How Many Times Should You Bathe A Newborn

Are There Things I Can Add To A Bath

Why You Should Wait To Bathe Your Newborn Baby!

Colloidal Oatmeal bath: This has been used for several decades and there has been a lot of research showing that it has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. it works well on children with atopic dermatitis / eczema and has minimal side effects.

Bath oil: since bathing can cause skin to dry out and become irritated, oil can be helpful to keep the skin from drying out.

Baking soda: adding a 1/4 cup of baking soda to a bath can help soothe itchy skin and irritation.

Topping And Tailing Tips

  • Hold your baby on your knee or lay them on a changing mat. Take off all their clothes, apart from their vest and nappy, and wrap them in a towel.
  • Dip the cotton wool in the water and wipe gently around your baby’s eyes from the nose outward, using a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye. This is so that you don’t transfer any stickiness or infection from one eye to another.
  • Use a fresh piece of cotton wool to clean around your baby’s ears, but not inside them. Never use cotton buds to clean inside your baby’s ears. Wash the rest of your baby’s face, neck and hands in the same way and dry them gently with the towel.
  • Take off the nappy and wash your baby’s bottom and genital area with fresh cotton wool and warm water. Dry very carefully, including between the skin folds, and put on a clean nappy.
  • It will help your baby to relax if you keep talking while you wash them. The more they hear your voice, the more they’ll get used to listening to you and start to understand what you’re saying.

Staying Clean Between Baths

On the days you dont bathe your baby, they might still need a bit of freshening up. When your little one isnt dirty enough to warrant the baby bathtub, simply give them a quick wipe-down, kind of like the sponge baths they got the first couple of weeks. Baby wipes to the rescue!

With Babo Botanicalss 3-in-1 Sensitive Baby Face, Hands & Body Wipes, you can quickly, easily, and safely clean not only your babys bum but also their hands, face, and body. Made with oat milk and organic calendula oil, these plush wipes are non-drying and good for daily use. And the cherry on top is that the natural cloth fabric is 100% plant-based and biodegradable. Great for your family and the earth!Now, lets look at the best and safest way to wash your baby when you do put them in the baby tub.

Also Check: How To Feed Formula To Newborn

How To Give Your Baby A Bath

Get everything ready before you start your baby’s bath:

  • Ensure that all the supplies you need like shampoo, soap, a hooded towel, and a cup for rinsing are within armâs reachânever leave your baby unattended in the bath, so make sure you have everything you need on hand, including your babyâs fresh change of clothes

  • Make sure the room is warm before undressing your baby.

Follow these step-by-step guidelines for bathing your baby:

  • Line a sink or baby bathtub with a towel, and fill it about 2 inches full of warm water âtest it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist to make sure itâs not too hot

  • While supporting your babyâs head with your non-dominant hand, use your other hand to guide him into the water feet first. Youâll want to do this swiftly so he doesnât get cold, and youâll want to make sure his head and most of his body are above the water level

  • Wash his body from top to bottom with clear water, and, if you prefer, a mild baby soap. Keep him warm by pouring warm water over his body using a cup. Use a soft cloth to wash his face

  • If he has hair, itâs enough to shampoo once or twice a week. When you do, massage a drop of mild baby shampoo into his scalp, even the soft spots of his head. Be careful not to get any soapsuds or shampoo in his eyesâcup your hands over his forehead when rinsing his head. If some soap or shampoo does get into his eyes, go ahead and wipe them using a cloth dampened with clear water.

  • RELATED ARTICLE

    Reasons Why Doctors Recommend Delaying A Newborns First Bath:

    How Many Times A Week Should You Bathe A Baby
  • Reduced risk of infection

    Babies are born covered in a white substance called vernix, which is composed of the skin cells your baby made early in development. Vernix contains proteins that prevent common bacterial infections. Think of vernix as a sort of natural antibacterial ointment. Your baby is born covered in this anti-germ barrier. Bacteria such as Group B Strep and E. coli are often transmitted to newborns during delivery and can cause bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and meningitis, and can be fatal. These are not rare infections we test babies for them daily. Vernix is natures protection against these infections.

