Guide to Newborn Bathing
Becoming a new parent is a scary prospect. There are so many new things to learn in order to care for a new, fragile life. What few people even give a second thought to is newborn bathing. The majority of parents find it very difficult to bathe their baby for the first time. Even though you use a small amount of water it is still fairly dangerous. But, it doesn’t actually have to be that difficult. We’re going to run through a really simple guide to bathing your newborn baby. Once you know how to do it you can start to relax and enjoy this time together.
The first time you put your baby in a bath they probably won’t know what is happening and they may feel a little scared. Not all babies like baths, and this may take a little adjustment. Just remember to be careful. A slipper and wiggly baby can be hard to keep a hold of, so take your time working with the baby and getting him or her in and out of the water.
How to Prepare the Bath
It doesn’t matter where you bathe your baby, as long as they are completely safe. Also, make sure that the water is kept clean and warm, not hot. A baby's skin is sensitive, so you don’t want to make the water too hot or it could be uncomfortable or even hurt them. You don’t have to put the bath in the bathroom, just make sure that wherever you put the bathing container that it’s stable, and won’t fall over.
Before you even start to consider newborn bathing you should make sure that everything is prepared in advance. Ensure that you have a clean towel, and clean set of clothes left out so that you can dress your baby as quickly as possible. If you find the bath is too slippery for your baby then you can place a towel inside the bath. Just put a small amount of water into the bath, so that you are not too stressed. When it comes to the temperature, use your elbow to test the temperature of the water, as this skin is very sensitive.
Newborn Bathing Guide:
1. Carefully select a time when you are going to bathe your baby. Choose a time when there will be no interruptions
2. Wash your baby’s face using cotton wool, paying special attention to their eyes by wiping from the inside to the outside.
3. Start undressing your baby.
4. Support his or her head with your one arm, and her bottom with the other. Be gentle when placing the baby into the bath.
5. Be gentle when washing the baby, as it is easy for babies to scare while undertaking a new experience.
6. You do not need to wash your baby’s hair every time you give him or her a bath; once or twice a week is fine.
7. The last thing you should wash is your baby’s genitals using just water.
8. Lift your baby out of the bath, put him or her onto a clean towel.
9. Wrap the baby in the towel and make sure that he or she is warm and dry.
10. If the baby has a diaper rash or dry skin then you can use some lotion or baby oil.
11. Put on your baby’s diaper then put on the rest of her clothes.
12. Empty the water out of the bath, clean it and put the bath away until the next time you need to use it.
You should never leave your baby in the bath by itself; it’s possible for a baby to drown in even a tiny amount of water.
If your baby is finding it hard to relax then you can try calming her down by singing or talking to her.
Newborn bathing doesn’t have to be as stressful as you might imagine. By following these simple steps you should both enjoy bath time.
Michelle Lee lives with her husband and son in Vero Beach, Florida. She has been an independent writer for 16 years.