Bathing a slippery newborn will be a stressful experience. Your baby may not like it a lot .however, you may each begin to feel more well-off at bathtub time. begin by learning baby bathtub basics.But you need to be very careful with your child around water because Most drowning deaths in children happen at home.Your baby doesn’t want lot of bathing if you wash the diaper area totally throughout diaper changes. 3 times every week throughout her initial year is also enough. Bathing her more often could dry out her skin,notably if soaps are used or moisture is allowed to evaporate from the skin.Patting her dry skin and applying a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizing lotion instantly after bathing will help to stop dry skin or worsening the skin condition referred to as eczema.
How often does my newborn need a bath?
There’s no requirement to offer your newborn a shower each day.3 times per week could be enough till your baby becomes more mobile.Bathing your baby more often will dry out his or her skin.if you are fast enough and thorough with diaper changes and burp cloths, you are already cleanup the elements that require attention such as the face, neck and diaper space.and also bathing time is totally up to you.some parent prefer morning baths and others before bedtime. but if you are bathing your baby after feeding its better to wait till your baby’s tummy to settle a bit first .
About sponge bath
The american Academy of pediatric medicine recommends sponge baths till the umbilical cord stump falls off ,which could take a week or 2. to present your baby a sponge bath, you will need to consider followings before start.
- Find a warm place with a flat surface – A Bathroom,kitchen counter, changing table, or a firm bed will work. Even you can use a blanket or towel on the floor.
- Need a soft blanket, towel or changing pad – Just spread it out for your baby to lie on.
- A sink or shallow plastic basin to hold the water – Have warm water into the basin or sink.and also Check the temperature of water with your hand to make sure it’s not too hot.
- Essential supplies – you will be needing washcloth, a towel with hood ,mild baby shampoo, mild moisturizing soap, baby wipes, a clean diaper and a change of clothes.
9 Steps to bathe a Newborn baby
Step 1
Begin with solely a few inches of warm water. Baby’s bath water should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. once filling the basin or tub, make sure to swirl the water along with your hands in order to make sure there aren’t any hot spots and its safe for work.
Step 2
Before you put your baby in to the bath water, testing the water’s temperature is a must, so put your wrist inside water to make sure it is not too hot.
Step 3
Use one arm to gently support your baby’s back, head and neck, Then gently place her in the baby bath.Continue to support her using one arm while bathing her with the other.
Step 4
Gently cleanse around your baby’s eyes with a very clean cotton pad,warm water.and also its important to Use a new cotton pad for each eye and always wipe from the inside corner of the eye outward.Then, using a soft washcloth, wipe around your baby’s mouth, nose and whole face, working from the middle outward. Wipe the creases in her neck and do not forget behind her ears.
Step 5
For younger babies, wet a baby washcloth with warm water and use a gentle cleanser formulated for babies.and If your baby has more hair, you might try a gentle shampoo.Don’t be afraid to gently wash the soft spots on your baby’s head.
Step 6
Wash the diaper area last. For a baby girl, cleanse the genital area washing from front to back. For boys, gently wash the penis and genital area, also washing from front to back, and dry thoroughly. For an uncircumcised boy, avoid pulling back the foreskin.
Step 7
Let your baby take a few moments in the bath to enjoy the warm water. Pour cupfuls of water over her body to keep her warm. Be mindful of running water directly from the tap as water temperature can sometimes change suddenly.
Step 8
Wrap both hands around your baby’s chest under her arms, support her head, and lift her out of the bath and quickly wrap her in a towel.
Step 9
Dry your baby well in all the creases, as excessive moisture could lead to skin irritation. Pat skin to avoid skin damage.Before dressing her,finally apply a gentle baby moisturizer.
Source ( JOHNSON’S® baby, 2017)
5 Tips to prevent infant bathing accidents
- Always stay closer to children who are in the tub so that you can reach out and hold them if they slip or fall.
- You can use a mat inside the tub to prevent slipping.
- Keep all sharp the objects and electrical items away.
- Its very important to keep the temperature of your water heater below 120°F to avoid burns.
- Empty the bathtub when bath time finished.
- Always make sure floor and your child’s feet dry to prevent slipping.
ALSO READ : WHY DO YOU NEED TO BURP YOUR BABY
REFERENCE
johnsonsbaby. 2011. how-to-bathe-a-baby. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.johnsonsbaby.com/bath/how-to-bathe-a-baby. [Accessed 21 July 2017].
mayoclinic. 2016. infant-and-toddler-health. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20044438. [Accessed 21 July 2017].
medlineplus. 2016. patientinstructions. [ONLINE] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000020.htm. [Accessed 21 July 2017].
healthychildren.org. 2016. bathing-skin-care. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/pages/Bathing-Your-Newborn.aspx. [Accessed 21 July 2017].
