How To Shower A Newborn

If Your Newborn Hates The Bath

You may think you are doing something wrong if your little one cries or otherwise protests during bath time. However, many newborns dislike being bathed at first.

One reason some babies resist bath time is that they dont like the sudden temperature change. You can lessen this transition by slowly getting 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 water temperatures to see what your baby likes best. And always have a warm towel ready when they come out so that the air on their wet skin doesn’t feel too jarring.

Some newborns tolerate baths better if you are holding them. As a result, many parents decide to bathe with their babies in their arms. This can be a wonderful bonding experience, but remember to keep safety in mind. 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. And dont use soaps and other bath products geared toward adult skin.

Finally, keep bath time 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.

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.

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.

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No Need For A Postpartum Visit

If you dont like attention and dont want multiple events, then its another reason to hold a baby shower after the infant arrives. Loved ones will expect to see the baby post-birth, so its common for folks to hold a postpartum visit or a sip-and-see so family and friends can meet the new addition.

Some people like having multiple events to celebrate, and if thats you, then go for it! But if the thought of holding a baby shower and a postpartum visit stresses you out, then combine it all into one big event.

The Reverse Football Cradle

Ideal for babies who have head control, especially big babies.

As your baby grows in weight and length, the standard football cradle will no longer be possible. This is where the reverse football cradle comes into play.

Turn your baby the opposite direction, so that your hand is now cradling their butt. Let their body lay the length of your forearm. Tuck the arm closest to your body around your waist. This helps provide additional support.

You can also cradle them at a slight angle, by lowering your hand and lifting your forearm away from your body just slightly. This helps turn their body in towards yours, providing a little neck support. But, this adjustment can definitely be a workout. Dont be surprised if youre a little sore afterward.

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How Often Should I Bath My Baby

Its not necessary to bath your baby every day around 2-3 times per week will be enough. Though you may find your baby relaxes when theyre bathed and you like to include bathing as part of their pre-settling routine.

You may need to bath your baby more often once theyre eating solid food. Theres always more mess to clean when babies are learning how to feed themselves.

Best Temperature For A Bath

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.

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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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How Often Can You Bathe With Your Infant

Until your babys umbilical cord falls off, you should never bathe or shower with your baby.

Instead, help to give her a sponge bath a couple times a week using just water or water with a small amount of soap made specifically for babies.

Once your newborns umbilical cord has fallen off, you can co-bathe together a couple times a week. You still want to avoid taking too many baby baths because this can dry out your babys sensitive skin.

Once your baby is about six weeks, you can bathe together a little more often if you want.

Some parents will stick with baths 2-3 times a week, some will bathe every other day, and some do baths with soap one day and a water-only bath the next day to avoid drying out babys skin.

Now that our baby is 12 months old, we do bath time as needed.

Because hes busier during the day, he needs a bath a few evenings a week to wash up from a busy day playing outside.

He also has a tendency to pee through his diaper a few nights a week, so sometimes he takes a morning shower with me instead. We just try to keep an eye on his skin and avoid using soap more than once every couple of days.

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How Often Does A Newborn Need A Bath

Growing up, you may have heard that babies and children must be bathed daily for optimum cleanliness. However, this isnt the case. Especially with a newborn, bathing daily can actually dry the skin, and irritate it.

Additionally, most newborns do not get very dirty, so its not necessary to fully immerse them in a bath each day or night. You can spot clean any areas of concern in between baths.

For these reasons, most doctors recommend only bathing your newborn baby a few days per week.

AAP recommends bathing your baby no more than three days per week. Of course, even that is not a hard and fast rule.

If you want to bathe your baby more often, thats fine, and if you only bathe your baby one or two days per week , thats fine too!

As your baby gets older and ventures into the toddler years, they are going to get dirtier, because they will be exploring everything and playing outside. Your bathing frequency will likely naturally increase during this time.

Check The Water Temperature

Your baby is much more sensitive to water temperature than you are.

You want the temperature to be about the same as your body temp or just a little warmer.

You can test this by touching the water with the inside of your wrist or by putting a thermometer in the water so you know exactly how warm it is.

If it's too hot, your baby can easily overheat or burn her skin. If the water is too cold, your baby will probably be crankier and is more likely to shiver and get too chilly. 

Take a few minutes to test out the water temperature before stepping into the tub with your baby and things will go much more smoothly.

