Bathing your baby is a great way to bond with your baby, but also to make sure your baby is clean and cared for. The most important thing is to make sure you never leave your baby alone. Aside from that, you need to have everything you need on hand and be ready to wash your baby safely and carefully.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing for the Bath
Step 1. Wear suitable clothing
Pull back the long sleeves, remove the jewelry and any other accessories, such as the watch, that can get in the way. Be aware that bathing a baby is likely to get wet, so prepare a change of clothes for later. Wear something you don't care about so that you can wash your baby without constriction.
Step 2. Prepare everything you need
Once the baby is in the tub, you won't be able to leave it for even a second, so it's important to have all the necessary materials close at hand. If you forget something and are bathing him alone, then you will need to retrieve it by taking the baby with you. Here is what you will need to bathe your baby:
- A fluffy towel with a hood;
- A few more towels, for any eventuality;
- Cotton balls, a washcloth or sponge to clean the baby
- A carafe to pour water on the baby;
- Baby soap;
- Baby shampoo (if you choose to use it);
- A changing table;
- A change of clothes;
- A clean diaper;
- Baby talcum powder;
- A few bath toys (optional);
- The bubble bath (optional);
- A special bath tub, if the baby is small or just born.
Step 3. Fill the tub with approximately 7 cm of warm water
Do not fill it more than that, so that there is absolutely no chance that the baby will drown in the water. Before submerging it, you should check the temperature of the water with the inside of your wrist or by putting your elbow on it, to be sure that it is warm and that the baby cannot be burned at all.
- The ideal temperature should be around 32 ° C.
- Never immerse the baby while the tap is still running. The water may get too deep or too hot.
- If the baby is new or very young, you should use a reducer or a special plastic tub. You can also wash the baby in the sink, which can be easier if the sink is large enough.
- If you want to make bath time more fun, you can put some bath toys and bubble bath in the water before placing the baby. Just don't overdo the amount of shower gel, otherwise the baby could be overwhelmed by the foam.
- Consider closing the bathroom door while bathing. You don't want him to feel cold when you take him out of the tub.
Step 4. Consider getting help
Even if you are perfectly capable of bathing the baby on your own, you may want to get help from the other parent, one of the baby's grandparents, or a friend, for example. Just having another person present to guide you will make you feel safer if it's the first time and can make the process less emotionally overwhelming.
But if you have to do it yourself, there is no need to worry and, in any case, it will be a job well done
Step 5. Undress the baby
Take off your clothes and also the diaper. This should be the last thing to do before starting the bath. Do not undress the baby first, or he may get cold while you prepare the tub.
- If the baby cries every time you bathe him, then try not to remove his diaper the first few times. This may give him a sense of security, at least until he is no longer comfortable in the water.
- Of course, you should make sure your baby is ready before starting the bath routine. You should wait for the umbilical stump to completely detach and heal. Before that time, you can clean the baby carefully with a baby wet wipe.
Step 6. Remember that you must never leave the child unattended
This is the absolutely most important part of bath time. Know that your child could drown in less than 2.5cm of water. There is definitely nothing in the world that should make you leave your baby in the tub alone, not even for a second.
If you have forgotten something necessary to bathe him, then you can choose whether to do without it or to take the baby with you to retrieve it
Part 2 of 2: Wash the baby
Step 1. First put the baby in the tub slowly
You should use one hand to support his head and neck. Slowly immerse the baby in the water, whether you are using the sink, tub or plastic tub. Make sure he is relaxed and comfortable.
Be prepared for a few tears. Not all children like the feeling of being immersed in water, especially in the beginning. Others, however, love it immediately
Step 2. Gently sprinkle cups of water over the baby
Use a jug or your hand to pour the water over the baby's body or head. Make sure to completely wet his skin and hair. Just try not to get his eyes wet or splash the water in his face quickly, or he'll fidget. Before using the soap, bathe the baby completely.
Be aware that babies get very slippery when wet. Be prepared to hold it with special care since you put it in the water
Step 3. Wash the baby with soap
Make sure you use a mild, tear-resistant baby soap that doesn't irritate her skin. While some people like to use a specific shampoo, it is perfectly fine for their head to use regular soap; many people prefer it because it does not dry out the scalp. Here are some pointers on how to wash your baby:
- Use your hand or a soft washcloth to wash the baby from top to bottom, both front and back.
- Wash the baby's head with a wet, soapy cloth. If you prefer to use shampoo you can, but it is not strictly necessary. Pour a dime-sized amount of anti-tear shampoo into your palm, lather your hands and massage it into the baby's scalp.
- Gently wipe the baby's eyes and face with a non-soapy fabric. You don't want to get soap in his eyes.
- Wash the baby's genital area well. There is no need to be too meticulous.
- If there is mucus stuck in the nose or eye area, dab it a few times before rubbing it off.
Step 4. Rinse the baby
Once you have soaped it, you can rinse it with the bath water. To wash off all the soap from the baby, you can pour clean water over the baby with your hands or use a jug. Make sure you do this slowly and gently so the baby isn't surprised and overwhelmed.
If you can safely do this, tilt the baby's head back to avoid the eyes and pour cups of water over his hair until the soap is gone
Step 5. Remove the baby from the tub
Get the baby out of the tub and wrap him in a soft, warm towel. As you do this, place one hand under his neck and the other under his butt. Even better if you use a hooded bathrobe. Be careful when the baby is wet. Make sure you have washed off all the soap.
The total bath time should be only five minutes. You don't want your baby to stay in the water for too long, otherwise it will cool down. In addition, a short bath is perfect for those children who do not like water
Step 6. Pat the baby dry
Make sure you carefully pat both your body and hair to dry them as gently as possible. If his skin is still flaking from birth, you can put some cream on him, but be aware that this skin will come off anyway.
Rub lotion, baby powder, or red skin cream on her little body if these are your usual operations. Just make sure it's completely dry before proceeding
Step 7. Dress up the baby
Now that your baby is nice and clean, all that remains is to dress him up. Put the diaper on, then the clothes. By now your baby should be nice and clean, ready for bed - or whatever the rest of the day has in store.
Advice
- Bath toys will make this moment fun and won't make the kids run away screaming. You can use cups, plastic ducks, squirting toys, etc.
- If you kneel on the edge of the tub, spread a folded towel under your knees.
- Always stay in contact with the baby.
- As the water goes down, pour some bubble bath into the tub. There are special products for even more foam (which is optional).
- When you rinse his hair, you can also use a small towel to protect his eyes.
- If the baby cannot sit alone, use a baby tub. If it can be lifted on its own, even if not very well, bathe it in the kitchen sink, it is easier on your back and there is less room to slip. Otherwise the bathtub is fine too.
- Get ready. Put everything you need close to you and ready to use, never leave your baby alone even for 2 seconds.
- Close the door while the water is running and while bathing, so that the bathroom is not too cold when the baby comes out of the tub.
- Don't put soap in the baby's eyes.
Warnings
- Some soaps, shampoos, body wash and lotions can irritate sensitive skin.
- Warning: do not leave the plugs of appliances inserted in the sockets near the child who is bathing, especially if you are washing him in the kitchen area.
