Umbilical Cord Care: Do’s And Don’ts For Parents
Instead, expose the stump to air to help dry out the base. Keep the front of your baby’s diaper folded down to avoid covering the stump. Stick with sponge baths. While there’s no harm in getting the stump wet, sponge baths might make it easier to keep the stump dry. Let the stump fall off on its own. Resist the temptation to pull off the stump yourself.
Washing And Rinsing Baby In The Baby Tub
Wash baby with a washcloth and a bit of soap, using a similar process to the sponge bath.
- Remember: babies don’t need much soap!
You can also use the cup to wet baby with the warm water, as you bathe them.
Doulas Jessica and Kristi from Helping Hands Doula share more on bathing your little one in the baby tub:
End the bath when the water in the baby tub starts to get too cold.
Then, rinse baby with a cup of clean, warm water.
- Cradle the back of baby’s head in one hand and drape their body over your arm. Hold their head over the baby tub.
- Slowly pour the water on their head.
- Next, hold their body over the baby tub. Slowly pour water over their body parts, making sure all the soap is rinsed off.
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:
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Fill Your Babys Bathtub With Water
The second step is to fill the bathtub with water. You only need two to three inches of water to bathe your newborn.
The water temperature should be roughly the same temperature as the human body98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Anywhere between 90° F and 100° F is perfect. Use a thermometer to make sure youve got the temperature just right.
What Do I Need For A Tub Bath
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Baby bathtub
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Nonslip mat or pad
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Bath thermometer . These often have “safe” bath temperature ranges marked on them.
When bathing your baby in a tub:
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Clear the counter or table top of breakable objects and electrical appliances to prevent injury.
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Fill the tub with warm water, making sure the water is warm, not hot. Always test the water before placing your baby into the tub. Some parents feel most comfortable using a baby bath thermometer to confirm the correct temperature of the water.
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Follow the same general bathing instructions for a sponge bath.
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NEVER take your hands off your baby, or walk away, even for a moment.
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Be sure to clean the bathtub after each use.
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How To Bathe A Newborn Baby With An Umbilical Cord
A sponge bath is usually the first method for Mamas to clean their little ones. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP_ recommends a sponge bath until the umbilical cord falls off.
It takes approximately two weeks for the stump to fall off, but of course, it isnt always consistent. In some babies, the stump falls as early as five days after birth. However, if the stump has not dried up and fallen off by three weeks old, its recommended to consult a doctor to assess the umbilical cord.
Heres how to properly bathe your baby if the umbilical cord is still attached! Save this on your mobile phone, so you can easily remember it, too.
Can You Bathe Your Baby While The Umbilical Cord Stump Is Still Attached
During your babyâs first few weeks, while the umbilical cord stump is still attached, you should only give sponge baths.
A sponge bath is as simple as wrapping your baby in a towel, and wiping her with a damp washcloth and soapy water. Youâll want to do this on a comfortable surface such as a changing table. Keep your baby wrapped in the towel, bathing one part at a time.
The umbilical cord stump typically falls off in a few weeks. If it stays on longer than that, you might want to check with your babyâs healthcare provider.
Youâll want the umbilical cord stump to dry up and fall off on its own, which is why only sponge baths are recommended until that time.
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How To Bathe A Newborn Whose Umbilicard Cord Has Fallen Off
Once the umbilical stump is gone, its safe to use a bathtub to bathe your newborn baby. Initially, you may face some resistance because theyre not used to it. If your baby is crying and refusing, gently ease him/her into the bathtub. Do this by holding their head in your hands and soaking their feet in the tub.
Heres a visual guide to help you, Mamas! Save this on your mobile phone, so you can easily remember it, too.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Newborn
Until a baby starts getting down and dirty on the ground, a daily bath isn’t needed . Your baby only needs a bath two or three times a week and in fact too much bathing can dry out your infants delicate skin. Newborns should only have sponge baths until their umbilical cords dry up and fall off.
If your baby’s umbilical cord stump is still intact or if a circumcised newborn’s penis hasn’t healed, avoid tub baths altogether and just use your hands or a baby washcloth for cleanups. When your baby is ready to give it a go, find a flat surface bathroom or kitchen counter, bed, even the floor and keep washing up with the sponge gently and briefly until she gets used to it.
When youre ready to graduate from a sponge bath, move the fun to a baby bathtub and eventually the big tub when your baby can sit up on her own and outgrows the infant tub. There’s nothing cuter than seeing a baby splashing in the bath, soapy suds dotting those chubby folds and dimples but always keep safety in mind. Never leave your baby alone in the bath water even for a second.
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Always Have A Warm Dry Soft Towel At The Ready
Once the bath is over, your baby needs to warm up, especially in those first few months when s/he is still relying on skin-to-skin contact or warm environments to regulate body temperature. Having a soft, warm, dry towel within arms reach during the bath allows you to wrap your baby up immediately after removing him/her from the water.
Once dry, put on a fresh diaper and some clothes so the baby can warm up. A nice, long feed and snuggle is almost always welcome at this point.
Use A Small Tub Or The Sink As The First Baby Bath
As always, your babys safety is always the first priority, which is why a sink with a towel or anti-slip rubber mat, or a small, plastic tub, makes the ideal first baby bath tub. The small quarters make it easier for you to secure your baby as you use one hand and the other to support her/him while using nearby bathing essentials.
