A Guide to Bathing your Newborn

Bathing the baby is an activity most parents treasure. It allows for bonding with the baby, and the tiny tots also enjoy the feel of warm water on their skin. As pleasant as bathing may be, most parents of newborns can be anxious and worry about when and how to do it well. If you are one of the anxious ones, there is no need to worry.

Here is a guide to bathing your newborn:

First, it is worth noting that you shouldn’t give your newborn a regular bath until their umbilical cord stump dries and falls off. That is to prevent infections. During the first few weeks, before the healing of the cord stump, a sponge bath should do the job perfectly. Also, newborn babies do not get that dirty. You do not need to bathe them every day. Two to three times a week is enough to keep them clean. The baths should also not take too long. Less than ten minutes is enough time for a bath. That is to prevent skin from drying and avoid skin issues like eczema because baby skin is sensitive.

Preparing for a newborn bath

Here are a few tips for setting up for a newborn bath:

Remove all possible distractions. Put your phone on silent or switch it off when bathing your baby to ensure minimal distractions.
Have all the baby bath supplies within reach. That is to make sure that you do not leave the baby’s sight to get anything.
Go slow on soaps to avoid drying out your baby’s skin. Opt for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotions and gentle non-soap cleansers.
Have the bathtub on a stable surface. It should be at a height where you can hold your baby comfortably.
Fill the baby bathtub with warm water. The temperature of the water should be about 37 to 38 degrees Celsius. If you do not have a thermometer, test with your wrist or elbow to confirm that the water is warm, not hot.
Remove your watch and any other jewelry that could scratch the baby’s skin. Then, wash your hands.

Steps for giving your newborn a bath

Dip a ball of cotton wool in lukewarm water, then squeeze out excess water. Wipe the eyelids with cotton wool. The motion should be from the inner eye to the outer eye. Get a new piece of cotton wool for each wipe.
After you finish the eyes, proceed to wash the whole face. Be careful not to put water in the baby’s ears, mouth, or nose.
Undress the baby. Take off the diaper last.
Gently hold your baby’s shoulders and head with one arm and use the other to support their body.
Lower them slowly into the bath, starting with the feet and maintaining close hold the entire time.
While supporting the baby’s head, lay them in the bath and splash some water on their head. Using shampoo is optional. And if you are to use it, opt for one suitable for the baby’s sensitive skin.
Use a soft cloth to wipe the baby’s skin. Wash the bottom and genitals last. Clean out dirt from the baby’s body creases.
When you finish the bath time, remove the baby from the water and wrap them up in a clean, dry towel, ready for oiling and dressing.

Tip:

A serious point to note is that it only takes a few seconds for a baby to drown. You should, therefore, never leave your baby alone in the bath. If something else calls for your immediate attention, remove the baby from the water first.

Wrapping up

With this guide, bathing your newborn will never be a daunting task. You will enjoy every minute of bonding with your little one as you gently splash water on their body and watch them marvel at the world around them.

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