When Should I Give My Baby A Bath
- You dont need to give your newborn baby a bath in their first few days but you can if you like.
- If youre anxious about bathing your little one, you dont need to put them into a bath until you feel confident about it.
- You may prefer to just wash your little ones face and bottom to begin with. This is sometimes called topping and tailing.
- Choose a bath time when your little one is content and awake. Its better not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when theyre hungry or tired.
- Some babies love bath time to begin with, others dont. You may need to try different ways of bathing your baby and at different times of day, to find out what suits you both.
Pat Dry And Apply Lotion
After youve finished bathing your baby, pat dry and apply a good emollient ointment to lock in moisture and protect the skin, Dr. Nazarian recommends.To moisturize and protect your newborns kissable skin, apply Babo Botanicalss fragrance-free Sensitive Baby Daily Hydra Baby Lotion. This gentle, soft, and non-greasy baby lotion is made for the most sensitive baby skin and formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions. It contains 2% colloidal oatmeal to relieve dry skin as well as ultra moisturizing calendula, chamomile, shea butter, and jojoba oil. And you can feel good about putting it on your babys skin knowing that its clean, EWG Verified, and free of parabens, gluten, phthalates, and petroleum!
Should You Bath Baby In A Sink Or Full Bath
There are sink inserts available to bathe a newborn. This can be a good option if youre traveling or short on space in your home. Follow the bathtub steps above for giving your baby a bath in the sink, but take care that the water coming from the sink faucet isnt too hot.
When your baby is able to sit up on their own , you can use the full bathtub. Fill the tub with only a few inches of water and supervise them at all times, making sure their head and neck stay well above water.
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What Else To Know About Newborn Baby Tub Baths
Bathe baby 2-3 times per week in the baby tub.
- The youngest babies don’t need a daily bath, unless they have eczema.
If baby is upset about the tub bath, don’t worry.
- Transition back to the sponge bath for a few times, then try the baby tub again.
And remember: closely supervise baby at all times when you bathe them — no matter what type of bath you give!
For more essential ways to keep baby safe in the bath — as a newborn and beyond — don’t miss our previous article on bath safety tips.
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Dont Forget To Moisturize
A newborns skin is very thin, which makes it extremely fragile, sensitive, and prone to drying out. If its allowed to dry out, the skin can become irritated and the risk of developing eczema, a condition that causes itchy, scaly, and sometimes painful bumps, increases.
To keep your newborns skin baby smooth, make sure you apply moisturizer on a regular basis. If your LO appears to have normal skin, moisturizing once a day after bathing, especially should be sufficient. If your newborn seems to have dry skin, you should apply lotion a few times a day.
Use a dye-free and fragrance-free lotion. Alternatively, you could use petroleum jelly. Make sure that you apply a liberal amount and that you work it in very well. Concentrate on areas that seem dry, but dont forget to moisturize all of the skin even the areas that dont seem like they may not be dry.
Also, it is important to note that you should make sure that any lotion or petroleum jelly you apply is worked in very well before picking up your baby. The last thing you want is to have slippery hands when you pick up your newborn.
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Removing Stains From Baby Bedding
No article full of baby bedding tips would be complete without some information on stain removal. Babies are messy little things, so itâs likely that bedding will get stained. Donât worry, most can be easily removed with a quick pre-soak in warm water and a bit of gentle detergent. Avoid scrubbing, as this can damage fabric simply dab on the detergent and then pop in your regular wash.
Parenting is a tough job, so donât let washing your babyâs bedding cause any more stress! By using a gentle detergent, and following the itemâs label instructions, youâll be sure to keep your childrenâs fabrics beautifully fresh and clean.
For more information on the ingredients in products mentioned in this tip, visit Whatâs in Unilever Products here.
Originally published
Choose The Right Time
Wipe up wet messes with a damp cloth as soon as possible. To wash the whole seat, youll have to remove it from the car. Unless you have a second seat you can switch in, find a time to clean the car seat when you wont need it for at least 24 hours. Take a picture of the seat and how it fastens into the car before you undo everything that way, itll be easier to put it all back correctly when the seat is clean.
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What To Wash Baby Clothes With
Its highly recommended to use non-bio detergents for babys clothes. Non-bio means they dont contain enzymes that can deposit into the fabrics and potentially irritate your babys sensitive skin. And given a choice, it is best to use liquid detergents rather than powder. Liquid detergents are gentler to fabrics and could help keep your baby clothes looking new for longer.
How To Bathe A Newborn In 10 Simple Steps
At first, bathing your newborn might seem like a big ordeal. After a few weeks, however, giving your baby a bath will be as easy as changing their diaper.
We mentioned this earlier in the article, but its worth repeating: until your babys umbilical cord stump falls off, stick to sponge baths. The steps below are instructions for bathing your newborn once their umbilical cord is gone.
Heres how to bathe a newborn in 10 easy steps!
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When Is The Best Time Of Day To Give Your Baby A Bath
There is no one perfect time to give your baby a bathâitâs your decision. Choose a time when youâre least likely to be interrupted and when your baby is calm.
