How To Guide For Bathing Your Baby
If you are a new parent who has just welcomed your baby home, there may be some concerns that pop up as you learn how to care for your little one. Bath time is one of those caretaking tasks that many new parents worry about. Questions such as when to give a baby a bath and how to do so safely may flood into your mind. Today we are going to dive right in and share some tips and tricks for making bath time fun, while addressing some of the most common questions surrounding keeping your sweet baby clean!
Step One: Be Prepared
You will want to begin by preparing the space where the baby's bath will take place. Some parents use a baby bath tub, while others prefer to use a space such as a sink. Either way, you will want to be sure your bath space is clean and sanitized before you begin. Next, gather a fresh towel, 1-2 washcloths and an all-natural baby soap of your choice. Place these things in a spot that is easy to reach from your bath station.
Step Two: Fill The Water & Test the Temperature
You will not need much water to fill the baby's bath with. About one to two inches of water for them to sit in is just perfect, especially for an infant. Be sure to test the temperature of the water before placing the baby into it. It should feel lukewarm and comfortable to the touch. If you would like to use a bath tub thermometer, right around 100 degrees Fahrenheit is a good temperature to aim for. If you do not have a bath tub thermometer, be sure to submerge your hand in the water before using it on the baby just to be sure it is not too cold or too hot, as this will make the baby uncomfortable.
Step Three: Begin The Bath
Once the water is ready, gently set the baby into the water. You may want to cover any of their exposed body with an extra washcloth while washing each part of them as a way to keep them from getting chilly while in the water. Using a washcloth, gently lather up some baby soap and wash their body. Carefully wipe their faces and pay special attention to avoid getting water in their eyes, nose, mouth and ears. You can use a washcloth to wash their hair as well as that can help ease the process of washing the top of their head. You will also want to be sure to open up their little hands and clean in between their fingers and palms. Babies love to keep their hands clenched in a fist and lots of gunk can build up in them surprisingly! Wash between their toes as well because hair and lint can easily be trapped within toes and fingers and it is important to clean those spaces out. Pay special attention to areas that have folds and creases as sweat and spit up can get lodged in those areas and create discomfort. These spaces are usually found under the neck, armpits and in between leg and arm folds. You will also want to wash the diaper area well. Once you are finished soaping them up, rinse them off with fresh water. Keep in mind that you do not need to use much soap on your infant as too much soap can dry out their skin and lead to flaking or eczema. Just a little bit of soap and plenty of clean water will do the trick!
Step Four: Dry Them Off
Once you are ready to dry them off, gently lift the baby out of the water and place them on a clean, dry towel. You may even want to toss the towel into the dryer for a few minutes before bath time begins so that it is extra snuggly and warm! Gently pat them dry until the water is off of their body. If you would like to moisturize their skin, you could try using some organic coconut oil or natural baby lotion. While this is not always needed, you may find that you enjoy that part of the routine. Perhaps you could also offer them a baby massage after bath time as a way to bond and calm them! You can read more about that topic here: BABY MASSAGE
Step Five: Get Baby Dressed
Once bath time is through and they are all dried off, it is time to get them dressed! If their hair is a bit damp, you may want to avoid taking them outside right away, especially if the weather is cold as you don’t want them to get too chilly. Baby hair typically dries very quickly though so it should not take long before they are ready for your next adventure of the day!
Commonly Asked Questions
Question: What if my baby still has their umbilical cord stump?
Answer: It is best to avoid submerging the area directly into water and try to keep that part dry during their bath. A sponge bath is an easy way to navigate bath time while they still have the umbilical cord stump. If it does accidently get wet, don’t fret! Simply pat it dry.
Question: How often does my baby need a bath?
Answer: Many parents have varying views on how often to bathe their baby. Some feel that once a week is plenty, while others choose to bathe more frequently. Typically, every couple of days in the first few months is just fine. As your baby gets older and begins crawling around on the floor or if they are held by others who may touch their hands and face, you may find more frequent bathing is preferred. If you have specific questions, you can chat with your little one’s care provider to find a frequency that feels right to you.
Question: How can I be sure I won’t drop the baby while they are wet?
Answer: Babies are very slippery when they are wet! Their delicate skin can sometimes make it feel like they will slip right through your hands. Just be sure to keep all of the bath time supplies within reach so that you don’t have to stretch or move around too much while bathing them. Also, keep a dry towel nearby to wipe your hands on if you need to lift them out to help make your grasp feel more secure. Lastly, try not to lift them too far immediately out of the tub to avoid a slippery grasp. Place them on their towel right out of the bath so that they can get dried off before you move them around. Keeping the towel right next to the bath area can help eliminate the need to carry them far while wet.
Question: What should I look for in baby soap or lotion?
Answer: Using an all-natural soap and lotion is important to keep harmful chemicals off of your baby. While there are many brands on the market, finding an option with few ingredients that are clearly labeled is a great place to start. If you breastfeed, breastmilk can also be used during bath time as a natural way to wash and cleanse their skin. Organic coconut oil is a great choice as a natural moisturizer after bath time is through.
Tips To Remember
Never leave your baby unattended in the bath tub for any reason. Even once they are able to sit up, avoid leaving them alone as this can pose an immediate danger. As they grow, keep their hands out of reach of the faucet as well to be sure they do not accidentally turn on the water. Freezing cold or steaming hot water can startle and injure them so you will want to be proactive on that risk. Be sure to keep all electronic devices away from the bath area as well for safety reasons. Lastly, if your baby tends to cry and does not enjoy bath time, try not to stress. Calmly talking and singing to them can help comfort them and make bath time more enjoyable and they will feed off of your relaxed energy. Likewise, if you are nervous and stressed, they can feed off of that energy, so it is worth the effort to remain calm.
Questions
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