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Bathing a newborn baby is a nerve-wracking affair. Just imagine a small, soapy, squirmy, and in most cases screaming tiny human. Nevertheless, bathing a baby doesn’t have to be an extreme sport. Here’s how to bathe a baby step by step to keep you from feeling like you’re catching a live eel with your bare hands.
Many new moms are terrified of the thought of bathing their newborn babies. It doesn’t help that sometimes, moms are clueless about where to begin. Many unfounded fears surround bathing a baby, but they should not keep you from enjoying bath time.
Bath time should be a special time to bond between mother and baby. Follow these baby bath tips and enjoy this special time.
When Should I Bathe My Baby For The First Time?
You may have noticed that the baby’s first bath in the hospital is delayed – the baby does not go from the womb to the washbasin. You can delay your baby’s first bath for up to 48 hours.
Delaying the baby’s first bath helps them adjust better to their new environment. This also keeps them from getting infections since the protective wax is still on their bodies.
Babies generally have very little fat on their bodies. Dipping them in water may cause them to lose body heat.
Preparing A Baby’s First Bath
A baby’s first bath does not have to be full immersion. The baby should be sponge bathed the first few days until the cord stump falls.
To prepare for the first bath, ensure that you have collected all the baby bathing accessories before undressing the baby. For his first bath, you will need warm water, cotton wool, and a bath towel. You will also need some baby oil and a light hairbrush.
The newborn bath’s temperature should be between 37° and 38°. Use your elbow to check the temperature of the water if a thermometer is not easily accessible.
The best time of day to bath baby is when it’s warmest. Depending on where you live, choose the time of the day that will least expose the baby to cold.
Ensure that his towel and change of clothes are on the ready. This prevents the baby from getting too cold while you run around, gathering soap, creams, and wash towels.
Make sure that the room the baby will be washed in warm, close all the windows before you undress him.
How To Bath A Newborn Baby With Umbilical Cord
The baby bath procedure will depend on whether the umbilical cord stump has detached or not. If the cord has not fallen off yet, do not immerse the baby. Instead, follow these two baby washing techniques.
Sponge Wash
To sponge your baby, lay him on a safe surface away from the edges. Put a waterproof material under him, lined with a cloth.
A cotton swab or a soft flannel is the best sponge for a newborn bath. Sponge the baby softly, starting with the eyes. The eyes should be wiped from the inside to the outer side.
Wipe the baby under the folds, small segments at a time. Do not leave the baby exposed. Once you’re done with one part, cover him and move to the next. Do this until all body parts have been cleaned. Pat him dry, apply some baby oil, and give him a fresh change of clothes.
Topping and Tailing
Topping and tailing refer to wiping the baby at his ‘top and tail.’ To do this, you clean the baby’s head, neck, arms, and bottom. This is one of the best ways to bathe your newborn for the first time.
The chubbier the baby, the deeper the folds; reach under the folds to wash off any dirt that may be hiding there.
When Can You Submerge A Baby In Water?
Full-body immersion should wait until the umbilical cord has dropped. Immersing the baby in water before then will delay the drying and dropping of the stump.
If the baby is immersed in water and the umbilical cord gets wet, pat it dry and let it air dry completely before dressing the baby up. A perpetually damp stump will take long to drop and may get infected.
How To Bathe A Baby Step By Step
Make sure that all the baby washing essentials are within reach, and the water is at the right temperature.
Ensure your baby is safe by supporting the baby with one hand and use the other one to wash them. Tighten your grip on the baby; he will be very slippery when he gets wet and soapy.
Take the baby’s age into account and whether they have already found a bath routine that excites them. Bathing a one-month-old baby will be different from bathing a six-month-old baby who can already sit.
Start with the face, wiping the eyes with a cotton swab. Wipe from the corner of the eye towards the ears. Do not use the same cotton swab for both eyes.
Next, wipe his face with the clean cloth. Remember to wipe behind the ears as well. Do not insert the cloth in the baby’s ears. The wax acts as a protective covering, removing it might cause ear infections.
Afterward, wash the baby’s hair with a drop of baby shampoo and water. Be careful not to soap touch the baby’s eyes. Scrub the hair gently as the scalp is still soft and sensitive. Dry the baby’s head before moving on to the rest of the body.
Carefully wash the baby’s underarms and body, do not forget to wipe the folds on the thighs, neck, and arms.
Next, wash the baby’s bottom, wiping front to back for girls. This prevents bacteria from entering the urinary tract ad, causing infections. Rinse the baby’s bottoms and make sure all the soap is out.
Rinse the baby with clean, warm water and place him on a dry, warm towel. Wrap him up and pat him dry.
Do not let the baby stay naked for long. Put some natural oil such as olive oil or coconut oil on his face and body and dress him up quickly. Swaddle him if he’s still at the swaddling stage and give him some kangaroo time.
Give the baby a massage to help him sleep better and to reduce the effects of colic. Rub the tummy in circular motions to release any trapped gas.
The baby was pretty cramped up in the womb. Stretching the baby’s muscles helps him relax and have better sleep. If the bay is screaming in pain, you’re pressing too hard.
Baby Washing Frequently Asked Questions
When Do I Start Using Baby Soap?
Unscented soap can be used on the baby any time from the 4th week. The soap must be mild and marked safe to use on babies. A soap that is too harsh will irritate the baby’s nasal membranes and cause nasal congestion.
The baby’s skin also cannot withstand harsh soaps and may break out with contact dermatitis.
How Long After Eating Can A Baby Take A Bath?
A bath immediately after a meal may cause the baby to throw up. Baby washing is a fairly rough affair with some jostling here and there.
If the last feed was too long before, the baby will be hungry and raise a storm in the washbasin. Keep the time between feeding time and bathing time at about an hour or two.
How To Bathe A Newborn Without A Baby Tub?
No baby tub? No problem. You can wash the baby in the kitchen or the laundry sink instead. Use a sink stopper to let the water collect in the sink. Ensure that the water is at the right temperature and follow the steps above to wash your baby.
If your baby doesn’t like sinks, try the shower. Hold the baby close to yourself and be ready to get a good soaking as well.
How Often Should I Bathe My Baby?
Babies do not need to have a bath every day, once every three days is sufficient. Younger babies especially do not get too dirty and will do just fine without a full immersion bath.
A quick sponge bath is sufficient to keep the little guy fresh and clean.
Final Words
A clean baby smells good, but a healthy, calm baby is more important. The how-to bathe a baby step by step guide is good, but let the baby guide you as well.
Bath times are supposed to be fun. Do not force a screaming and unsettled baby into a bathtub. If he associates bath time with distress, he may never enjoy them.
If your baby seems to dislike bath times, shake up your routine a little bit. Sometimes it’s the timing that is wrong, or the water temperature is either too low or too high.
Put some soothing music and dim the lights to give him a pleasant bathing experience. A pre-bath routine might also mentally prepare him for the birth.
