Bathing With Your Baby

One of the best parts of being a parent is having to experience many firsts with your child. The first time your baby talks, walks, or crawls is a moment that brings you insurmountable joy. The emotions you feel at that time is etched in your memory even after your child grows up. Every new experience that a parent has is cherished and valued beyond measure and it’s the same every time you have a baby. Whether it is your first child or your fifth, the excitement you feel with every new first is unforgettable. One such experience is bathing your baby. Many parents fear bathing their baby for the first time but after a few times, it becomes a beautiful bonding activity that relaxes not just you but your baby too.

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Your baby is delicate and does not need a lot of soap and water. Scrubbing your baby is a big no-no and the soap you use has to be gentle and nourishing to your infant’s skin. A soft sponge bath is ideal for a newborn baby and serves the purpose. Many babies enjoy bath time and have a sound sleep after it. So, while it can be an overwhelming experience for every parent, here are some ways in which you and your baby can enjoy bath time safely:

  • Make sure to use lukewarm water rather than hot water. Place all the things you need to bathe your baby within your reach so you don’t have to get up.
  • Ensure all the products you use on your baby are specific to babies and are tested for sensitivity.
  • Bathing your baby is an experience that is new to him too. So cradle your baby and hold him close. Play with him, make funny faces, and sing to him while you’re washing him. This way, your baby is distracted and does not focus on the water that is being poured on him.
  • The next step is quite crucial. Once you’ve washed your baby, you have to rinse him thoroughly to ensure that all the soap is cleared from his body. The residue of the soap on the baby’s skin might be harmful to their sensitive and delicate skin.
  • Wrap your baby in a soft towel and hand him over to your partner or some other adult. Once you are out of the shower, place your baby on a bed or a changing table, and open out the towel. Pat dry fully until he is dry.
  • While your baby is laying on the bed or changing table, apply baby lotion or a moisturizing oil and gently massage his body.
  • Massaging your baby helps him relax and sleep. It also releases infant hormones that positively reduce stress in your baby. If your baby is crying, it helps reduce crying too (1).
  • While massaging your baby, you can either use a gentle chemical-free moisturizer or a soothing oil. The best way to massage your baby is by using gentle smooth strokes and covering all areas of the body. Before you’re done, your baby might be in a snooze fest.

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In olden days, people used to massage the baby with oil for about an hour and lay the baby in gentle sunlight. This allows the baby to absorb vitamin D which strengthens the bones, enhances calcium absorption, and maintains robust cardiac rhythms. The ideal time to expose your baby to sunlight is in the morning before 10 am. The sunlight between 10 am to 4 pm is deemed harmful for the baby and exposure to it should be avoided at all times (2).

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While parents find it challenging at first, with time and experience, you develop a knack for it. Just like having a bath is a soothing and relaxing experience for us, babies too love it. Sometimes, babies might not like the feeling of water but over time, most babies will start to love it and look forward to bath time. Comment below and let us know if you found this article helpful. Share it with your friends who have infants to help them bond with their babies during bath time.

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