Benefits Of Delaying Your Newborns First Bath
- Temperature regulation
During delivery, your baby experiences a sudden contrast in climate as they enter a dry environment from the fluid-filled amniotic sac. This causes their skin to easily dry out, crack, and peel especially when babies are born further along in the gestation period.
- Prevent dry skin
Your baby will be born with a coating of vernix caseosa on their skin. This creamy, waxy build-up consists mostly of water, lipids, and proteins and promotes better temperature regulation and softer skin after birth.
Frequent bathing results in drier skin at any age. So, to help prevent dry skin, we wait up to 24 hours before wiping off the vernix caseosa. However, if the mother has an infection that could be transmitted to the baby, such as HIV or herpes, we clean the newborn right away.
- Breastfeeding benefits
Studies have shown that delaying babys first bath can also lead to more success with breastfeeding, as it increases skin-to-skin contact between the baby and mother. And by staying warmer longer, babies are less tired and irritated when learning to latch.
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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.
Bathing Your Newborn In A Bath
Youâll still want to give your baby girl or boy a proper bath every few days or so. If you feel a bit nervous about giving your newborn his or her first bath, donât worry. Bathing a slippery, squirming newborn baby can take some practice, but youâll soon get the hang of it.Bath time is also a great time for your partner, a grandparent or other close relative to lend a hand. Delegating bath duties isnât just a fantastic bonding opportunity for the person doing the bathing, it can be an opportunity for Mum to grab a little extra âme timeâ â especially during the whirlwind first few weeks with your newborn.When the time comes, itâs important to be prepared, so make sure the room is warm enough and get everything ready before you start giving your baby a bath:
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Your babyâs bath â this can be a special baby bath or you could use a clean washing-up bowl. A smaller baby bath might help your child feel more secure.
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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 newborn’s first bath. WHO claims this delay regulates blood sugar and body temperature, promotes bonding, improves breastfeeding success, and keeps Baby’s skin from drying out.
Your baby won’t be ready for the infant tub until the umbilical cord stump falls off . This usually takes about two weeks or longer. In the meantime, you’ll be giving your newborn a sponge bath.
Preparing For Babys First Bath
1. The longer you wait for babys first bath, the better.
While many institutions used to bathe babies within an hour or two of birth, many have now changed their policies. The World Health Organization recommends delaying your babys first bath at least 24 hours after birth. If this is not possible due to cultural reasons, bathing should be delayed for at least 6 hours.
There are benefits to delaying baby’s first bath, roughly 24 hours or several days, in order to maintain the smell of baby’s first environment, said Sarah Weinstein, a certified nurse-midwife at Banner – University Medical Center South Campus Multispecialty Services in Tucson, AZ. This is thought to be soothing, and it also allows a more natural transition to the extra-uterine environment.
Newborns dont come out clean and ready to snuggle, but that creamy, white coating, called the vernix, has amazing benefits for baby and helps keep their skin moist. According to the Academy of Pediatrics, the vernix is especially important for preemies, whose skin is highly prone to injury.
2. Sponge baths are best until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off.
Until your babys tiny umbilical cord stump falls off, stick to a sponge or damp cloth bath. There are several reasons for this, but one of the biggest is to prevent infection.
We want to avoid submerging baby in water until this takes place, Weinstein said. This allows for the normal healing process whereby the umbilical cord stump dries and falls off.
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Can I Use Vaseline On Newborn
The good news for parents is that its made from triple-purified petroleum jelly and its hypoallergenic so its suitable for sensitive skin and its non-comedogenic, meaning it wont clog pores either. This makes it a good skin care option for newborns and babies as they move towards the toddler years.
How To Bathe Your Baby: Step
How to Dry a Newborn
Although its not always needed, you can add baby lotion once theyre completely dry. If you choose to moisturize, warm up the lotion in your hands first before rubbing it onto your babys skin.
Lastly, add a fresh diaper and dress your baby in clean clothes of your choosing. Voila! Your baby is clean!
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How Do I Bath My Baby
It helps to be organised before giving your baby a bath. Take time to plan beforehand and be prepared so you can bath your baby safely.
- Use a non-slip bath mat on the floor and in the bath. A towel on the bottom on the bath is a good alternative to help your baby feel secure.
- Fill the bath with warm water. An ideal temperature is around 37-38 degrees Celsius. You can check the temperature of the bath water with your elbow or wrist, it should feel neutral or slightly warm on your skin. You may also choose to use a bath thermometer.
- Run cold water through the tap after filling the bath to avoid the risk of burning.
- Talk gently to your baby as you lower them into the bath.
- Hold your baby securely with one hand, using your free hand to wash your babys skin. Pay particular attention to their skin folds. Use plain water on their face, especially around their eyes and mouth, then use baby wash or soap on their skin and hair.
- Lift your baby gently out of the bath on onto a clean, dry towel. Gently pat their skin dry and make sure you dry inside their creases.
Step by step guide on how to give your newborn a bath.
How To Give A Baby A Traditional Bath
Once the babys umbilical cord stump has fallen off, they can have a traditional bath. The AAD recommends the following method:
thinner skin than adults, a temperature suitable for an adult will be too hot for a baby. To test the temperature of the water, dip an elbow into the water. If the water does not feel cooler or warmer than the elbow, it is likely to be a safe temperature for a baby.