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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.

How To Shower A Newborn Baby At Home

Ages & Stages

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Bathing your baby is an experience many parents treasure. Its a great time to bond, distraction-free, as your tiny new family member enjoys the sensation of warm water on their skin. Yet this common parenting ritual often comes with questions, and sometimes anxiety, about when and how to do it well.

Here are some frequently asked questions from parents about topics related to baby bath timing, frequency, safety, and more.

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Putting Baby In The Bath

To put your baby in the bath safely:

• lower them into the water on their back
• support their head, shoulders and back with both hands

If you use your bath youll need to lean over your baby, which isnt very comfortable. Usually its easier to use a basin or a small baby bath on the floor. When theyre bigger and youre feeling more confident, you could try a slightly deeper bath.

Baby Shower Etiquette: Rules For Hosts And Guests

Baby showers are a time to celebrate the little one on the way and give special gifts to the mom-to-be. But whether youre hosting a baby shower, attending, or are the expecting mom, you probably have baby shower etiquette questions.

No matter your role at the upcoming shower, the Newton Baby experts are here to answer your questions. Well cover basic etiquette rules for the host or hostess, the mom-to-be, and the guest.

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How Frequently To Bathe Newborns

The AAP recommends bathing your infant three times a week until their first birthday. Obviously there are unique messes that babies can find themselves in as they get older and more mobile that may require an extra bath from time to time, says Dr. Grant. But in general, this rule is sufficient as long as the diaper area is cleaned appropriately at each diaper change.

What Kind Of Entertainment Will There Be

The entertainment is another important part of the event. You will want to make sure that there is something for everyone to do. Games are always a popular choice, but you can also consider other activities such as a photo booth or a dancefloor. It is also a good idea to have some kind of activity for the kids if there will be any in attendance.

Baby showers are a great way to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. By following these tips, you can be sure that your event is one that the mother-to-be will always remember.

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How To Shower With A Newborn At Home

It’s probably easiest to shower when your newborn is sleeping. Try to get in the shower as soon as they’re fully asleep, so you don’t risk being stuck with shampoo in your hair when they wake up and start crying.

Before you hop in the shower, make sure your baby is in a safe sleeping place, like a crib or bassinet with a firm mattress and no extra items . Leave the bathroom door open so you can hear if they wake up, or bring the baby monitor into the bathroom with you.

If your baby is awake and you want to squeeze in a quick shower, choose a time when they’ve been recently fed, have a clean diaper, and will be less likely to need you for a few minutes.

Bring the baby rocker or bouncer into the bathroom with you. Fasten your baby in securely, and you can easily keep an eye on them while you shower. They might even enjoy the warmth and soothing sounds of the shower. Just make sure to put the rocker or bouncer on the floor to avoid any falls. And keep a shower mat or pad on the bathroom floor so you don’t slip or fall when exiting the shower.

Another good way to shower with a newborn at home is to ask someone else to watch your baby while you’re showering. Wait until your partner is home, or have a trusted friend or family member come over for a short time to sit with and care for the baby. Having someone else take over baby duties can help you relax and get a little extra time for yourself.

How To Safely Bathe And Shower With Your Baby

Once your babys umbilical cord falls off, you can then safely shower with your baby. If they are newborns, you may be wondering how to shower with a 2-month-old baby. The best way to shower with a small baby is to use a shower sling for the baby.

This lightweight shower sling for the baby is super affordable and useful to shower with the baby safely. This sling is made up of material similar to bathing suits, so it dries very quickly. You can also use it at the beach or in the pool.

If you dont want to wear your baby while bathing baby in the shower, you can use a baby shower chair instead. You can place the baby shower chair in the shower for the baby to sit in while you wash yourself and then them.

These baby shower chairs are great if you have a large shower floor. Always make sure the spray is not directly hitting the baby. You want to work quickly when they are sitting in the shower chair so that they dont get too cold.

Infants can get cold very easily, especially newborns, because they have not mastered controlling their own body temperature. Please dont get them wet until you are ready to wash them.

When showering with my baby, I would keep them covered with a large washcloth in their shower chair until I was done washing myself. Then I would wash them while they were still in their chair and pick them up to rinse off.

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How To Give Your Baby A Bath

Get everything ready before you start your babyâs 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: