Bathing
Many first time parents are unsure how to go about bathing their newborn baby, and what would normally be considered a simple task does need special care and attention when it is for a baby. There are some simple pointers to bear in mind when it comes to bathing your infant, some of which are listed below:
- Remember, during the first year or so your baby won’t need to be bathed too much. Most babies are fine with two or three baths each week, but you should make sure that you keep his or her bottom clean every time you change the diaper, as this is the area that will require the most cleaning.
- For the first couple of weeks a sponge bath is sufficient for the baby, and this can be continued until the baby loses the stump of the umbilical cord. You can do this in a warm room using mild baby soap, a basing of warm water, and a rinsed wash cloth. Do the baby’s face first with the damp cloth and then you can apply soap and do the rest of his or her body.
- Once the umbilical stump has gone, you can try your baby with a proper baby bath, for which you can use a sink, plastic tub, or special baby baths available from a variety of retailers. If your baby seems really miserable when you bathe her or him, it may be worth going back to sponge baths for a little while and then trying the process again.
- When bathing your baby use around two inches of water that is warm but not hot. Use your wrist or elbow to test the temperature of the water. Immediately put your baby in before he or she has a chance to get cold, and once in make sure you support the head with one hand. The majority of the baby’s body should be out of the water, so you can gently pour some of the water over the body to clean the baby and to keep baby warm.
- Make sure that you use special baby products to wash and clean the infant, such as specially formulated baby shampoos and body wash. Use a damp cloth to wipe over the baby’s body too. Take care not to get shampoo or baby soap in baby’s eyes.
- After bathing wrap the baby up nice and snug in a baby towel to ensure that he or she stays warm. It is a good idea to get one with a built in hood, as this will help to keep the head warm as well.