How Hot Should The Water Be For A Newborn
Getting the temperature right is a very important part of learning how to bathe a newborn. Use your elbow or inner wrist to test water temperature it should feel comfortably warm. If youre unsure, use a baby bath thermometer and ensure the water is 37-38 degrees Celcius/99-100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where To Bath Your Newborn
You can give your newborn a bath in a small plastic bath or even in the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink might be easiest in the first few weeks. A plastic baby bath is probably easier once your baby gets bigger.
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.
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.
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Circumcision And Umbilical Cord Care
Immediately after circumcision, the tip of the penis is usually covered with gauze coated with petroleum jelly to keep the wound from sticking to the diaper. Gently wipe the tip clean with warm water after a diaper change, then apply petroleum jelly to the tip so it doesn’t stick to the diaper. Redness or irritation of the penis should heal within a few days, but if the redness or swelling increases or if pus-filled blisters form, infection may be present and you should call your baby’s doctor immediately.
Umbilical cord care in newborns is also important. Some doctors suggest swabbing the area with rubbing alcohol until the cord stump dries up and falls off, usually in 10 days to 3 weeks, but others recommend leaving the area alone. Talk to your child’s doctor to see what he or she prefers.
An infant’s navel area shouldn’t be submerged in water until the cord stump falls off and the area is healed. Until it falls off, the cord stump will change color from yellow to brown or black this is normal. Call your doctor if the navel area looks red or if a foul odor or discharge develops.
Monitor Your Baby Closely
Keep a close eye on your little one and make sure theyre enjoying bath time! Some newborns take to the water naturally and have a blast in the tub. On the other hand, some infants need time to get used to the feeling of being in water and being bathed.
Whatever the case may be, just monitor your baby closely. If theyre having fun, let them play in the tub for a while! If they seem uncomfortable, try to get through bathtime quickly.
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How To Sponge Bathe A Newborn Baby Boy
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How To Give Your Newborn A Bath
Step : Wash Your Newborns Head And Face
In the first few weeks use cotton wool on the most sensitive areas of the eyes and face and use plain water .
HOW TO BATHE A NEWBORNS EYES
Dip the cotton w00l in the water, squeeze off the excess and wipe gently from the inner corner of the eye, across the eyelid out towards the ears. Use a fresh cotton ball for the second eye.
FACE & MOUTH
Using another fresh cotton ball wipe the face and mouth with short, gentle strokes.
EARS
The ears are slightly less delicate, so you can switch to one of those super soft washcloths now if you like. Only wash the outside of the ears and lobes, dont try to clean inside babys ears and never use a Q-tip inside either as you may damage the eardrum.
SCALP & NECK
Wash over the scalp and all around the neck, not forgetting all those little creases and folds where stray milk can fester and leave a red sore . You may find a drop of soap helpful, if your baby spits-up a lot.
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How To Bathe Your Newborn Baby Step
Fill the baby bath with water, to a depth of around 8 to 10 centimetres. Stir the water thoroughly to get rid of any hot or cold spots, and then check the baby bath temperature. Test the water by dipping your wrist or elbow into the water. It should feel warm, but not hot. If you use a bath thermometer, it should show around 37 degree Celsius, but itâs still a good idea to test the water with your own skin.
Hold your newborn on your lap and clean his or her face with wet cotton wool. Start at the nose and move outwards, cleaning around the eyes. Use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye, and another for cleaning around each ear.
Support your baby over the bath or bowl and carefully wash his or her hair with plain water from your cupped hand.
Gently dry your little oneâs hair , then remove the nappy and wipe away any poo.
Now, with one hand holding the upper arm and supporting the head and shoulders, lower your baby gently into the bath.
Keep your infantâs head clear of the water, and gently swish water over your babyâs body with your free hand. You might like to use a small sponge for this.
Carefully lift your baby out of the bath and pat him or her dry with the other towel. Take care to dry in all the creases and folds of the skin.
Change Of Clothes For Baby If Necessary
Its only necessary to change your newborns clothes when they are actually dirty newborns are comforted and soothed by familiar smells, including their own smell, so no need to bring out new clothes just because youre bathing. If baby has only been in her pre-bath clothes a few hours or even a day and theyre still relatively clean, refrain the urge to bring out clean clothes.
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How To Bathe A Newborn: 10 Simple Steps
If youve recently given birth to your first child, congratulations! The first few months of your babys life are an amazing time. But you might be wondering about how to bathe your newborn.
Not to worry! Its actually an easy process and, once you get the hang of it, youll be a baby-bath expert in no time. Keep reading to find out how to bathe a newborn in 10 simple steps.
