Bath Time Is About More Than Washing
Even if babies and toddlers need fewer baths than we might have thought, regular bath times for new borns and toddlers can be about more than just washing their skin and hair.
Bath time is a moment of connection with focused time and attention away from the other routines of life. Theres something unique about the experience as a parent that we instinctively want to keep hold of even if we dont have to go through the routines of washing every time.
In fact, taking the pressure off whether youve gone through the pain of trying to rinse shampoo out of their hair means you can actually make regular bath times more about the experience of play and connection. Even as kids grow up and especially when you have other children baths can become an important time to connect one-to-one and it often leads to deeper conversations that go beyond what did you do today?.
One of the hardest things parents find is actually when young children fall out of love with their regular bath time. When pre-schoolers and young children start protesting the essentials of looking after their skin and hair, it can be difficult not just because youre struggling physically to wash them, but because of those lost moments of connection.
What To Do When Bathing A Kitten For The First Time
This section is about giving a kitten a full bath in water. To read about taking care of orphan kittens, please read the sections titled Is it bad to bathe a kitten too often? and Can you give a small baby kitten a bath How soon can you bathe a newborn kitten?
If this is the first kitten-bathing experience for either you or your pet, you or the kitten may feel a bit anxious.
To make yourself feel more confident, be prepared. Familiarize yourself with the process before the event. Make sure you have all your equipment prepared and within easy reach before you start. It may be a good idea to have somebody there to help you.
Your kitten may also feel some anxiety during their first bath. This can depend on their temperament and past experience with water.
If the kitten is very anxious, it is essential to understand why they feel this way, such as if the water is too hot or cold, and do what you can to help them feel safe and secure.
If trying to bathe your kitten turns into a distressing or difficult experience, it is recommended that you talk to your vet for advice. If a bath is really necessary, your vet can give you some tips to help with the bath, or recommend a professional service to do the task for you.
How Often Should You Bathe A Kitten How To Bathe Kitten
Kittens are very cute and they can also be extremely fragile. It is so important to give them the right care to keep them safe and healthy, there may come a time when you feel that your kitten would benefit from a bath.
In this article, we will find out at what age and how often you can actually bathe kittens.
We will also see when and how to bathe a kitten that has fleas.
Don’t Miss: When Can I Take My Newborn A Bath
If Your Newborn Hates The Bath
Its actually very common for newborns to dislike bath time, especially at first. You may be surprised to learn this, and even think you are doing something wrong or that there is something wrong with your baby if they cry or fuss during bathtime.
One reason some babies resist bathtime is that they dont like the sudden temperature changes that happen. You can mitigate this by gently transitioning your baby into the water. Wrap them in a towel at first and gradually immerse them in the water, keeping the towel on until they are all the way in.
You can also experiment with bath temperatures to see what your baby likes best. And always have a warm towel ready when they come out so that transition isnt too jarring.
Some newborn prefer bathtime if you are holding them completely. As such, many parents decide to bathe with their babies in their arms. This can be a wonderful bonding experience. However, you must consider safety here. Only bathe with your baby when you are fully alert. Make sure you have a towel ready, and possibly another grown-up to hand your baby to when you are done. Dont use soaps and other bath products geared toward adult skin.
Finally, keep bathtime fun for your baby! Newborns cant play with bath toys yet, but that doesnt mean they cant be entertained by them. Funny faces and games of peek-a-boo can be very helpful as well.
You can spot clean your baby in the meantime. And most babies will eventually enjoy bath timeall in good time.
Why Should You Not Bathe Your Baby Every Day
Some people may find it odd to bathe their babies so few times in a week. However, it is important to note that you do not really need to. Babies do not get dirty the way that adults do and so babies need baths only a few times a week. Your babys skin is also so much more sensitive than yours, so bathing too often will have the opposite effect of what you actually want.
Bathing your little one too often could actually trigger skin problems such as eczema. Even if you bathe your baby too little, you will have problems like rashes, etc. If you want to avoid triggering problems like eczema, you can bath your baby and moisturize his skin with a good baby lotion that will not cause irritation.
If your baby already has a skin problem, you can speak with your doctor and get a proper skin care plan for your baby that will suit their issue and bring healing.
You May Like: Why Do Newborns Sleep So Much
Before Your Babys First Bath
While most parents are eager to give their babies the experience of their very first bath, it is important to ensure that your baby is truly ready. When you first bring your newborn home from the hospital, the stump of their umbilical cord must be kept clean and dry. While it is still attached, sponge baths are the best option for your baby.
Typically, after about 1 to 3 weeks, the umbilical cord stump will dry up and fall off. It is important to continue caring for the umbilical cord until the area completely heals. The ideal way to do this is to moisten one end of a cotton swab with water, gently clean around the base of the umbilical cord stump, and dry with the other side of the cotton swab.
Although moisture and drops of blood around the belly button is normal during this period of time, keeping the area clean and dry will help fight infection and prevent delayed healing. Check out our blog post on bathing a baby with an umbilical cord for more information.
Bathing Tips For Your Newborn
Image: Shutterstock
Before you bathe your baby, make sure you have all the essential supplies within your reach. Here are a few important tips you should bear in mind while you bathe them to ensure their maximum care and comfort :
- Once you get back home post-delivery, you can bathe your newborn one to two times every week until the umbilical stump falls off . Its good to avoid submerging them in water until that happens.
- Basic cleanups on a flat surface using a baby washcloth are enough to comfort and put your baby in the mood to sleep.