You may like to give your baby a bath in the daytime because sheâll naturally be more alert. Or, you may give your baby a bath at nighttime as part of her bedtime routine.
If you plan to give your baby a bath after feeding her, wait a while to ensure her tummy has had a chance to settle.
Keep The Water Level Low
Once a newborns umbilical stump has completely healed and is time to make the transition into having an actual bath, make sure that you keep the water level low. Whether youre bathing your little one in the kitchen sink, a baby bathtub, or in a regular bathtub, there is no need to fill the vessel up with water.
Newborns dont have to be fully submerged in water. In fact, its safer for them if they arent. Heaven forbid something happens and your little one slips and falls into the water.
Theyre wriggly and super slipper when theyre wet. A newborn can drown in just one inch of water! So, make sure that you keep the water level low to avoid a tragedy.
To get your LO wet, use a cup to pour the water over her head and body. Also, dont leave the water running. The temperature of water flowing out of a faucet can change drastically and without notice. One second, it might feel like its the perfect temperature, and the next it could be scalding and your little one could sustain a serious burn.
When it comes to bathing a baby, safety is always the first priority.
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Bath Time Basics For Washing Newborns
Lather And Rinse Carefully
As were sure you already know, babies have extremely soft, delicate skin. That means you need to be very gentle when lathering on cleansing products and shampoos.
You may choose to use an ultra-soft washcloth, or you can simply use your hands. If you prefer to use your hands, remove any rings, bracelets, or watches youre wearing.
After lathering, use a small plastic cup to rinse your baby off. Just scoop up a cup-full of water and gently pour it over a soapy area of your babys body. Be careful so that no soapy water gets in your loved ones eyes or nose!
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Why You Should Sponge Bathe Your Newborn
Experts recommend sponge baths for newborn babies whose umbilical cord stumps have not yet fallen off. Sponge baths are also a good option for boys who haven’t fully healed from circumcision. Keep in mind that daily baths aren’t necessary, and could dry out his delicate skin. Bathing three times a week will be just fine until your baby is a year old.
Have All The Supplies Ready
Whether its a diaper change, a sponge bath, or a bath in the sink, before you start cleaning your newborn, it is imperative that you have all of the supplies that you will need ready and placed within easy reach.
A general list of things you will need to have ready before you start your cleaning regiment include: diaper, powder, washcloths, towels, a basin of warm water, baby soap, lotion or petroleum jelly, an infant brush, a clean change of clothing, a nail file or baby nail clippers , and a ball syringe
You should make sure that all supplies are in arms reach. Also, ensure that you are in a safe and secure environment. And, always make sure that you have at least one hand on your newborn the entire time. Your little one may not be able to roll over yet, but he can be quite squirmy. If he is left unattended even for a split second, there is a chance that he could fall off of whatever surface you are working on and sustain a very serious injury. If you are unsure of yourself or unsteady, you might want to enlist the help of another person.
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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.
How Often Do Babies Need Baths
In your babys first year, they may only need about three baths a week. This is usually frequent enough if you wash the diaper area thoroughly every time you change your baby.
Bathing once a day or every other day is also OK, but any more frequently than that could dry out your babys skin. Thats especially the case if you use soap or other baby wash.
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Getting Ready For A Baby Tub Bath
Select a plastic baby tub that meets current safety standards.
- It should have a sloped design and textured surfaces, designed to keep baby from slipping.
- An included sling or cushion, that can keep baby from sliding, may also help.
Keep the bathroom at a comfortable 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so baby won’t lose body heat too quickly.
- You can also have a warm washcloth ready to help keep baby’s exposed tummy warm while in the bath.
Before placing baby in the tub, fill the baby tub with about 2 inches of warm water. This should be just enough to cover the bottom of their body.
- Never fill the tub with baby inside!
The water should be comfortably warm — not hot, so it doesn’t burn baby
- Make sure the water isn’t too hot by testing it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist.
Gather all your supplies, and set them up within arm’s reach.
- You’ll need the same supplies you used for the sponge bath, minus the blanket and extra towel.
- Grab a cup to rinse off baby, instead of the bowl.
Use The Right Laundry Detergent
Wondering which baby washing liquid to use? Finding the right detergent for your little ones delicate skin is a must.
That’s why we love Fairy Non Bio. It’s been voted the number one laundry brand for sensitive skin* AND been awarded the Skin Health Alliance seal of approval.
It’s super easy to use if youre washing clothes by hand. Simply add the recommended amount of Fairy Non Bio Washing Liquid for Sensitive Skin or Fairy Non Bio Washing Gel to the water for a gentle clean. Both work at 30 degrees so no need to hand wash in hot temperatures. Just swish the water with your hand to make sure the detergent has fully dissolved.
Found a particularly stubborn stain like sweet potato or breastmilk on your babys clothes? Use Fairy Non Bio Stain Remover Powder first, then hand wash your babys clothes as normal.
*Online panel of 3,433 women among which Fairy Non Bio detergent/softener was voted most often as the #1 detergent and fabric softener for sensitive skin.
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