When To Give Your Newborn Their First Bath

Image: Shutterstock

When you welcome your baby into this world, there is a tonne of milestones to achieve and things to take care of at the same time. One of them is bathing your little one for the first time. Besides feeding, maintaining good hygiene for your baby is a must, but it doesn’t mean you have to rush into the shower to get them their first bath. Every milestone needs to be timed perfectly to get the best results.

In this article, we’ll discuss when to give your little one their first bath and other precautions to take or things to be careful about before doing it.

The Best Time To Give Them Their First Bath

Image: Shutterstock

The best time to bathe your newborn is usually after their umbilical cord stump falls off, which typically happens between 10-14 days postpartum. Once the umbilical stump falls off and heals over, then it’s safe for them to get into a tub of warm water with no more than two inches of depth. This will help keep them comfortable while they explore their new environment. Before that point, it’s advised that you only use a warm washcloth or sponge bath until the cord has healed completely to avoid any potential infections or complications from water exposure.

Delayed Bathing And Its Health Benefits

Image: Shutterstock

Delayed bathing for newborn babies is a practice that has been gaining popularity over the past few years. It involves delaying the first bath of a newborn baby by 24-48 hours after birth, allowing them to spend more time bonding with their parents and getting used to their new environment. This method encourages skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby which helps regulate body temperature, as well as providing other important benefits such as reducing stress levels in both parent and child.

The delayed bathing technique also offers numerous health benefits for both mother and infant. Studies have shown that it can help reduce jaundice levels in babies due to increased exposure to sunlight on their skin during this period, while mothers may benefit from reduced postpartum bleeding associated with early baths given too soon after delivery. Additionally, delayed bathing allows the natural oils found on an infant’s skin, which are protective against infection, to remain intact longer than they would if bathed earlier. This helps keep bacteria at bay while keeping your little one clean.

How Often Should You Bathe A Newborn Baby?

Image: Shutterstock

Bathing newborn babies can be an overwhelming task for new parents, but it is an important part of keeping a newborn healthy and clean. The question of how often to bathe a newborn baby can cause some confusion among first-time parents. Luckily, some simple guidelines will help you determine the best bathing schedule for your little one.

Most experts recommend that you give your newborn baby their first bath within 24 hours after they’re born, and then bathe them two or three times per week until they reach six months old. During this time, sponge baths should be used instead of full immersion in water as newborns have very sensitive skin at this age which may dry out easily if exposed to too much water too frequently. Be sure to use lukewarm water (around 37°C) when giving your baby a sponge bath and avoid using any harsh soaps or shampoos on their delicate skin during these early months as well.

How To Bathe A Newborn For The First Time

Image: Shutterstock

Bathing a newborn for the first time can be an intimidating task for anyone. It is important to remember that although it may seem challenging, with the right precautions and reminders you can make sure your baby enjoys their bath time experience.

1. When bathing a newborn, always make sure the water temperature is just right, not too hot or cold.

2. Make sure to use only gentle soaps and shampoos specifically designed for babies’ delicate skin.

3. When washing your baby’s hair, tilt their head back while pouring lukewarm water over them, this will help avoid getting soap in their eyes or ears.

4. Always keep one hand on your baby at all times during bath time as they are still learning how to balance themselves in slippery environments like baths.

5. Be mindful of keeping an eye on the clock. Infants should never stay more than 10 minutes in warm baths as this could put them at risk of overheating quickly due to their small size and immature regulation system.

6. Afterward, wrap them up snugly into towels or blankets immediately after taking them out of the tub.

Bathing your little one for the first time is an important milestone, but it’s important to time it right. Hopefully, you’ve got all the answers to the above questions that will ease your journey when you reach this healthy milestone. Enjoy this bonding experience with your baby and create a safe and happy environment for them to explore. Do leave a comment below and let us know about your experience of bathing your little one.

Sources

1. Newborn’s first bath: any preferred timing? A pilot study from Lebanon, NCBI
2. Timing of first bath in term healthy newborns: A systematic review, NCBI

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Author

Dushyant Tripathi

Dushyant has a keen interest in writing about parenting and women's healthcare. He believes that knowledge about childcare and children's health should be available to every parent to enhance their overall quality of life. When he is not writing for MomJunction, you can spot him playing the ukulele, singing, and doodling.