- At this age, unless your baby is covered in dirt, they dont need to take a daily bath. To ensure that your babys skin isnt irritated, stick to a gentle moisturizer and wash their clothes in chemical-free detergents before you dress them up.
- Take particular care of their face, neck, and the delicate folds of their skin. Also, clean up their fingers and feet as babies tend to suck on them often.
- Doctors also believe that if the umbilical cord stump is intact or your babys circumcised male genital organ hasnt healed, its best to avoid a tub bath altogether.
Read Also: How To Keep My Newborn Awake During The Day
How Often Should You Bathe A Baby With Eczema
If this is your first child, or if your child has been diagnosed with eczema recently, it is normal for you to wonder how often your little one needs to be bathed. There are many questions when it comes to the risks and benefits of daily bathing in children with eczema .
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, daily bathing of babies and children with eczema is acceptable as long as you moisturize their skin good afterward. However, many other scientists think that frequent bathing is not very beneficial and for this reason, parents are often confused.
How often should you bathe a baby with eczema? When it comes to eczema, you should look and experiment what works best for your baby. Perhaps, bathing your baby daily will work during the summer, but you can reduce it during the winter to every second day.
Take Your Time And Focus
- Choose a time when youre not trying to tackle a million things at once. Whether its early morning or in the evening before bedtime, make sure youre focused on the task at hand.
- Dont rush it! Bathing a baby the right way takes time. Set aside a chunk of time to allow you to get it done without frustration.
- Turn off your phone. Now is not the time to check your Instagram feed. Not fully attending to your baby is dangerous and puts them in harms way.
You May Like: How To Get Proper Latch For Newborn
Can You Shower A Newborn Baby
You can give your newborn a bath in a small plastic bath or even in the kitchen sink. You can bath your baby in any room thats warm, safe and clean it doesnt have to be a bathroom. You can also shower with your baby. Keep your babys face away from the pouring water and make sure to use warm, not hot, water.
Give Only Sponge Baths Till The Umbilical Cord Falls Off
During the first couple of weeks or so, specifically, till the umbilical cord stump falls off, your baby should only have sponge baths. This is so the stump doesnt get wet.
To give a sponge bath: Lay your baby on a flat comfortable surface in a warm room. If the surface is above floor level, place a hand next to the baby to make sure they dont fall. Dampen a clean washcloth with plain water and wash the face before using soapy water to clean the rest of the body. Pay attention to skin creases and do the diaper area last. Keep your baby wrapped up during the sponge bath and only expose the part that youre actively cleaning.2
Don’t Miss: How Much Similac For Newborn
Babys First Bath At Home
Once you get your little one home, theres no set timetable for when to give baby her first sponge bath. Experts agree that the timing for bathing a newborn is up to the parents, and that theres no big rush. Many families are excited about giving a baby their first newborn bath at home, but waiting a few days is fine, says Justin Smith, MD, a pediatrician at Cook Childrens Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Holly S., a mom of two, gave birth to her second baby at home and didnt bathe him for more than a week. Theres no need to wash them right away in most circumstances, she says. Any blood from the birth can be wiped off, and you just need to wipe their diaper areas thoroughly in the meantime. She also made sure to rub the vernix into her babys skin to get the most out of its antimicrobial and moisturizing properties.
What Soaps Are Best
Infant care is a multi-billion dollar industry, raking in close to $17 billion annually, and skin care products make up a large percentage of overall sales, according to the market research firm Grand View Research. The glut of products on the market coupled with flashy advertising and keywords that trigger the ever-present mom-guilt make it difficult to sniff out whats actually best for your baby versus who simply has the best marketing campaign.
Dr. Cordoro advises parents to use the less-is-more approach when choosing grooming products for their children: It is best to avoid or reduce fragrances, perfumes, dyes and other additives when it comes to cleansers and moisturizers, especially if your child has sensitive skin or eczema. Does that mean parents should opt for the more expensive organic products? Bear in mind that aromatics, botanicals and essential oils can trigger allergic reactions just as synthetic ingredients can. Some organic ingredients can also dry skin or worsen skin problems like eczema.
If your baby has a known skin condition, your safest bet is to consult with your pediatrician or dermatologist before choosing any topical grooming products. As with everything parenting-related, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. What works best for your baby may not be what works best for someone elses child or even what worked best for your other children. Talk to your childs health care provider and do what works best for your baby.
Recommended Reading: How Many Oz Of Formula For Newborn
Clean The Area Around The Umbilical Cord After You Change The Diaper
The cord of the umbilical cord typically falls off in 515 days. You need to keep this area clean and dry so that it doesnt get infected. Use a slightly damp clean washcloth to gently clean around the base whenever you change the diaper. And make sure you wipe away any discharge from the cord. Continue to clean this area for a few days after the stump falls off.3
How Much Water Must Be Used To Bathe A Newborn
When bathing a newborn, you can simply fill a bowl with water and clean your baby using a sponge or gentle washcloth. It is important to make sure that your baby stays warm, so you should keep your baby wrapped up in a bath towel and only expose the parts of your baby that you are cleaning.
How often to bathe babies can sometimes be of concern to new parents. While at first, it may feel a little uncomfortable for you to not bathe your child every day, you will soon realize the many benefits of it. Do not over bathe your baby, or bathe your baby too little either. Babies need a good balance of bathing just as with everything else. If you are still unsure about something or your baby has a particular skin ailment that may require special treatment, you can speak with your doctor to formulate a plan to take care of your baby.
Also Read:
Read Also: How To Deal With Fussy Newborn