New parents often feel apprehensive while bathing their little ones. But when you follow the right tips, bath time with your newborn can be an absolute breeze! In case you’re just starting out, here’s everything you need to know on how to bathe a baby.
Step by step Baby Bath Procedure
Step 1:
Gather all the bath supplies (towel, plastic cup, and mild soap) and lay down the cloth, the clean diaper, and your babies clothes. The bathroom should be comfortably warm so that your child doesn’t feel any chill.
Step 2:
Once you’re done with arranging the supplies; fill the tub with almost three inches of water. This water should be lukewarm and not completely warm (ideally around 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius). You can check the warmth using your wrist or fingers.
Step 3:
Now, gradually slip your child into the tub. Place their feet into the tub and use one hand to give support to their head and neck area. After this, pour small cups of water over them and make sure they do not get too cold.
Step 4:
While most people do not recommend using soaps, you can still use a mild soap sparingly. Use this soap to wash your child from front to back and top to bottom. Use your hands to rub the soap gently on their body. You can begin by washing their scalp with a soapy, wet cloth. Now, rinse the cloth in warm water and use it once again to clean their face, neck, and eyes gently. If the area around your child’s eyes or nostrils have dried mucus, dab it for a couple of times so that it is soft enough to be wiped out. Clean your baby’s genitals in the same way.
Step 5:
After you’ve cleaned your baby with soap and wet cloth, thoroughly rinse them with small cups of water and wash them one last time with a semi-wet towel. After this, gently lift them from the tub while supporting their neck area with one hand, holding their bottom with another hand. Make sure you wrap your fingers around their thighs as babies tend to get extremely slippery when they’re wet. In case you don’t feel comfortable to bathe your baby alone, take help from some other adult.
Step 6:
Finally, wrap your child in a warm towel and pat them dry. If their skin has been peeling right since their birth, try using a mild baby lotion right after their bath time. Don’t worry if the skin peels a bit too much because this is the dead skin that is required to come off and not any dry skin. After your child is perfectly dry, diaper them and dress them.
Additional tips to ensure safe bathing:
Use sponge
In many cases, the newborn still has a stump of umbilical cord stuck to their body. In this situation, simple sponge baths once in a couple of days let them stay clean and dry. As you start bathing your kids, you’ll realize newborns, don’t usually get dirty. The only mess-prone areas are the diaper area and the area under the chin where their spit tends to tickle. So while bathing your kids, make sure you pay enough attention to these specific parts. If you’re just a beginner and if your baby is merely a newborn, avoid using soap and only bathe them with lukewarm water.
Take care of the tub
If you’re bathing your toddler in a bathtub, don’t put them right before the running water. This is because the temperature of the water can change, and the level of the water too can get very deep. And that’s not all! The sound of gushing water itself turns out to be slightly intense for certain babies. So make sure you follow the necessary precautions before you take your toddler for their bath time.
Another thing that you should ensure is the safety of the tub. Usually, bathtubs tend to be a bit too slippery. So always place a rubber mat on it for a safe and secure seating. You can always use a cushioned sprout cover or a well-covered hand towel. Both these items will protect your child against painful bumps.
Comfortably warm water
While bathing your child, make sure the bath water is pleasantly warm. You can test it with your fingers or your elbows to check the level of heat. Usually, both babies and toddlers prefer a more cooling tub than adults. So always make it appoint to ensure that the water is entirely lukewarm.
Fill adequate amounts of water in the tub
While filling water in the container, make sure you add the sufficient amounts. Usually, two to four inches of water (while sitting) is ideal for both babies and older kids. So as you fill up the tub, make sure the water is not more than waist-high.
Only use plain water
Always use plain water bathing toddlers and newborns. In case you want to clean the skin folds and the diaper area more thoroughly, use more water and gently rub those areas. But in any situation, avoid using soaps and shampoos. While both soaps and shampoos tend to give a cleaner feel, they end up drying the skin of your baby and leading to rashes.
However, in case, you have to’ use soap and have no other option, try using a mild one and apply it sparingly. Also, while you do that, do not let your child sit in the soapy water for too long. You can do this by playing with them at the beginning of their bath and then save up the shampoo/soap for the end.
Plan the timing
When you bathe your child, do not bathe them more than a few times every week. If you end up over-doing on the bathing regime, you’ll inadvertently cause their skin to dry up. So pick an ideal time during the day when your child is not hungry and slightly more restless. You can also try them bathing during the evening (an hour before you feed them) because the warm water will make them feel drowsy and help them settle for sleep.
How to bathe a baby is not tough. It’s just a skill. Once you follow these guidelines, bathing your baby will be a lot easier than ever! For more to learn click the link.