Baby Is Already Tired
While bathing is supposed to relax the child, it might be counter-productive if the kid is already too tired and ready to sleep, especially if the bath routine is just before bedtime.
What Can You Do?
Try to advance the bathing routine to a little before the usual bed-time. This will not disturb your babys sleeping routine.
Tips For A Peaceful Kitty Bath
While we did share how you can keep your kitty calm during a bath, there are a few tips to keep it safe and smooth for your cat and yourself.
- Clip the cats nails before the bath. Trimming your cats nails would not only save you from any scratches while you attempt to clean the cat, but it is also better for their hygiene.
- Brush the fur to remove broken hair beforehand. It will help you not just get rid of unwanted hair at the bottom of the tub but also remove any tangles and make bathing easier. Not doing so will end up choking your drain and increasing your trouble
- Use water at a comfortable temperature. You may either see for yourself by feeling the water or using a baby bath monitor to assess if it is okay for your little friend.
- Quickly wrap them in a big enough towel after a bath and thoroughly dry them up. They hate getting into that tub and would appreciate getting out and getting rid of all the water soaking their fur. You will be setting them for what to expect after each bath.
- Reward it after the bath to make them associate it with something positive. You may offer special treats, extra cuddles, or something fun to reward them for their patience and encourage them for future baths.
Maintain The Right Water Temperature
Fill the bathtub with warm water. The water should not be hot, and you must check it with your elbow before placing the baby in it. The maximum temperature limit for babies bathwater is 120°F . However, the safest temperature is 98.60 to 100.40°F . Also, once you undress the baby, place them in the bathtub immediately to prevent them from feeling cold.
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Bathe Them Slowly And Calmly
Quick frantic movements will drive an already panicked cat to craziness. The kitty is very small compared to you it is already freaking out and cannot speak to let you know how it feels. Be considerate of all these things when you bathe them.
For that to happen, besides using a calm tone and gentle behavior, use slow, gentle movements as well. Use your touch to make them feel at ease. Let them be comfortable before you proceed from one step to the other.
Bedtime Secret: Set Aside Some Quiet Time
This can mean everything from reading stories to your baby to listening to soft music togetheror even singing to your little one.
In fact, reading isn’t just calmingit can also boost your little one’s brainpower. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading every day to little kids, beginning when they are infants, to improve their acquisition of language and overall literacy skills.
If you’re looking for some musical inspiration, play one of the 14 lullabies on the free JOHNSON’S® BEDTIME® baby sleep app, such as Hush Little Baby and Lullaby and Goodnight. The app also offers 14 ambient sounds, including the sound of ocean waves and gentle rain.
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How To Stop Babies From Hating A Bath
Parents may check for the possible reasons behind the baby hating a bath. You may observe the surroundings during baths or check the time when your baby usually begins to cry while bathing. Identifying the underlying cause and addressing it usually helps make bathing a comfortable experience for the little one.
Below are some other essential points to prevent a babys crankiness during baths and to make it a safe experience for them .
Hold Your Baby But Be Prepared To Give Them Space
Some babies want to be held or touched, but many dont.
In fact, says Kathrotia, babies in the purple crying phase of their development which is roughly between the ages of 2 weeks and 4 months might resist touch and cuddles when theyre overstimulated because thats precisely what is overstimulating them.
If your little one seems to pull away from your touch, lay them down on their back in a safe place, like their crib, and sit nearby until they calm down.
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Use A Cup For Bathing
Did we mention cats do not like water splashed over them? One of the most important things you could do to calm your cat during a bath is to use a cup for bathing it instead of hosing it down with a faucet. While there might be exceptions, and if your little friend enjoys a shower, entertain it by all means.
But in most cases, they would not appreciate running water coming at them with speed. Do away with the hassle by using a cup to pour water over them slowly. Wash out all the residue to avoid any build-up or consequent irritations later.
Bedtime Secret: Draw A Warm Bath
Few activities can be as soothing as taking abathand thats especially true for little ones. After coming out of a warm bath, a baby’s body temperature starts to cool, which can help your infant fall asleep more easily.
Use water that’s warm but not hot , and fill the tub with just a couple of inches of water. If your infant cant yet sit up, support your babys head and back with one hand, while using a washcloth and mild baby wash to cleanse your little one.