  • Stabilized infant blood sugar

    Bathing a baby too soon after birth can cause low blood sugar. Heres why: in the first few hours after birth, a baby has to adjust to life outside the uterus, including losing the placenta as a source of blood sugar. Bathing causes crying, stress and the release of stress hormones. Stress hormones can cause a babys blood sugar to drop, which can make a baby too sleepy to wake up and breastfeed, causing the blood sugar to drop even more. Rarely, low blood sugar can cause neurological injury.

  • No baby lotion required before a newborn bath

    Vernix is a natural skin moisturizer and skin protectant. Babies need skin protection during the transition from the amniotic fluid into the air environment. If you delay the bath, there is no need for artificially scented baby lotion. Instead, you get to enjoy that new-baby smell.

  • Recommended Reading: Which Soap Is Best For Newborn Baby

    Your Babys First Bath Will Be At The Hospital

    Your baby will be given their first bath at the hospital, where the stump of their umbilical cord will also be cleaned. Most hospitals will have someone show you how to bathe your baby. Take advantage of their expertise. Nurses at the hospital will also be able to familiarize you with other aspects like how to nurse, burp, hold, or change your baby.1

    Tips For Safely Bathing Your Newborn

    Besides keeping your baby happy and getting them clean, safety should be a top concern when it comes to bathing your baby. Unfortunately, drowning is something all parents of newborns need to be aware of.

    As the AAP notes, ost child drownings inside the home occur in bathtubs, and more than half of bathtub deaths involve children under 1 year of age. These are sobering statistics, but they are not meant to scare you instead, they are reminders to take safety very seriously when it comes to bathing your baby.

    Here are some other safety recommendations to keep in mind:

    You May Like: How To Take Care Of Newborn Pitbull Puppies

    When Will Your Baby Be Ready For His First Tub Bath

    After your babyâs umbilical cord stump falls off, you can transition from sponge baths to actual baths in a sink or a baby bathtub.

    His first bath in a tub should be gentle and quick however, you might need to go back to sponge baths if your baby fusses a lot and simply doesnât like this new activity.

    Best Temperature For A Bath

    How Often Should You Bathe a Puppy

    You can experiment to see what temperature your baby likes their bath best. In general, lukewarm temperatures are ideal. You dont want the bath to be too cold, but you certainly dont want it too hot.

    Some parents err on the side of heating the bath up too much, and risk scalding their babies. The AAP recommends that your babys bath be no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Its helpful to fill the baby tub or sink with a few inches of water before immersing your baby in it. Test the water first to see if it is an appropriate temperature for your baby.

    Recommended Reading: How Many Ounces Should A Newborn Drink

    Why Is It Important To Bathe A Newborn Baby

    The benefits of bathtime go way beyond a basic cleanup! Heres why baths are good for babies:

    • They boost bonding. Bathtime quickly becomes a highlight of the day because its all about time spent together. Taking care of your baby lets her know you care, so gaze into her eyes, kiss that yummy baby belly, count those tiny toes and sing silly songs as you wash. Feeling your gentle touch and hearing your voice will let your little one know how much she’s loved.

    • Theres so much learning. Yup, there’s plenty to learn in the tub. Tickle your little one’s senses by trickling water gently onto her tummy or teach a lesson in cause-and-effect by showing how to kick the water and create a splash. And don’t forget a play-by-play as you wash name her little body parts as you bathe and she’ll be learning a tub-full of words!

    • They can be soothing. You probably already know this from your own bathing experience, but nothing’s more calming and comforting than a soak in a tub after a long day. Up the relaxation even more by trying your hand at infant massage afterwards. While most little ones love it, if your baby balks , don’t sweat it just cuddle instead.

    • They may induce sleep. There’s even more reason to love bathing your baby, especially if you add it to her bedtime routine. The warm water, warm room and warm feeling of being safe, secure and loved work magic and will put your baby in the mood to snooze.

    Benefits Of Delaying Your Newborns First Bath

    • Temperature regulation

    During delivery, your baby experiences a sudden contrast in climate as they enter a dry environment from the fluid-filled amniotic sac. This causes their skin to easily dry out, crack, and peel especially when babies are born further along in the gestation period.

