First Time Parents Guide to Bathing Your Baby

You may give your newborn his first daily sponge bath when e is a few days old. It is best to bathe a very young infant before his morning feeding. As he grows older and becomes more active, you may wish to switch his bath time to the late afternoon. Never leave the baby alone in his bath. Be sure the room in which you bathe the baby is warm and free from drafts. Your hands and fingernails should be washed thoroughly before you begin. You may want to have an extra towel on hand to keep yourself dry.

The following items should be ready:

• Basin of warm (not hot) water
• Large bath towel
• Soft washcloth
• Mild baby soap
• Baby shampoo (if desired)
• Sterile cotton balls or swabs
• Baby lotion or oil
• Baby powder
• Clean diaper or clothing
• Large pins or diaper pins

Sponge bath

A sponge bath may be preferable to tub bathing during the baby's first few weeks. This time allows for the healing of your baby's navel, which at birth may have the remains of the umbilical cord attached to it. Withing the first few weeks following birth any remnant if the cord will wither and become detached. The navel will be raw and tender and should consequently be kept as dry as possible to encourage scab formation and healing. Complete healing usually takes a few weeks.

The sponge bath will also give you the confidence you need to handle and maneuver your baby comfortably and effectively. Place your infant on a table covered with a large towel or pad. Never leave him alone on a table or high surface. Remove his clothing or diaper and cleanse his genital area carefully. If your baby boy is circumcised, his penis should be protected with petroleum jelly and a gauze bandage until the wound has completely healed (usually within a week or two).

Cover the baby with a large towel. Clean his nose and outer ears with a dampened cotton ball or swab, never inserting its tip farther than you can see. Wash his face with a soft washcloth and clear water. Avoid using soap on a baby's face for the first three months. Wipe each eyelid with sterilized cotton, moving from the inside corner outwards. Clean the outside of his mouth thoroughly but avoid washing the inside. Pat his face dry.

With your arm under the baby's back and your hand supporting his head, you can wash his scalp using very mild soap and water or baby shampoo. Lather his head using gentle circular motions. His head should be held back to prevent soap and water from dripping down his face or into his eyes. Rinse the baby's scalp with clear water.

Tub bath

Giving your infant a tub bath can be quite an adventure for a new parent. Your doctor will advise you as to when you may begin tub bathing your child.

The bath can be given in a basin, tub, baby bath, or even the kitchen sink. Have available all the necessary articles that were required for a sponge bath. Fill the tub or basin with about three inches (8 cm) of warm water. Test its temperature using your elbow to make sure it is not too hot. A rubber mat or towel may be placed on the bottom of the tub to prevent the baby from slipping.

At first, you may want to wash the baby's face and head as you would during a sponge bath. Then lower him into the tub, supporting his head and back with one arm and his buttocks with the other. As you gain experience or when your child is old enough to sit up, it may be simpler to wash his face and scalp while he sits in the tub. Soap and rinse the front of his body thoroughly, all the while supporting his back firmly. Then, shifting his weight forward and supporting him under the chin with one hand, you can wash and rinse his back. Pay special attention to the creases and folds of his skin.

When you are finished, lift the baby carefully onto a table, again supporting his head and back with one hand and his buttocks with the other. Dry him thoroughly and apply lotion and a light dusting of powder to those parts of his body most subject to chafing and irritation, especially his thighs and buttocks.

Dressing

You may find that dressing your baby is not the easiest job in the world. Most infants, when being changed, will attempt to roll over, twist around or put up some sort of struggle. It may be helpful to distract your baby with a favorite toy or plaything while you dress him, using this time as a play period

Guide on How to Dress Your Baby

Your baby's clothes should be simple and comfortable.

To put on Baby's shirt, insert your fingers in one of the sleeves and guide his had through. His shirt goes on one arm at a time. (if the shirt is close and sleeveless, pull it over his head first, then insert the arms). Smooth the shirt under his back by rolling Baby on his side. Fasten the shirt, then fold it up in back so it doesn't reach below hip line. Put a fresh diaper on and pin it, taking care it is not too tight or too loose.

How to Give Your Baby a Tub Bath

As soon as Baby's navel and circumcision have healed, you can start giving Baby a tub bath, unless your doctor advises otherwise. It would be convenient to assemble the same equipment (List of Equipment for Sponge Bath) as for the sponge bath except that you will use a tub or bathinette in place of the basin water. Fill the tub or bathinette with about three inches of water that is comfortably warm to your elbow.

Place Baby on a large towel on top of the bathinette or table and clean his ears and nose particularly the creases around. Wash his face with water and his scalp with soap and water as you would during a sponge bath.

With your left arm supporting his head and shoulders, your left hand firmly holding the upper part of his left leg, and your right hand supporting his buttocks, gently lower Baby into the tub. Hold him firmly with one hand, supporting his head and back, then rinse him with wash cloth with other hand.

In cleansing genitals, if Baby is not circumcised ask your doctor if he wants you to clean under the foreskin, if baby is a girl, separate genital folds carefully and cleanse between them with a down ward stroke, using cotton dipped in water.

