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Categories:
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Bathing Tips
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It’s time for your baby’s first bath!!!
If your baby's cord has come off and the umbilical area has healed, your baby now is ready for a tub bath!
Below are some tips to make your baby’s bath a pleasure for both of you:
- Gather everything around you before you start the bathing.
- Make sure the room is warm, and the windows closed -- if necessary, use a heater to help warm it up.
- You can mix a little baby soap with warm water in a small bowl. Use this solution for washing, so you won't have to worry about getting too much soap on an already slippery baby.
- Get someone else to take a picture or two of your little one in the bath.
Step-by-step:- Choose a clean place to bathe your baby. I would recommend a sink (especially the kitchen sink, since it's higher it won't strain your back as much), or you can use a baby bathtub. One great tip is having a bath sponge insert or putting a hand towel on the bottom of the sink or tub, because babies tend to be very slippery, so it's important to have a non-skid cushion between them and the slippery surface.
- Make sure that the room is warm, draft-free and have everything you need ready. Close all windows and doors to avoid wind.
- Relax! Forget about answering the phone or the door or using the facilities.
- Fill the bath a few inches deep with warm (baby temperature) water. Most babies don't like the water running while they are in the bath, it scares them. Also, make sure to move the spigot (if you can) out of the way.
- Slowly get the baby undressed. Try talking to your baby in a soothing voice telling her/him what's going to happen while you're removing his/her clothing.
- While cradling the baby in your arms, speak reassuringly, always looking her/him in the eyes as you slowly lower her into the bath. Use your elbow to support the baby’s head as he/she gets used to the water.
- Start by washing her/his face. Use a very small amount of soap. (We cut a soft towel into little strips for washing the baby's face.) They really don't like having their whole face covered, so just wash one small area at a time.
- Next, wash the top of the head and work your way down... don't forget behind the ears, her neck and under the arms -- all places where stuff can accumulate.
- Wash your baby's arms and legs. Make sure to rinse their little fingers and toes, it's amazing the lint that collects in those areas.
- Clean around the belly button, and finally, the diaper zone. Rinse this area thoroughly.
- Once you've washed the front of baby, it's time to clean the back. Cup your hand around the baby's neck and hold your little one up, so that with the other hand, you can clean her/his back and rear.
- Lean your baby back and firmly, put a hand under each of the underarm, lean her/him slowly forward and pick her/him up out of the bath. Gently lay her/him down on the towel.
- Dry your baby. Some babies like hooded towels; it is comforting to them and keeps their wet heads warm. (Make sure the hood doesn't cover their eyes). Just make sure that you keep your little one's head warm while you dry her.
- Your baby's clean! Now it is time for a new diaper and a clean outfit!!!
Checklist:
____ A warm room
____ A sparkling clean baby bath (or sink) with soft insert (towel or sponge)
____ Running water
____ Baby soap
____ Wash cloth and small face washing cloth
____ Clean baby towel
____ Clean outfit
____ Two clean diapers (just in case)
____ your baby!
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