It will happen, sooner or later, that you will have to bathe your baby outside the home, whether it is a single night stay or a longer holiday. Bathing can be difficult already at home and being elsewhere can add some greater difficulties. The important thing is to leave prepared and know how it is possible to bathe your baby in the best way. In this article, you will learn how.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: The Bath in the Tub
Step 1. To determine the best way to bathe your baby, you can call the hotel where you will be staying in advance
It is always best to know in advance what will be waiting for you on arrival and leave prepared.
- For example, the hotel bathroom may not have enough space to allow you to kneel comfortably next to the tub while you wash your child.
- Furthermore, although most of the bathrooms have a bathtub, in some rooms there may only be a shower.
- When you are about to book your stay, you should ask about how the bathroom is furnished to see if it is arranged as you would like.
- If it seems to you that the room you booked is not right, try asking if there is another one or change hotel.
Step 2. Prepare everything you need
As the tub fills with water and before you put your baby in it, put everything you need close at hand.
- You should be in a comfortable position to wash the baby and to be able to easily take what you will need.
- If the tub in the hotel is installed differently than the one in your home you are used to, before starting the bath, think about the maneuvers you will have to do to get the baby in and out of the tub.
- After you have everything sorted out, you can undress your baby and bathe him as you usually do at home.
Step 3. Before you begin, give the tub a good rinse
It might seem strange to do in a hotel or at some relative's house, but giving the tub a pass and wiping it quickly with a cloth before washing your baby in it could make you mentally calmer.
- The reason is that you are not sure when it was last cleaned, or how or with what products it was sanitized.
- Rinse the tub and wipe it with a cloth to remove surface dirt and any chemical residues present.
Step 4. Check the water temperature
In addition to understanding how the furniture is arranged in the bathroom, in hotels or in someone else's house, hot water may not arrive immediately or not reach the right temperature. Also check this point.
- It's something you don't know until bath time comes, but it's necessary for every time you wash your baby, as long as you're out of the house.
- The water temperature varies from one bathroom to another for various reasons, it may be because other people in the same building are using it at the time, or due to problems with the boiler, etc.
- There is also the possibility that the water may not be as clean and clear as in your home, although this is not as widespread.
- This can be true in particularly old homes or hotels where the pipes are rusted and release the brown color of rust into the water.
- In this case, it should be sufficient to let the water run for a few minutes before filling the tub.
Part 2 of 4: The Bath in the Shower
Step 1. You can take a shower with your baby if there is no alternative
It is important to first check the water temperature and the strength of the jet coming out of the hand shower
Step 2. Detach the sprayer
If the jet is very strong, you can turn off the tap slightly to get less water.
The best range for a child is as if it were a light drizzle, rather than a powerful jet that would scare him
Step 3. Do not aim the jet directly at the baby
Many of them, in fact, do not like to feel the water hitting them on the skin or, above all, on the face. You can use their own body to cushion the spray and let the water slide.
- Use your hand to direct the water to the baby.
- Put some water in your hands and wash the baby gently by spilling it on him.
Step 4. Hold the baby firmly
Consider that your wet and soapy baby will be slippery to hold, so try to have a secure grip and do not let him escape.
- One of the best positions for washing a baby in the shower is to have their back against your tummy, and your arms around their tummy, under their armpits.
- In this position, you can easily reach almost all of his body, and if he starts to slide, you can press him against your abdomen to keep him from falling.
Part 3 of 4: Wash with a Sponge
Step 1. Find a flat, non-cold surface if you can't / want to use the tub
You could use the sink to get water and wash the baby with a sponge, after placing it on an adjacent floor.
- This way you can avoid using the tub in case you don't feel safe enough.
- It's a great solution even if you don't want to use the shower.
Step 2. Lay the baby on his back on a towel
When you're ready to start, undress it and cover it with another towel.
Make sure you've laid the baby out on something soft or stuffed
Step 3. Clean his face with a wipe
Wet and squeeze the washcloth and start washing the baby.
- Start gently with his face.
- For the eyelids, use cotton wool or tissue, going from the inside to the outside of the eye.
Step 4. Wash the baby's body
You can use a towel or sponge.
- It is enough to use water.
- If it is particularly dirty, use soap that doesn't create too much foam.
- Make sure you clean well in all creases, under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck and in the nappy areas.
- Also wash your hands and feet well.
Step 5. While you wash your baby like this, keep him wrapped in a towel or blanket
Since he won't be submerged in hot water, it's important to keep him warm and not let him get cold.
You should keep a hand on the baby and find out the parts of the body that you are going to wash
Part 4 of 4: Prepare the Supplies for the Trip
Step 1. Make a list with everything you need to take away
It is quite annoying to forget to prepare something you need, especially when you are alone with the baby and have a hard time getting there.
- To prevent this from happening, before you leave, you should make a list of everything you will need while you are bathing the baby.
- In order not to weigh down your luggage too much, try to bring only the essentials.
- In the list you should include: soap, shampoo, towels and washcloths, comb and brush.
- You will also need a bath mat to prevent the baby from slipping into the tub.
- Some parents also prefer to bring some toys for the bath, even if it is not essential.
- Put the list along with all your bathroom items in an easily transportable bag.
- Having a unique bag with everything you need for the bath will make the task easier.
- You can put this bag in your luggage to prevent it from being lost.
Step 2. Keep in mind the logistical differences you will find at your destination to better plan your bath time
There will be different comforts than what you are used to, whether you are staying in a hotel or going to the home of relatives.
- If you feel more comfortable bathing your child in the sink, there may be some problem with the faucet, as it may be placed in a not very practical way.
- In this case, it may have to fold over the tub.
- If you are worried about having your baby in the tub, you can always wash him by getting in too.
Step 3. When you are done, collect and rearrange everything you used
After you've washed, dressed and put your baby in a safe place, empty the tub and put the bag back together with what you just used to keep everything tidy.
- Wet towels and clothes will be hung up to dry.
- The non-slip mat can be put to dry on the bathroom mat overnight.
- If you are staying for just one night, these items should be placed in a visible place so as not to be forgotten.
- The remaining things can be repackaged in their bag, ready for departure.
- If you use games, it is useful to have a mesh bag to allow them to dry quickly without taking up too much space.
- As the toys drip, the bag that holds them can be hung on a faucet, hanger, or towel holder.