    • Prevent dry skin

    Your baby will be born with a coating of vernix caseosa on their skin. This creamy, waxy build-up consists mostly of water, lipids, and proteins and promotes better temperature regulation and softer skin after birth.

    Frequent bathing results in drier skin at any age. So, to help prevent dry skin, we wait up to 24 hours before wiping off the vernix caseosa. However, if the mother has an infection that could be transmitted to the baby, such as HIV or herpes, we clean the newborn right away.

    • Breastfeeding benefits

    Studies have shown that delaying babys first bath can also lead to more success with breastfeeding, as it increases skin-to-skin contact between the baby and mother. And by staying warmer longer, babies are less tired and irritated when learning to latch.

    Related reading:5 tips for successful breastfeeding

    Also Check: What Can I Put On My Newborns Dry Scalp

    Causes Of Skin Sensitivity

    Many problems with sensitive, irritated skin are made worse by bathing habits that unintentionally dry out the skin too much. Soaking in a hot bath for long periods of time and scrubbing will lead to dry skin. Additionally, many existing skin conditions will worsen if you over-scrub your child or use drying, perfumed soaps. Some skin conditions, like childhood eczema , are not caused by dirt or lack of hygiene. Therefore, parents do not need to scrub the inflamed areas. Scrubbing will cause dry, sensitive skin to become even more dry.

    How Often Do Children Need To Take A Bath

    How Many Times A Week Should You Bathe A Baby : How Often ...

    If getting your child to take a bath often means a struggle, youll be glad to know that a daily bath may not be necessary. How often your child needs a bath depends on your childs age and activities.

    These guidelines from dermatologists can help you figure out how often a child 6 years of age or older needs a bath. Youll also find dermatologists tips that can help you:

    • Make bath time fun a child at any age.

    • Teach your child healthy hand-washing habits.

    Also Check: How Many Times Should I Bathe My Newborn

    How Often Should You Bathe A Newborn

    Bathing a newborn is something many new parents eagerly look forward to. After all, there is nothing sweeter than a tiny baby getting gently soaped up and cleaned, while splashing around.

    But the reality of bathing our babies may be different than expected and you may also be concerned about how to bathe your baby safely.

    Maybe you have a baby who seems to really dislike baths. Or you feel unsure of how often to bathe them. Too much to bathe them daily? What if you cant get in a decent bath more than once or twice a week?

    Rest assured, bathing your baby doesnt have to be as complicated as it seems. A few basic tips can go a long way.

    As for how often you need to bathe your baby? There arent too many rules. If your baby can only get in a good bath a few times a week, you are actually totally on track. Its also usually OK if you want to bathe your baby more frequently, too.

    How Often Should I Give My Child A Bath

    How often you need to bathe your child is dependent on the childs sensitivity and thus varies from child to child advises Scott A. Norton, MD

    How often should I give my child a bath?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics says that newborns, especially, do not need a bath every day. While parents should make sure the diaper region of a baby is clean, until a baby learns how to crawl around and truly get messy, a daily bath is unnecessary. So, why do we feel like kids should bathe every day?

    Also Check: How To Help Baby Poop Newborn

    Drying And Dressing Your Newborn After A Bath: Steps

    Heres how to take your newborn out of the bath, ready for drying and dressing:

  • Supporting your babys head and neck, lift your baby out of the bath then place them on their back on a clean, dry, soft towel. If possible, dry your baby on the floor so they cant fall. If youre changing your baby on a raised surface like a table, keep one hand on your baby at all times.
  • Wrap your baby in a soft towel and pat baby dry. Dry babys skin creases, including armpits, groin, under the chin, around the neck and behind the ears.
  • If your babys skin is dry, apply a non-perfumed cream or ointment to your babys skin.
  • If your baby has nappy rash, apply a thick barrier cream like zinc paste to the nappy area.
  • Dress your baby, putting their nappy on first.
  • Place your baby in a safe place, like a cot or bassinette.
  • Empty the bath water.
  • Bathing your baby takes practice, so try to relax and take your time. You might like to start by bathing your baby when someone else is around to help. If youre worried about losing your grip on your baby, you can make the bath less slippery by lining it with a clean cloth nappy or towel.

    Related Posts

    Popular Articles