently wiping the stump clean, but now experts are saying this is unnecessary, and the stump will heal fine on its own. With a soft towel, gently dry your baby. Apply a small amount of baby lotion to your baby’s skin, avoiding the umbilical cord and genital area. If needed, apply ointment to any diaper rash. Diaper and dress your baby as usual.
When the umbilical stump has healed, it’s time to graduate to a tub bath. Many people prefer to bathe their babies just before nap or bedtime because she’s more relaxed that way. No matter what the time of day, make sure it’s during a time you won’t be interrupted. If the doorbell or telephone rings, either ignore it or wrap your baby in a warm towel and take her with you. Never, under any circumstances, leave your baby unattended in a tub. As with the sponge bath, gather all the items you will need for your bath ahead of time. You’ll need to focus all your attention on your baby’s comfort and safety and can’t be distracted by looking for bath products.
Most people purchase plastic infant tubs for baby bathing, but it’s not necessary. The kitchen sink works just as well. Whatever your tub of choice, fill it only two to three inches with warm water. The ideal temperature would be ninety to ninety-five degrees. It’s probably a good idea to set the heat of the bathing room to about seventy-five degrees so your baby doesn’t get too cold.
Once you have everything you need for your baby’s bath, bring him to the bathing area and remove his clothes. Using one hand to support his head and neck, gently lay him in his bath. If this is his first tub bath, he may not resemble the happy, splashing babies in television commercials. In fact, it may take a little while before your child enjoys a bath. Using a very mild soap, wash him much as you did when you gave him a sponge bath. Start with his head and work your way down. Take care to not get any soap on his face. Make sure you clean in all the creases and crevices of his skin. When the bath is over, gently lift him out of the tub, but hold tight. Wet babies are slippery and tend to squirm. Wrap him in a warm, hooded towel and gently pat dry.
Lay your baby on a flat surface covered by a towel and thoroughly dry. Make sure to get into all the areas water can collect such as under the neck and the folds of the knees and elbows. Once she’s dry, massage a little baby lotion into her skin to keep it from drying. Dress and diaper as usual. Being a new parent can be overwhelming and the thought of bathing your child can be a little scary. Once you are both used to the routine, however, it can become a pleasant bonding experience.