To bathe a baby safely, caregivers can follow this advice from the NCT:
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Setting Up A Newborn Bath: Tips
Heres how to get ready for a newborn bath:
- Take the phone off the hook or turn your phone off while bathing your baby. Youll be less likely to get distracted.
- Make sure you have everything you need within reach for example, towel, washcloth, cream or ointment, clean clothes and clean nappy.
- Avoid using soap because this will dry out your babys skin. If needed, use a fragrance-free oil or a gentle non-soap cleanser at the end of the bath.
- Position the bath somewhere stable and at a height where you can comfortably hold your baby.
- Fill the bath with just enough warm water to wash your baby. Use jugs of water to fill the bath if youre planning to bath your baby away from the tap.
- Take off your watch and jewellery and wash your hands.
- Check the water temperature is 37-38°C before you put your baby in the bath. If you dont have a thermometer, use your wrist or elbow to test the temperature it should be comfortably warm, not hot.
- Before bathing your baby in a sink, briefly run cold water through the tap once youve finished filling the bath.
- Dont add extra water while your baby is in the bath.
How Hot Should The Water Be
The water temperature to bathe your baby should be warm, never hot. The ideal temperature is 98.6°F . You can use a bath thermometer to monitor the temperature, or check the water with your wrist or elbow to confirm its warm and not hot.
Also, check different sides of the tub or baby bath to confirm there are no hot spots. If using a tub or basin, turn on the cold water first and then the hot water to fill it.
If you live in a house, you can also adjust the water heater to ensure it doesnt go above 120°F , which can badly scald your babys skin. You likely cant adjust the water heater if you live in an apartment complex or condo.
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How To Bathe A Baby Step By Step
You will need to find a nice warm spot for your baby to take their bath and this might not necessarily be the bathroom for you.
Our warmest and easiest place to bathe the baby was in my bedroom.
It was just much easier as I could have everything that I needed to hand quite easily.
Your babys bath water temperature will need to be around 37-38 degrees, which would be around body temperature.
You can get lots of fancy bath temperature gadgets in the shape of toys or more practical types to help you set the water temperature.
However, if you prefer to be more old school then you can try using your elbow to gauge the temperature.
The elbow area works great as a tester because it is one of the more sensitive areas of the body.
Once your water is set up and you have all your supplies to hand you can begin to bathe your baby.
Your baby is a newborn so you have to remember that they wont have much control over their bodies yet.
As such you will need to make sure that you are fully supporting your babys body using just one hand as you will need the other to bathe them.
The one hand that you are using to support them will need to be placed under their back to support the head and neck.
Gently lower your baby into the bathwater and start by washing your babys face with a flannel.
Make sure you only use plain water at this stage in case you get soap into your babys eyes.
Once you have finished with the face you can then wash the rest of your babys body.
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Is Water Enough For My Babys Bath
For the first month, plain water is recommended for your babys skin5. After this, you should start to use a gentle cleanser, as water doesnt remove the fat-soluble impurities left behind under nappies and clothes. If they remain, they can cause the delicate skin barrier to break down. And hard water alone can actually dry your babys skin11.
A gentle baby specific cleanser like JOHNSONS® TOP-TO-TOE® Wash is recommended to help cleanse effectively because it:
Removes impurities including fats and oils
Provides mild and gentle newborn care
Is suitable for use from day 1
Is formulated to minimise the risk of allergies
Is pH skin neutral
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Learn How Frequently You Should Bathe Your Newborn According To Experts As Well As Tips For Preventing Eczema Outbreaks Between Baths
Bath time with your baby might be part of your nightly ritual, but doctors actually don’t recommend daily baths for babies. Excess exposure to water can zap their skin of moisture and worsen conditions like eczema. Then again, not bathing your baby often enough can also aggravate eczema, plus lead to other infections.
“It’s a delicate balance,” says Scott Grant, M.D., MPH, FAAP, at Detroit Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital of Michigan. But bathing itself is probably not the entire problem: “The use of bath products, including lotions that contain dyes or fragrances, can react with babies’ skin to make eczema worse even if there isn’t a ‘bath,'” says Dr. Grant.
So how often should you bathe a newborn? Read on for the guidelines.
Babys First Bath Tips For Bathing A Newborn
There are a lot of firsts when it comes to a newborn, such as their first feeding and their first diaper change. But one of the firsts that can make some parents a tad bit nervous is the first bath.
The thought of handling a slippery, squirmy little baby can be a bit anxiety provoking. You may also have lots of questions: When should you bathe them for the first time? How often should you bathe them? Where should you bathe themtub or sink? And so on and so forth.
Have no fear! Here are some helpful tips to make bath time lots of fun and stress-free.
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What Do I Need For A Tub Bath
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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.
Baby Bath: Getting Ready
The first bath will be a sponge bath. Pick a warm room with a flat surface, like a bathroom or kitchen counter, a changing table, or a bed. Cover the surface with a thick towel. Make sure the room temperature is at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit, because babies chill easily.
Assemble all the baby bath products you will need:
- Baby bath sponge or clean wash cloth
- Clean blanket or bath towel
- Vaseline and gauze
Important: Never leave your baby alone in a bath — not even for a moment. If you must get to the phone, the stove, or whatever, take baby with you.
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