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How Do You Calm Down A Crying Baby
There is no way out of this one. If you are a new mom, you should be prepared for all the baby cries and screams. It is their way of communicating whatever is going on in their lives. It could be hunger, fear, pain, need for sleep and maybe no reason at all.
Interpreting what your baby is telling you when she cries will be a little hard at first, but it is just a matter of time before you can figure it out every time she cries. In the meantime, you have a more pressing issue which is Calming down the crying baby. Or perhaps the two are dependent if you sort out why your baby is crying, you will have succeeded in calming her down.
You, therefore, need to learn the right techniques of calming crying babies. In this way, calming any unresponsive, colicky, upset, hungry or tired baby will be no problem. You will be a baby whisperer in your own way. How do you calm down a crying baby? Well, keep it with me and find out.
How Do You Calm Down A Crying Baby?
Tip : Use Soap Sparingly During The Bath
While you might have images of a bath filled with bubbles, skip it. Not only can excess soap irritate your baby’s skin, but it can also lead to urinary tract infections. Instead, stick with a few drops of baby-safe soap or shampoo to clear away any grime.
Your baby’s skin probably won’t need any lotion afterward, but you can talk to your pediatrician if you notice dry skin. Just remember that anything you introduce onto your baby’s skin can upset its delicate balance.
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How Often To Bathe Your Newborn
You may be surprised to learn that your newborn doesnât need bathing every day â although thatâs fine too, if he or she really enjoys it.Otherwise, two or three bath times a week is enough, as long as you give your baby a daily clean-up of the face, neck, hands and bottom , and thoroughly clean the nappy area at each nappy change. In terms of when to give that first official bath, itâs up to you! You may like to wait a few days and just give âtop and tailâ cleanses in those first few days instead of proper baths, but you might also like to start a bathing routine as soon as you bring your baby home.
How To Calm A Newborn Baby
The house is peaceful. It is dark outside and you are asleep. All of a sudden the wail of your newborn goes off like an alarm. All you want to do is make it stop so that you can get a little extra sleep, but how? It can be very frustrating and at times it can push even the most loving parents right over the edge. Knowing how to calm down your screaming newborn can bring much relief to both you and your baby. After all, everyone knows how essential sleep is for an infant, and parents need it too.
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Mind The Air And Water Temperature
“I run a nice warm bath. I hold my son and wipe him down with a wet washcloth from the tub so he can feel the temperature of the water. Then I place him in the tub feet first. Once in the tub, he’s fine kicking his feet in the water. But if water splashes his face, I have to hurry and get him out of the water because there’s no calming him down after that.”
“My baby screamed as soon as I put him in the water until I finally realized he was startled by the temperature of the water. I started making it just barely lukewarm, and sometimes would add warmer water later after he was in, and he stopped crying.”
“Try altering the temperature in the room. I tried everything, until I thought to bring a mini space heater in there and bring it up to almost 80 degrees. It worked!”
“Make sure the bathroom and drying area are nice and warm. I run a small heater with the door closed for a few minutes before putting my baby in the bath. I also have one running in his bedroom for dry-off and dressing.”
Swimming Lessons Makes Your Baby Smarter
Babies earliest learning happens through their senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. Its how they experience new awareness, but only if exposed to appropriate stimuli. And what could be a better way of stimulating the sense of touch than being completely immersed in water?
All of the activities that typically make up a swim lesson arouse the senses. It can be as simple as reaching for age-appropriate toys of different colors and textures. This activity is one great way to stimulate sight and touch and even taste since the toys will most certainly make a beeline for the mouth. To learn how to teach your baby to swim yourself, enroll in this course entitled Teach Babies to Swim 4 to 8 Months.
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Quick Ways To Calm Your Baby After A Bath
by Amber Dixon
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There are babies that hate taking a bath, and then there are babies that scream at the top of their lungs after the bath. Either way, you need to figure out how to calm your baby.
First, youll need to determine why your baby is screaming. Theyre usually cold or simply dont like the bath for one reason or another. Then, you need to solve that underlying issue.