Tips For Sponge Bathing Your Baby
Keep your baby covered in a warm towel while youre bathing them. Only uncover the parts of your babys body that youre washing, keeping the rest of their body warm and wrapped up in the towel.
Dont forget to wash hard-to-see areas, like behind your babys ears, under their arms, around their neck, and the genital area. And if your baby has sweet little rolls on their legs and arms, move their skin to wash in-between the creases.
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How Often You Should Bathe Your Newborn
Newborns dont need daily baths in their first few months of life. In fact, bathing your loved one too often may dry out their delicate and easily irritated skin. Three baths per week is plenty, as long as youre following a basic daily hygiene routine.
For example, always clean your babys bottom thoroughly when changing a dirty diaper. Your babys diaper area needs to be kept clean to avoid infections and rashes.
Use gentle baby wipes, like Mustelas Soothing Cleansing Wipes or Stelatopia Cleansing Wipes. This will keep your little one clean while protecting their delicate skin.
On the days when you arent bathing your newborn, you can use micellar water to cleanse their most important areas. Mustela No Rinse Cleansing Water is both gentle and effective! Use it to keep your little one clean without drying out their skin.
When using micellar water, focus on your babys face, hands, feet, neck, armpits, and the backs of their knees. These areas need to be cleansed more often than their arms, legs, and tummy.
Delayed Bathing Also Improves Bonding And Breastfeeding Success
Time post-delivery should be spent encouraging that first breastfeed and as much skin-to-skin as possible. Both help mother-baby bonding and get breastfeeding off to a good start.
So dont rush your newborns first bath theres no harm in waiting several days, even a week after delivery a thorough clean of the diaper area and any spills and messes from the other end, will be perfectly good enough and allow that vernix to do its job.
So, the full answer to when should newborns get their first bath, is between 24 hours and 7 days after delivery.
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Helping Baby Enjoy Bath Time
To help your baby enjoy bath time, you can try placing your hand gently on their tummy. You can also place a warm wet washcloth on their chest and tummy. This can help your baby feel safe and secure in the bath.
If your baby doesnt like baths, give them a top and tail bath one day and a proper bath the next. Generally, babies get used to baths by around three months.
How To Bathe A Baby Step By Step
You will need to find a nice warm spot for your baby to take their bath and this might not necessarily be the bathroom for you.
Our warmest and easiest place to bathe the baby was in my bedroom.
It was just much easier as I could have everything that I needed to hand quite easily.
Your babys bath water temperature will need to be around 37-38 degrees, which would be around body temperature.
You can get lots of fancy bath temperature gadgets in the shape of toys or more practical types to help you set the water temperature.
However, if you prefer to be more old school then you can try using your elbow to gauge the temperature.
The elbow area works great as a tester because it is one of the more sensitive areas of the body.
Once your water is set up and you have all your supplies to hand you can begin to bathe your baby.
Your baby is a newborn so you have to remember that they wont have much control over their bodies yet.
As such you will need to make sure that you are fully supporting your babys body using just one hand as you will need the other to bathe them.
The one hand that you are using to support them will need to be placed under their back to support the head and neck.
Gently lower your baby into the bathwater and start by washing your babys face with a flannel.
Make sure you only use plain water at this stage in case you get soap into your babys eyes.
Once you have finished with the face you can then wash the rest of your babys body.
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This article was co-authored by Kylee Money. Kylee Money is a Parenting Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Parenting Made Joyful. Since 2001, Kylee has worked with over 1,000 parents and families on sleep training, behavior management, potty training, and more. She is a contributing writer and board advisory member at Pampers.com, a CBS News Parent Expert, and featured on Fox and Friends and Buy Buy Baby. Kylee also speaks nationally at parenting expos on the subject of sleep training.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 401,374 times.
Bathing a newborn for the first time can be a little daunting. It is important to keep babies safe and cozy, especially during their first few months, and that’s tricky to do during bathtime. With the right supplies and a bit of practice, bathing your child can be a fun, playful experience, and the perfect time for the two of you to bond together. Read on to learn how to prepare for the bath, wash your baby safely, and make them comfortable after you’re finished.
Some Recommended Creams For Moisturizing Your Newborn Post Sponge Bath
Again, just like when choosing baby soap, avoid perfumed lotions and creams and avoid nasties such as phthalates, parabens, dyes and other chemicals. So try:
- petroleum jelly recommended by pediatric dermatologists above lotions and moisturizers designed specifically for babies according to this article from Web MD
- lanolin-based creams, such as this nipple cream its 100% natural and extremely moisturizing so also ideal for your newborns dry skin .
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