Tips for Bathing Your Newborn

Baby Center reports that bathing a baby is often a concern for new parents and sometimes even experienced parents. If the baby has a fear of water or has experienced any form of trauma or simply doesn’t want a bath, the experience can become even more upsetting. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be an ordeal. Here are some things you will want to bear in mind when bathing your little one.

Prepare the Bath Supplies in Advance

The one rule you must remember is that you must never leave your infant unattended. Even when your baby is old enough and strong enough to sit up on her own, you must not leave her alone. To avoid having to wrap your baby in a towel and hurry out, go ahead and prepare everything you need in advance. Have your baby’s bath supplies in a handy tote. Make sure to include your shampoo, soap, lotion, washcloths, and anything else that you might want. Don’t forget a couple fresh towels and pajamas or a clean outfit. You may want a bath apron for yourself unless you’re wearing something that you’re comfortable getting wet.

Draw the Bath and Test the Water

Whether you are bathing your baby in the sink or the tub, you should draw the water first. Parenting.com reports that sometimes babies are afraid of the sound of the rushing water or other factors. Similarly, the water can quickly become too hot or too cold. The best way to check the temperature is to test it with your elbow. If it feels too hot or too cold, then change the temperature.

Check the bathing area for drafts as well. Babies are especially sensitive to changes in temperature. Cold air is particularly difficult, and it can upset a newborn or a toddler. A simple way to avoid this is to close the door to the kitchen or bathroom. If there are windows with drafts, put a towel or blanket over any cracks.

 

Stay Gentle and Calm

When placing your baby in the water, you should do this smoothly and in one motion. Raising Children reports that if you are afraid, your baby may sense your fear and become frightened, and if the baby starts screaming and appears terrified, you should not force her into the bath. Wait until she calms down and do it again. Slowly lowering the baby into the water little bit by little bit may make it even more stressful. If your baby remains stressed and terrified of the bath, then you should give her a sponge bath instead of a typical bath. Just make sure to get all the soap off.

When bathing the baby, use soft and gentle strokes. Be cautious about pouring water directly over your baby’s head without shielding her nose and mouth. Even with organic products from companies like The Honest company, soap in the eyes and mouth will upset any baby. Your baby may also inhale some of the water, causing further panic and fear. While bathing, talk to your baby. Tell her how much you love her. Sing a song and make it fun. She may not be comfortable right away, but this will help calm her. Some parents play soft music to make it even more relaxing.

 

Have Help on Hand and Clean Up Afterward

Bathing a baby technically only requires a single adult. But if you’re nervous, particularly if you are new to bathing babies, make sure you have someone else on hand. This way if something goes wrong, you have an extra set of hands to help.

Using a tote will make this easier. But if you do this, make sure that you regularly wipe it out. Damp spaces are perfect for mold, and you don’t want to introduce contaminants to your little one. So when the bath is finished and your baby is safely in bed, wipe down all the bath products. Clean out the bottom of the tote and put it away until the next time.

Baths can be a daunting task for new parents or for parents with babies who are afraid of the water. However, it doesn’t have to be. Being prepared before you bathe your baby is a key step. This way you don’t have to worry about missing something. You should also draw the bath water before your baby is placed in the water. Always test it first, and make sure that there are no exposed drafts. During the process, you should stay calm. Never force your baby through a bath. Instead, comfort her, wait till she’s calm, and then continue. If she doesn’t calm down, then give her a sponge bath and try again later. Make the experience as fun as possible by singing and talking to your baby. To make sure nothing goes wrong, it’s best to have help on hand. And when everything is finished, clean everything up and wipe away excess water to prevent mold build ups.