Lift Baby back on table or on top of bathinette, cover him with towel, and pat dry, paying careful attention to all creases and skin folds. Dress baby in clean clothes.

How to Give Baby a Sponge Bath

1. Cover Baby with a large bath towel in a manner that secures both his hands and legs. Hold baby's head and wash his eyelids with sterile cotton balls. Clean his nose and mouth with cotton balls dipped in sterile water. Next clean his ears with moistened swabs (never insert cotton swabs farther than you can see) and wash face with cotton or soft cloth dipped in warm water. Dry his face with the small soft towel (never soap baby's face.)
2. Support Baby's head and back carefully with one arm and hand. Shampoo his scalp gently with baby soap or shampoo, then rinse well and pat dry. (If scales form on the scalp, apply oil and leave overnight).
3. Soap and rinse the rest of Baby's body. Be sure to get all soap out of creases, or his skin may chafe. Pat him dry with soft towel - never rub. Never touch Baby's navel unless extremely necessary; simply change the binder. If the navel becomes wet, clean it with sterile cotton balls dipped in alcohol. Then cover it with sterile gauze and binder. Apply oil or lotion, powder lightly and put on Baby's clean clothes.

Tips on Bathing Your Baby

It is advisable to bathe your baby at a fairly regular time. Many mothers find it convenient to bathe baby usually before the mid morning feeding. (Don't give a bath immediately after feeding.) The room should be warm with no drafts. Water should be comfortably warm, test it with your elbow if no thermometer is available. Baby should be handled gently and securely.

Until baby's navel or circumcision is healed, baby's baths should be sponge baths. These should be his first baths and your doctor will tell you when you can start giving a full tub bath. It would be convenient to assemble the following supplies on a table before you start:

1. basin of warm water
2. soft washcloth
3. mild soap
4. cotton swabs or cotton balls (in jar with a cover)
5. baby lotion
6. baby oil
7. baby powder
8. large bath towel to cover baby
9. small soft towel with which to cover him
10. shirt
11. diaper
12. safety pins and binder

Practical Guide on your Baby's First Bath

Most health care professionals suggest waiting until the umbilical cord has fallen off and the circumcision wound has healed before giving giving baby a tub bath. You can sponge bathe baby until then. Turning a slippery baby on his tummy is no easy feat, so try to give the bath when he is calm and full. Expect the baby to cry, so sing or talk calmly to him and remember to make it quick.

What you can do:

1. Prepare all supplies: lukewarm water, baby tub, washcloth, baby bath soap or body wash, cotton balls, towel, blanket (or another towel), clean diaper and outfit.
2. Fill tub with two inches of lukewarm water. Use your elbow to test if temperature is warm, not scalding.
3. Wash baby's hair before putting him in the tub so he won't get chilled. Dry his head well.
4. Use wet cotton balls to wipe baby's eyes from the inner corner outward. Then wash behind the ears and the entire face. Work your way around baby's neck and down to the torso. Wash genitals and bottom last.
5. Dry baby thoroughly and dress him. Keep undressed body parts wrapped in a blanket or extra towel.

As simple sleep routine for your baby

Here is a simple sleep routine you can do to help your baby sleep better, longer and have less awakenings.

1. Start with a warm bath. The warm water not only cleanses, but also winds baby down, preparing her for a good night's rest. This helps tell baby that it is time to sleep.

2. Follow with a gentle massage. A soothing massage is a wonderful way to promote bonding between you and your baby. Massage or touch therapy, helps promote weight gain and immunity, in addition to improving your baby's sleep pattern.

3. Spend some quiet time. Ease your baby off to sleep with quiet time together. You can read to her, sing her lullabies or play soothing music, as you watch her drift off into slumber.

Baby Bath Basic

Bathing your baby can be such a nice experience, here are some basic tips to make it even more fun and comfortable for your baby.

1. Warm water is best for baby's first bath. If she still has the umbilical cord, make sure this area does not get wet. If you're hesitant, a sponge bath for baby would do. After the stump has fallen off, you can give her a full bath.

2. In your baby's bathtub, place a foam or rubber mat to avoid slipping. With your hand and arm, support your baby's head, neck and back. Ease her into the tub and sit down. Hold her at a 45 degree angle. The warm water should only reach up to her neck.

3. Liquid soap or body washes are best for baby. Make sure these items are mild and unscented because your baby's skin is still very sensitive to artificial additives. Have your baby's towel ready at your side so you can wrap her right after her bath.

4. Avoid getting soap and water into her eyes, mouth and ears. As you support her head, cover her ears with your thumb on one side and your index finger on the other. With a wet washcloth, clean the outer and back area of your baby's ears. If bath time comes after feeding time, gently wipe clean her tongue and the inside of her mouth.

5. After the bath, make sure your baby is dried and clothed immediately. Pat him dry with a soft towel; don't rub because his skin is quite fragile. Applying baby powder is usually considered as a post bath ritual, but do skip this instead because the tiny particles mights cause allergies to your little one.