Giving Your Baby A Bath After Circumcision
However, for toddlers, normal quiet activities such as going outside, walking and climbing stairs should always be supervised. They should also be kept as far away as possible from rough play and straddle toys put out of sight for the first week since they can cause oozing from the incision, slowing down the healing process. Proper care can greatly reduce the risk of any complications, which is why you need to consider your baby’s healing a very critical part of his life after the circumcision. The care process is fairly simple. It can take on average seven to ten days for your baby to completely heal from the procedure but for some, this period could be shorter. After all, each baby is designed in a different yet unique way. The response to the treatment will vary form one infant to the other. Outlined below are some useful tips for circumcision care after your baby’s surgery.
What Is A Sponge Bath And How Does It Compare With Other Types Of Baths
Sponge baths are a great option when your baby isnt ready for a regular tub filled with warm water and shiny bubbles.
During a sponge bath, just like during a regular bath, you give your baby an all-over wash and rinse. But there are two differences:
- Your baby lies on a towel instead of in a tub.
- You wash and rinse one section of their body at a time.
Hes Fussy After The Circumcision Is This Normal
Yes. Its normal for the newborn to cry, especially in the first 24 hours after the procedure. This is a big day for him. Some babies might have a change in feeding and/or sleeping patterns, while others may just be overall fussier. This is OK.
You can give him infant over-the-counter acetaminophen every four to six hours as needed for pain. In our clinic, youll be given instruction on how much medication to administer.
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You Will Need The Following Items To Bathe Your Newborn:
- A baby bathtub or a sink lined with a soft towel or a baby bath sponge
- A soft washcloth or a baby bath sponge
- A soft towel for drying the baby off
- A clean set of clothing for the baby
- A hypoallergenic, fragrance-free baby lotion or oil
- A thermometer to check the water temperature
Its also important to have a safe and secure area to place the baby while you bathe them, such as on a changing table or a towel on the floor so that you can keep one hand on the baby at all times and avoid any accidents.
Can My 2 Week Old Baby Go Outside
According to most pediatric health experts, infants can be taken out in public or outside right away as long as parents follow some basic safety precautions. Thereâs no need to wait until 6 weeks or 2 months of age. Getting out, and in particular, getting outside in nature, is good for parents and babies.
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Do You Use Soap For A Newborn Sponge Bath
Soap is only necessary for very sweaty areas or around the diaper area where cream has accumulated and become tricky to remove. The UK and Australia recommend against using soap for the first month. So use your judgment to decide which will irritate your delicate newborns skin the least: a touch of baby soap might be more gentle than the scrubbing you might need to do to give baby a good clean.
Newborn Sponge Bath Supplies
To be safe, gather all your supplies before you begin. You should never take your hands off your baby while you’re bathing them, or you risk a dangerous accident. Here’s what you need for a newborn sponge bath:
- Two soft washcloths
- A bowl of warm water
- Several cotton balls
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How To Bathe A Newborn
Bathing a newborn may seem daunting at first, but with a little preparation and the right setup, babys first bath can be a stress-free, joyful experience. Yes, baby will likely cry, but it doesnt mean youre doing something wrong.
Dont worry about it so much! advises Mary F., a mom of two. We were so concerned about how to handle our first baby. She was so tiny! So breakable! And then we watched the nurse give our daughter her first bath in the hospital. You would have thought she was washing dishes! That was the moment where we were like, Ohwere not going to break her.
Here, we lay out step by step what you need to doand what you need to knowwhen it comes to bathing a newborn.
Step : Squeeze A Little Water Over Your Newborns Head
You can just wipe the scalp and head with the washcloth but for some reason newborns find the sensation of trickling water over their head very soothing. To do this:
- Hold your baby on her back along the length of your forearm, making sure her body, head and neck are well supported
- Position her head over the sink or bath
- With your free arm, using a washcloth, squeeze some warm water over her head so it drains into the sink/bath
You can also give her scalp a little bit of a massage you may be concerned about touching her soft spot but theres no need underneath its pretty tough.
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How To Bathe Baby In A Bathtub
After your infants umbilical cord falls off, you can bathe them in a baby bathtub. Follow these steps to safely bathe your baby:
Remember to never leave a baby unattended in a tub, even for a second. They can quickly drown, even in a shallow amount of water.
Start With A Sponge Bath
Donât put your baby in the tub for a few weeks after he or she is born. Itâs best to sponge-bathe your infant until the umbilical cord falls off and is completely healed. After that, you can place your baby in the water, making sure to support the head and neck at all times. Your baby doesnât need a bath every day. Most babies do well with 2 or 3 baths per week. You can clean the diaper area more often than this to keep this area clean.
Allow enough time to bathe your baby. You want to enjoy this special time together.
Special inflatable or sponge bathtubs are available, but they arenât necessary. You can simply place a folded towel in the base of the sink or bathtub, making sure to support the babyâs head.
NEVER leave your baby alone in the tub or near water, even to answer the phone or doorbell.
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How To Give A Newborn A Sponge Bath
Article Contents
Young babies dont need a full bathvery often 3 times a week is typically sufficient. They just dont get as dirty as older, crawling babies do, except, of course, in the diaper area. You can keep your baby clean and fresh with a sponge bath. Its also handy for older babies if you are short on time or just have a few sticky or dirty areas. You can do a full sponge bath or a partial bath, depending on the need.
How Warm Should The Water Be For A Newborn Bath
The general advice for a newborn sponge bath temperature is between 98.6 – 103.9°F .