Why Does Baby Wake Up As Soon As I Put Her Down
Your childs vestibular sense senses the sudden change in position. Through sensory inputs from the skin, joints and muscles their proprioception tells them their body is in a different place in relation to their environment. Understandably, a sudden change in position and movement can wake a person up.
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Additional Newborn Bath Tips
- As you move from one area of the body to another, change the washcloth parts to keep the clean cloth on cleaner parts of the body.
- Pat the skin with a washcloth and blot dry with a towel rather than vigorously scrubbing, which may irritate your bathing babys sensitive skin.
- Spot-cleaning works best for babies who do not like either a total sponge bath or an immersion bath. Clean the areas that get the oiliest, sweaty, or dirty.
- Clean the eyes on an as-needed basis rather than during the regular bath. Infants often protest eye cleaning, which may set off a protest for the entire bath. Using cotton balls and warm tap water , wash accumulated discharge out of the corners of your babys eyes.
- Cotton-tipped applicators are handy when cleaning little crevices in and behind the outer ear, but never try to clean inside the ear canal, as you may damage the canal or eardrum.
The Flow Of Water Into The Eyes
Toddlers are not savvy with the concept of shutting their eyelids as a reflex to avoid foreign bodies from getting into the eyes. The continuous flow of water can be an irritant and make the baby cry.
What Can You Do?
Use a head visor to protect the eyes and avoid pouring too much water on the face.
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Why Does My Baby Suddenly Hate The Bath
As your baby grows and develops, you might find their likes and dislikes change. For example, your baby might love oatmeal, but suddenly they cant stand it. The same goes for bath time!
If your baby suddenly hates the bath, there could be many different reasons for the change. For instance, they might be sensitive to different water temperatures or possibly scared of something like the fan, water faucet, or drain. Or, they could simply be overwhelmed!
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Consult A Doctor If The Baby Continues To Hate Bathing
If your baby continues to hate baths or becomes excessively upset during or after it, speak to a pediatrician. If your baby has a skin issue, your babys doctor may recommend you a specific bathing routine. Some babies with skin problems may even require very few baths a month. Discuss the bathing routine and any concerns related to hygiene with your doctor.
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When To Bathe A Newborn Baby
Your baby shouldnt be given a bath straight after theyre born as they need to stay warm8. But dont worry, the nurses will have given them a good clean8.
Many parents prefer to give babies a while to get used to their new surroundings, so will just give them whats known as a top and tail bath the first few times5.
Try The 5 Ss From The Happiest Baby On The Block
When I was pregnant, I read Harvey Karps famous book, The Happiest Baby On The Block, and I always recommend to my friends to do the same. Its a very simple read that is packed full of information, and theres also a DVD which Ive heard is extremely helpful . Karps method is based on implementing 5 common actions to soothe your fussy baby: swaddling, placing your baby on their side, shushing, swinging and sucking. The biggest emphasis is placed on swaddling first, because it gives your newborn a sense of security that mimics the feeling of being in the womb. Now, we know not all babies love being swaddled, and thats why there are 4 more Ss that almost always work in some form. You dont need any special equipment and even in a sleep deprived state, you can usually remember a few of them!
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Sing Or Play Calming Songs
When learning how to calm your newborn during bath, its always a good idea to try singing soothing songs. You can also play some quiet, calming songs on your phone during bath time if youd rather.
When first starting, its helpful to have a song that you know always calms your baby down or a song that you sing or play frequently. When your baby hears the music, it can help to distract them and calm them down.
Does My Baby Have A Food Sensitivity
Whether your baby is exclusively breastfed or theyre already snacking on baby food, a food sensitivity could make them uncomfortable. If you suspect that a food sensitivity might be the issue, talk to your doctor about how to approach it. Breastfeeding moms can change their own diet, while bottle-fed babies might need to try a different formula.
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When Is The Best Time Of Day To Bathe Your Newborn
There is no one perfect time to give your baby a bath â itâs your decision. Choose a time when youâre least likely to be interrupted and you arenât in a hurry.As a general rule, youâll find bathing your newborn is usually easiest when he or she is wide awake and content.Itâs best not to bathe your newborn baby when he or she is tired or hungry. If you plan to give your baby a bath after feeding, wait a while to give your childâs tummy a chance to settle.When your infantâs a little older , you might like to schedule bath times for the evening as part of his or her bedtime routine.