How To Bathe Your Newborn Baby In A Few Simple Steps

Bathing your newborn baby is undoubtedly a bliss as this is a chance to bond with your baby. At the same time, you realise that your little one is delicate, and while bathing him or her that can make you feel a little worried. Fret not! With time, practice, and focus you will be able to learn how to give a bathe to your newborn baby perfectly. All you need to do is follow these simple baby bathing tips.

How To Bathe Your Newborn For The First Time?

Your baby is covered with vernix (a waxy substance on the skin), after-birth to protect your baby’s skin from germs and infections in the environment outside your womb. If you’ve given birth in the hospital, your healthcare practitioners will be there to clean up the vernix. However, as far as your baby’s first bath is concerned, WHO recommends giving your baby his or her first bath after 24 hours of his or her life. As your baby might catch a cold if you’re bathing him or her immediately after birth. Once you bring your baby home, with your child’s specialist’s suggestion, you can add bath time to your baby’s routine. You can also start by sponge bathing your baby.

How To Give Your Newborn a Sponge Bath?

Sponge bathing your newborn baby is the best and simplest way to clean your baby till such time that your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off within 10 to 14 days after your baby’s birth. Following these steps might make your work easy: 

• You need a warm room with a flat surface – maybe your bathroom, kitchen counter, changing table, or your bed.
  
• Take a soft blanket or towel or changing pad, spread it out on the flat surface.
  
• Bring your little one to the room, undress him or her, and make your little one lie down on the flat area. Always try to keep one of your hands on the baby for safety.
  
• Before you lower your baby into the bowl or sink ensure that you have running warm water in it. However, check the water temperature for your newborn’s bath with a thermometer. If in case, you do not have a thermometer, check it with your wrist or elbow. It should not be very hot.
  
• Now lower the baby in the sink, take a clean washcloth, soak it in the warm water, wring out the extra water, and start by wiping your cute and cuddly little one’s face and head. Give special attention to the underarms, ears and behind the ears, the neck, and the diaper area.
  
• Also ensure, while you’re sponge bathing your baby, use fragrance-free, mild baby soap, and shampoo.
  
• Now take your newborn baby’s bath towel and pat your baby dry gently. A hooded towel would be comfortable for your baby. Don’t forget to pat dry the diaper area.
  
• When you sponge bathe your newborn baby with the umbilical cord stump still attached, you might accidentally wet the cord stump. Not to worry! You can gently pat it dry.

How To Bathe Your Newborn Baby In a Bathtub?

Once your baby’s cord stump falls off (after 10 to 14 days), you’ll understand that your baby is perfectly ready for a bath in a bathtub. You might use a plastic tub or sink for it. You’ll need a baby soap, shampoo, a hooded baby towel, a soft flannel, cotton balls, a soft baby brush, and some warm water in the tub. Remember the water should not be more than 2 inches in the tub and the temperature also should not be more than 38⁰c.

• Gently lower your baby in the newborn’s bathtub after you’ve undressed him or her. Well! Putting him or her in the bathtub immediately after undressing your baby would make your baby catch a cold.
  
• Cradle your baby’s head with one of your hands and support the rest of your baby’s body with another while you’re lowering your baby in the bathtub.
  
• Your little one’s feet should go in the tub first. (Remember to keep your child away from the bathtub till such time that the water is at the right temperature).
  
• Ensure your baby’s neck and head are above the water level, and the back of his or her head is in the water.
  
• Splash some warm water on your little prince or princess’ head gently and take a hygienic and wet cloth to clean his or her face, head, hair, and the rest of your baby’s body.
  
• Shampoo your baby’s hair, at least twice a week.
  
• Now gently pick your baby up from the tub and pat him or her dry with a towel.
  
• Since babies don’t sweat like adults, keep in mind that you do not need to bathe your baby quite often. Here you might want to know when to give a bath to your baby? Well! 2 or 3 baths a week are enough for your newborn baby.

How To Be Careful While Bathing Your Newborn?

Once the area around the umbilical cord stump is healed, you can help your baby bathe inside the bathtub. Your baby should always be supervised at bath time. You should never leave your baby alone in the tub.

What To Do After Your Baby Has Finished Bathing?

Dress your baby by putting his or her nappy on first. If your baby has dry skin, apply a non-perfumed cream or ointment to moisturise your baby’s skin. Keep your baby in a safe place – maybe in a cot and empty the bathwater.

Knowing how to bathe your newborn baby is important for you as a new parent. Ensure he or she’s comfortable while taking a bath. Additionally, you can make your baby’s bath time enjoyable with baby toys or books.

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