While baby baths are a common baby shower registry item, you can also use an inexpensive dish tub used for camping or a small, flat-bottomed foot bath you may already have on hand. There are intentional inserts to use in a regular size bath, but this can be hard on the bathers back.
Never fill the tub more than 2- or 3-inches so that the occasional slip or twist can occur without compromising your babys safety, security, or well-being. Its still best to use the sponge bath method to wash the babys face and eyes, so their breathing isnt compromised by any running water or dripping clothes from the bath.
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How To Bathe Your Baby
You’ve learned how to hold your beautiful baby, you’ve learned how to feed him or her, and now you’re facing a new challenge: Baby needs a bath.
Some new parents feel anxious about bath time. Armed with a little information and preparation, you can be confident giving a bath. Here are some tips to help with bath time.
Faq: What Is Umbilical Cord Avulsion
How do they cut the umbilical cord after abortion? … Signs of a problem Much like a scab, the cord stump might bleed a little when it falls off. However, contact your babys doctor if the umbilical area oozes pus, the surrounding skin becomes red and swollen, or the area develops a pink moist bump. …
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Clean Baby Using A Soft Wash Cloth Or Sponge
Use one arm to support babys back, head, and neck use your other hand to sponge babys body parts one at a time. Start with the cleanest parts of your baby and work to the dirtiest parts . Never retract or clean uncircumcised penises or put soap inside the vagina. And be sure to pay close attention to any folds or rolls, under the neck, under the arms, in the upper thigh rolls, and the bum.
What if baby still has the umbilical cord stump??
When it comes to the umbilical cord stump, the best rule is to leave it alone. If it does get wet, dry it in the process, simply dry it with a soft cloth. Read more about umbilical cord care.
Often Asked: What Happens If The Umbilical Cord Doesnt
In most cases, the umbilical cord stump dries up and falls off the newborn within the first few weeks of life. But sometimes an infection can develop. This may cause the area around the cord to swell and become inflamed, red, or tender. There may be cloudy, discolored, or bad-smelling discharge from the cord.
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Discover Mamas Choice Baby Hair & Body Wash
Now, choosing a safe hair and body wash for your little one is easier than ever with Mamas Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash. A baby shampoo and body wash in one, this product gently cleanses and moisturizes the hair and skin of newborns with a balanced pH.
Not only is it enriched with Lavender & Chamomile that lends a relaxing effect for babies, but it also has a Sulfate-Free yet Natural Bubble-Rich formula that will make bath time even more enjoyable for your little one.
If your baby still has her umbilical cord stump, you only need to use one or two drops of Mamas Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash. Mix into warm water, then soak a towel and wipe all over the body.
Theres no need to worry at all because Mamas Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash is 100% free of harmful chemicals and has been certified Halal. You can also find them on our official website and Lazada.
Arent these tips on how to bathe a newborn baby easy to remember? We hope you find these helpful, Mama!
Bonus Tip: Use Babys Bath Time As Part Of The Nighttime Routine
Your babys warm bath can become a relaxing part of the nighttime routine, and can ultimately contribute to better sleep habits down the road.
For more detailed instructions on how to give a newborn a bath, read healthykids.orgs post on Bathing Your Baby.
My name is Marcela Limon and Im a professional, Bay Area maternity and newborn photographer. I love nothing more than to photograph newborn infants in all their glory or bundled up as snug as little bugs in rugs. Are you interested in capturing some of the magical and priceless moments of your newborn’s first weeks of life? Contact me at Lemonshoots to schedule your session.
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Situating And Supervising Baby
To place baby in the bath, gently slide them into the baby tub, feet first.
- As you slide baby in, hold them securely.
- One arm should provide support under their head, and that hand should grasp baby under their underarm.
- The other arm should support baby’s bottom.
Never leave baby alone in the bath, not even for a second.
- There’s a high risk of drowning if baby is left unsupervised in the tub.
- As the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions, babies can drown in as little as 1-2 inches of water.
- And over half of bathtub deaths involve children under one year of age.
Never leave baby in the bath with only another child watching them, either. Babies need close adult supervision in the bath.
If you need to leave the bath area for any reason, you must take baby with you!
Keep one hand on baby at all times during the bath — use “touch supervision” to keep them safe.
- Ideally, use one arm to cradle babys head while you bathe them with the other hand.
Cleaning Your Newborns Belly Button After The Cord Falls
How Do You Clean a Belly Button After The Stump Falls Off? You may hear that you should apply alcohol to the area or do other things to help the belly button heal. However, according to studies , there is no reason to do anything other than clean around the belly button with water during bath time and give it plenty of air.
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How Long Should Belly Button Bleed After Umbilical Cord Falls Off
You may notice a red, raw-looking spot right after the stump falls off. A small amount of fluid sometimes tinged with blood may ooze out of the navel area. It is normal for this to last up to 2 weeks after the stump falls off. If it doesnt heal or dry completely within 2 weeks, call your doctor or nurse call line.
How Do You Care For A Baby Umbilical Cord
Care for your babys umbilicalcord stump: Wash your hands. Clean the cord stump. Use rubbing alcohol or water. Clean urine or bowel movement off the stump. Let the cord air dry. Dress your baby in loose clothing. Do not pull or tug at the cord stump. Do not cover the cord stump.
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