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Bathing your newborn is not only essential for maintaining the cleanliness, but it also helps strengthen your bond with him/her. And, while some of these little ones are instant water babies (pun intended), there are others who take some time to warm up to the idea. Also, we are sure that you may have wondered about when is the right time to give your newborn his/her first bath. Have a chat with your doctor about the same as this can vary from one baby to another. And, proceed towards the first bath only when you get the doc’s blessings. But remember, you may want to keep the first bath pretty short.
We are sure that you may have a lot more questions crossing your mind right now. Don’t you worry, we are here with some tips for you. Here is what you can do:
1. Prepare For The Bath In Advance
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It is important to make sure that your little one stays warm throughout. For this, try to keep both the water and room are warm. And, perhaps you can also close the windows and doors. Cleanse your hands first and then collect all the bathing supplies that you will be needing. This might include a mild cleanser, a clean towel, some fresh clothes, and also nappies. Always pour the cold water in first and then add some hot water to it. This will make the bath comfortably warm for your little one. Check the temperature of the water then with the help of your elbows; it should neither be too hot nor too cold.
2. Bathe Your Little One Thoroughly Yet Gently
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First, undress your newborn, leaving just the nappy on. Then, wrap him/her around with a towel. Don’t cover the head and then clean her face and hair. Do this before putting your baby in the bath. This way, you can also decide whether to keep your little one for just a while or for longer, depending on his/her comfort. You can clean his/her faces, ears, and neck with the help of cotton pads rinsed in warmed water. You may want to wash your little one’s hair only once or twice in a week. Just remember to rinse the hair thoroughly with some mild baby shampoo.
Now, remove the nappies. If you notice any poo, just clean that area properly before putting your newborn in the bath. Now, slowly put him/her feet-first in the bath. And, then use one of your hands to give support to the head and neck. Try to keep the water at the shoulder level so as to ensure that he/she does not feel cold. But, make sure that you don’t leave your little one alone even for a second.
3. Bath Time
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You can either wash your little one with just warm water or some mild baby cleanser to protect his/her skin. And, if your little one has a dry or tender skin, you may want to add some baby product to smoothen the skin. However, remember that this may make your baby slightly slippery, so hold him/her carefully. Use either your hand or sponge to meticulously clean your little one head to toe. But, try and avoid scrubbing. Now, rinse your little one properly and immediately head towards the dry towel.
4. Dry Him/Her Carefully
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Cover your newborn in a towel and pat him/her dry. Do this straight away so as to ensure that he/she does not feel cold. Then, put your baby’s nappy on. Perhaps, you may want to apply some lotion on his/her body. Now, quickly dress your little one in those fresh clothes you have already picked out. And, if it very cold, you may also want to wrap your little one in the blanket for some time.
Do you have any other tip in mind that you will like to share with your fellow moms? If yes, please let us know in the comments section below. Happy motherhood!