You can certainly use a thermometer if youd prefer, but you can also use your elbow to test the temperature of the newborn sponge bath water, as thats a pretty sensitive part of your skin.
Babys sponge bath water should feel warm, but not hot.
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What Baby Sponge Bath Supplies Do You Need
You dont need much for a newborn sponge bath, although it wont be long before theyre ready for a proper baby bath.
All youll need to sponge bath a newborn is:
- A bowl of warm water
- A towel for baby to lie on during their sponge bath
- A towel to dry baby after each step of their sponge bath
- Two clean sponges or washcloths
- Clean cotton balls
- Clean diapers to change into
- A mild, unperfumed baby-friendly soap
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 donât 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 babyâs 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.
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How Many Times Do You Need To Bathe A Newborn In A Week
Other than the diaper area and around the mouth and chin, newborns dont really get dirty, so daily bathing isnt necessary. Breathe a sigh of relief if youre wondering how to pack all the baby jobs in.
So just like not hurrying your newborns first bath, dont go overboard with routine bathing when it comes to how often to bath baby, 2-3 times a week is plenty.
Be sure to wipe away any spit-up and give those nether regions a good cleanse when changing diapers.
You dont need to bathe baby everyday. However, if you want to, as part of a bedtime routine, you can, as long as you dont use soap every time. Overwashing with soap can dry out and irritate a newborns delicate skin, hence the 2-3 times a week guideline.
Cotton Wool And Supersoft Washcloths
You really cant get softer than cotton wool for sensitive areas such as the eyes and face during the early days and weeks, but for other areas and later on soft baby washcloths, like these 100% cotton muslin washcloths, are the way to go.
Washcloths can be used for all sorts of wiping up predicaments youll find yourself in with a newborn . Fast forward to the toddler years and they make the perfect hand and face cloths.
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Sponge Baths Dont Always Have To Be Unhappy
Butunfortunately, they usually are.
Some babies will never like them no matter what you do,
and thats ok.
But just by trying these three easy steps of gathering everything you need before you begin, keeping them warm during the bath, and washing their hair under a faucet should definitely help your chances of your baby having a happier sponge bath.
Let me know down in the comments if youve found anything else in addition to these steps that helped your baby have a happier sponge bath!
Disclaimer:The content that I share on Purely Postpartum is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I encourage you to always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified health care professional regarding any medical questions or conditions.
About The Author
Leesa Johnson, RN, BSN, RNC-Maternal Newborn Nursing
Hi, Im Leesa! Im a Postpartum Registered Nurse and mom of three from San Diego, California.
Ive worked as a Postpartum Nurse for over eleven years, and prior to that I worked in the Newborn ICU for three years. I also work as a Postpartum Expert Practice Consultant for the California State Board of Registered Nursing.
I started Purely Postpartum because Im passionate about helping new parents and caregivers after childbirth.
Between my professional experience as an RN, and my personal experience as a mom, I have a lot of helpful information to share.
California RN Licence # RN727819
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 the best option 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.
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Step : Wash Babys Lower Body
More gentle wiping, soap as you see fit, around the legs, buttocks and private parts .
Dont forget that cute butt crevice! Another place that can become sore if missed. Either lift baby high up by holding her legs and reach all the way under or hold her over your arm on her front, so you can see exactly what youre doing.
Follow any specific instructions your pediatrician gave you regarding care of the umbilical cord.
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.
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What Is A Sponge Bath
A sponge bath is when you bathe your baby without putting him or her in a tub. During a sponge bath, you lay your baby on a towel and clean him or her with a wet washcloth. You should sponge bathe your baby no more than 2 to 3 times each week. A sponge bath should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
Babys First Bath: When Should It Happen
If you give birth in a hospital, nurses will probably bathe your baby within a few hours of delivery. However, the World Health Organization recommends waiting 24 hours for your newbornâs first bath. WHO claims this delay regulates blood sugar and body temperature, promotes bonding, improves breastfeeding success, and keeps Babyâs skin from drying out.
Your baby wonât be ready for the infant tub until the umbilical cord stump falls off . This usually takes about two weeks or longer. In the meantime, youâll be giving your newborn a sponge bath.
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How Long After Circumcision Can You Give A Baby A Bath
However, for newborns, it is said that they should be given a towel or a sponge bath. Regular bath at an early age is really dangerous for them. Babies are given a sponge bath or towel bath till the umbilical cord comes off.
In a sponge bath, warm water is kept in a basin or a small tub. A soft clean cloth is damped in the warm water, and the body of the baby is cleaned with light hands. One should make sure that water is not too hot or too cold for the baby bath.
What You Need To Know About Your Baby’s Skin:
- Your baby’s skin is sensitive and fragile. You may need to wash your baby only with warm water during the first month after birth. If you do use soap, use only gentle baby soap on areas that are dirty, such as his or her bottom. The soap you use on your baby should not contain any preservatives, alcohol, or perfumes. Ask your baby’s provider what type of soap is best. Wash your baby’s skin gently. Do not rub.
- If your baby was premature, his or her skin may be thinner and more sensitive than other babies. Your premature baby may not need a sponge bath as often because his or her skin may dry out faster. Soap may irritate your baby’s skin.
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Final Words: How Long After Circumcision Can Baby Have A Bath
At this point, you must have learned how long after circumcision a baby can have a bath, so it is essential that if your baby is experiencing any discomfort after the procedure, you may provide a medicine prescribed by your pediatrician to alleviate the pain. Follow the dose instructions on the label of the bottle.
And, remember that sponge bathing with warm water is always recommended during the healing time.