Baby’s bath time is an exquisite experience for you and your baby. It creates an ideal opportunity for bonding as your baby enjoys the water. You might sing softly or talk to your baby to give your newborn comfort and reassurance.
Baby’s First Bath
Your baby’s first bath can be a stressful experience, but subsequent baths will build your confidence. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the postponing of a baby’s first bath until a few days after birth. This is to prevent the drying out of the baby’s skin. Vernix is a protective substance found on a newborn’s skin that prevents the skin from drying out. Postponing your baby’s first bath ensures that it is not removed sooner than is necessary.
The World Health Organization also advises you should wait, least 24 hours, before the baby’s first bath. If bathed sooner, the newborn would be highly susceptible to hypothermia and hypoglycemia.
Since babies don’t sweat frequently they don’t need a bath often. Bathing three times a week is adequate for the first few months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents give sponge baths to their newborns until the baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off.
Benefits of Baby Bath time
Bathtime boosts the parent-child bond. From the first time you give your newborn a bath and beyond, bathing is a precious opportunity for you and your baby to spend quality time together. As your hands clean your baby in the water, your baby feels loved. Gazing into your baby’s eyes, singing, making cooing noises, and giving kisses will make your baby feel loved and secure.
Baths can also be a learning opportunity for your little one. Your baby learns the refreshing and comforting effects of water. As time progresses, your infant will kick and play in the bathwater and enjoy splashing in it. A baby learns through play that soap produces lather, and you can also utilize this opportunity to teach the names of the various body parts.
Bathing can soothe a fussy baby. Soaking your baby in a baby bathtub makes them feel calm and relaxed. You can also massage your baby after a bath to make the experience even more pleasurable.
A bath is also a great way to prepare your baby for sleep. When coming out of a warm bath, the body temperature drops a degree or two, which induces sleep hormones. You can also make giving your baby a bath a part of your bedtime routine. The warm room, the warm water, and your presence give your baby the feeling of being safe and loved and can help your baby to fall asleep.
How to Bathe a Newborn
Bathing your newborn doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Adequate preparation will make it easier and more enjoyable. It is recommended, for safety, to keep one hand on your baby at all times, however you choose to bathe your infant. You can bathe your newborn with a sponge, in an infant tub, or in your sink.
How to give an infant a sponge bath
A sponge bath is essential for the first one or two weeks of your baby’s life before the umbilical cord stump has healed. Sponge baths can also be used to clean parts of your baby’s body individually. Before the sponge bath, ensure all the required supplies within your reach.
Baby bath supplies include: clean and warm (but never hot) water, mild baby soap, a clean dry towel, a clean diaper, and a washcloth.
Steps for a sponge bath:
- Warm the room to about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.8 degrees Celsius). Undress your baby and swaddle him/her in a baby towel.
- Place your newborn on a flat surface, such as a changing table, bed, or floor. Always have one hand on the baby to prevent falling.
- Remove the towel one section at a time and clean the exposed part.
- Begin with the baby’s face and head. Soap should be avoided here to stop it from getting into your baby’s eyes or mouth. Soak a washcloth with warm water and wipe behind the ears, around the neck, chin, folds, eyes, and head.
- Add a small amount of soap to the warm water. Soak the washcloth and squeeze out the soapy water. Clean the rest of your baby with the soapy washcloth.
- Gently clean, paying particular attention to the creases under the arms and in the diaper area.
- Dry your baby including between the skin folds, with a clean towel. A hooded towel will keep the head from getting cold as your baby dries.
- Put on a diaper and dress your baby.
How to bathe an infant in a tub
You should only give your baby a bath in an infant tub when the umbilical cord stump has healed and never leave your baby alone there.
Steps for a bath in an infant tub:
- Fill the tub with about 2 to 3 inches of warm, not hot, water, which is adequate for an infant.
- Undress your baby and gently lower them into the water immediately so that they don’t get cold.
- Support your infant’s head with one hand and lower baby into the infant tub feet first. The baby’s head and neck should stay above water at all times for safety.
- Gently pour water on your baby’s body to keep them warm while in the tub.
- Clean the baby’s face and hair with a washcloth and shampoo the baby’s hair once or twice a week.
- Use a washcloth to wash the rest of your baby from the head down, finishing at the feet.
- When you are finished bathing, lift your baby out of the tub, and with a clean towel, dry your baby well. Pay particular attention to creases under the arms, around the neck, behind the ears, and in the diaper area.
- Avoid lotions and powders. Your baby’s skin may look dry after a bath but you shouldn’t apply after-bath products. A newborn’s skin is enriched with natural oils, so lotions are unnecessary. Powder can also be harmful since its particles can enter a baby’s lungs and cause respiratory complications.
- You can then put on a clean diaper and dress your baby.
Bathing your newborn in a sink
You can also use your kitchen sink to bathe a newborn. You will need a sink insert to place in the kitchen sink before bathing your baby. The sink insert is slightly different from a traditional baby tub.
Sink inserts fit inside the sink, to cushion your baby’s body against the hard and cold sink sides. It will give your baby a comfortable and enjoyable bath. Sink inserts are designed for infants up to 6 months. A bath in the sink is preferable when your home is smaller, when traveling or if you have a backache.
Babies who can sit by themselves can be bathed in a full bathtub. Bath toys or books make bath time more enjoyable for everyone. Bubbles and soaps should be limited since they can cause your baby’s skin to dry out.
How to wash your baby’s scalp and hair
Washing your baby’s scalp and hair twice weekly is enough. Apply a little baby shampoo onto your baby’s hair or scalp and massage gently. Rinse the shampoo out by wiping it with a damp washcloth.
When using a baby tub, you can tilt your baby’s head backward, place one hand on the baby’s forehead to protect the eyes, and pour warm water over the head to rinse.
If your baby has cradle cap, brush the hair gently and cautiously and avoid picking or scraping the scalp.
Do You Need Soap to Bathe a Newborn?
You can use a fragrance-free baby wash or mild baby soap to bathe your newborn. Regular soap should be avoided as it can be harsh and dry out your baby’s fragile skin. Your newborn’s skin doesn’t need moisturizers, lotions, or other skincare products.
General guidelines when using soap:
- Use soap sparingly and only on areas that are dirty and that cannot be easily cleaned with clean water.
- When using a new soap for the first time, rub a tiny drop on the baby’s body. If it reacts, stop using it and pick another.
- Use mild soap. Those for babies have fewer additives such as fragrance, abrasives, or antimicrobial substances.
- Restrict the soap’s time on your child’s skin to not more than 5 minutes. Wash it quickly and rinse it off properly.
- Avoid intense scrubbing of your child’s skin.
Eczema and Other Skin Conditions
If your child is susceptible to eczema or suffers from allergic dermatitis, use soap sparingly and reduce the number of baths. In such instances, specially formulated products that are prescribed by a dermatologist could be helpful.
Babies with highly sensitive skin ought to be showered or spot cleaned. If you notice skin conditions occurring, then go back to sponge baths.
Similarly, shampoos can cause irritations if overused. Use mild baby shampoos since they contain fewer additives than the others. If your baby has cradle cap (a crusty, flaky, oily substance on the scalp) massage a little vegetable oil to the scalp after shampooing. The crust will soften and you can easily remove it with a soft comb.
Excess soap and shampoo can conceal your baby’s natural scents. Mothers love the natural scent of their babies. Babies also love their mothers’ scents and so mothers should avoid perfumes and scented oils. Additionally, some babies may be irritated by perfumes.
What is the Ideal Temperature for Baby’s Bathwater?
You should bathe your baby in warm, but not hot water. Use a bath thermometer to ensure that the water temperature is at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37-38 degrees Celsius) which is ideal and safe for babies. You can also test the water using your wrist or elbow.
Stir the water in the tub to make sure it is uniformly warm. When preparing bath water, put in cold water first and then add the warmer water.
How Often Can You Bathe Your Baby?
Bathing your baby three times a week is sufficient in the first year. You can increase the frequency as your baby grows older.
Frequent baths can dry out your baby’s skin especially when soap or baby wash is added.
Positive Association
Associating bath time as an enjoyable event can make your baby happier to take a bath. Following the bath with cuddling or a soothing body massage will give your baby additional positive associations with bathing. This will mean your baby will enjoy their bath more and more.
How to Soothe a Newborn during a Bath
- Skin-to-skin contact will calm your baby down. Undress and get into the water with your baby. You can also breastfeed your baby while in the bathtub.
- As the baby grows up, use bath toys like rubber ducks to soothe the baby whilst bathing.
Keeping Bath Time Safe
Close supervision is required during baby baths. Never leave your baby unsupervised during bath time, as they can drown in even a few centimeters of water.
You should always be sure the room is warm enough and that the water is at the right temperature. Always wrap your child in a towel during sponge baths and after bathing, to make sure that they do not get too cold.
After bathing together, you should take precautions to avoid slipping. It is safer to let another person hold your baby while you get out of the tub. You can also place your baby on a towel before you get out.
Conclusion
There is no best or worst formula for bathing your baby. Opt for a convenient method for you and your family. Make bath time an interesting and fun time to be with your infant, and let your little one enjoy this routine time with you.
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