Personalized Baby Photo Album
Is there any new parent who doesnt have a camera roll full of baby pictures? Give proud parents a place to put hard copies of their favorite snapshots. The laser-engraved wooden album, complete with space for 40 4-by-6-inch photos and captions, makes a fantastic coffee table book for right now and an even better keepsake for later.
How Much Will Throwing A Baby Shower Cost Overall
Baby shower costs do add up. A few of our MFM mums shared that their baby showers totalled around £200.
However, you can throw one for even less if you:
- print out invites from online
- use minimal decorations
- keep your guest list low
- play games that dont require expensive prizes
- ask everyone to chip in with food, or make/buy nibbles you know what cost much
- got a baker in the family? Ask for a cake, instead of a gift
- serve food on your existing china, or pick up paper plates/platters at the pound shop.
There are many ways to cut costs when throwing a baby shower. It neednt cost much at all, says Alexandra.
You can buy a couple of banners, and do the rest yourself. Its easy enough to print out invitations, add a little decoration and send them off.
Cleaning Your Baby Between Baths
Just as you’d still apply deodorant when forgoing your own shower, certain baby parts need attention daily whether they’re getting a full-on bath or not.
“Be sure that you’re cleaning the diaper area well, especially following stool or ‘poopy’ diapers, in between skin folds,” Dr. Grant advises. For baby boys, gently retract the foreskin to clean the area underneath. For girls, the area around the vagina has similar folds that should be cleaned well.
Don’t skimp on the lotion, either. “Daily application can help prevent eczema outbreaks, so this might be a useful replacement for bathtime in the bedtime routine,” says Dr. Grant. “This is especially important for babies who have already shown signs of eczema or have siblings or parents with eczema.”
Also Check: How To Help Newborn With Hiccups
What About My Older Child
Toddlers and preschoolers live life like its their job to get dirty. Surely you need to bathe them every day, right? Maybe not, according to Connecticut-based pediatric dermatologist Dr. Brittany Craiglow.
Bathing should increase in frequency as children age, but this doesnt mean that a daily bath is always necessary, she said. It is perfectly fine to spot clean when kids get messy with paint or markers, for instance. Break out the wipes or the wet wash-cloth to clean obvious messes and diaper areas, but save the soap for days when toddlers or preschoolers do what they do best: If they truly get dirty such as from playing in the mud then a bath is a better option.
There are other exceptions to the no-soap rule. Kids also should have a bath after being outdoors wearing sunscreen and/or bug spray, swimming or sweating, Dr. Craiglow said. Soap should be used in these scenarios, but for routine bathing stick to using it only on feet and diaper areas, particularly if kids are prone to dry skin.
When To Give Babys First Bath
It used to be the norm at hospitals to whisk newborns away right after birth for a bath. Not anymore. Recommendations have shifted in favor of waiting at least a few hours, if not longer, for babys first bath .
Research indicates that there may be significant physical and emotional benefits to delaying that initial newborn bath. Since young babies are especially sensitive to cold, it can decrease cold stress, says Katherine Williamson, MD, a pediatrician at Childrens Hospital of Orange County in Orange, California. Cold-induced stress can cause the body to work to keep itself warm, which can cause blood sugar levels to drop, she explains, citing studies that show delaying babys first bath decreases rates of hypothermia and hypoglycemia. Plus, babies are born with a waxy, cheese-like coating on their skin, called the vernix, which you dont want to wash off, Williamson says, since it helps retain heat and can serve as an additional barrier to infections. In addition, a 2013 study found that delaying babys first bath in the hospital until at least 12 hours after birth led to an increased breastfeeding success rate, since mom can nurse more quickly and have more time for skin-to-skin bonding, Williamson adds.
Also Check: How To Relieve Gas In Breastfed Newborns
Best Time Of Day For A Bath
Similar to the question of how often to bathe your baby, what time of day to bathe your baby is really up to you!
Many families adopt the bath before bed routine, as baths can help your child relax before bedtime, and can become part of a routine that signals to them that sleep is coming.
Evening is also when parents usually have the time to dedicate to bathing their baby. However, if you prefer bathing your baby in the morning or during the day, thats perfectly OK.
When considering what time of day to bathe your baby, also consider when you are going to be most alert. Bathing babies, and especially newborns, takes good hand-eye coordination, patience, and must involve vigilance on the part of the parent.
If you think you will be distracted with other responsibilities, or with your other children, choose another time to bathe your baby.
Tips For Safely Bathing Your Newborn
Besides keeping your baby happy and getting them clean, safety should be a top concern when it comes to bathing your baby. Unfortunately, drowning is something all parents of newborns need to be aware of.
As the AAP notes, ost child drownings inside the home occur in bathtubs, and more than half of bathtub deaths involve children under 1 year of age. These are sobering statistics, but they are not meant to scare you instead, they are reminders to take safety very seriously when it comes to bathing your baby.
Here are some other safety recommendations to keep in mind:
Don’t Miss: How Many Hours Of Sleep Should A Newborn Get
Use The Football Hold
Especially before Penellope had full head control, the football hold was what allowed me to wash her in quadrants. Id hold her with her head in my hand, her body down my forearm, and one leg on either side of my elbow. Now that shes gotten bigger, I do a modified version of this because my forearms arent long enough.
I Shower My Baby Heres How
Disclosure: Thank you so much for your interest in my work. This space is a place where I share my honest thoughts, recommendations, and joy for life. Im honored youve joined me. Some of these recommendations come in the form of affiliate links through my Amazon Associate account. This means, at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission on any qualifying purchase. Your support means the world.
Read Also: When Can A Newborn Get A Bath
When To Bathe A Newborn For The First Time
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , newborn babies should get their first bath about 24 hours after birth. The delay might decrease the risk of hypothermia and hypoglycemia, contribute to breastfeeding success, and moisturize the skin. Stick with sponge baths until after their umbilical cord stump falls offusually within a couple weeks of birth. You must also rely on sponge baths until circumcision incisions heal.
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.
Recommended Reading: How Is A Newborn Supposed To Sleep
Bathe Your Baby 1 To 3 Times A Week
After that, pediatricians recommend no more than three times a week for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
“One to two times may be fine as well,” says Dr. Rob Darzynkiewicz, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Hazel Health. “This will help make sure your baby stays clean. Doing it more than that can dry out the skin, which is very sensitive.”
Over bathing can actually decrease the bacteria that naturally occur on your baby’s skin. This can not only cause dry and irritated skin but in some rare cases, it can cause an infection. But not bathing your baby enough also has consequences.
Bathing your newborn less often than once a week could result in rashes between the folds of the baby’s skin or in their diaper, Darzynkiewicz says.
So stick with the goldilocks range of one to three times a week.
Prep The Landing Zone
Before I bring Penellope into the bathroom, I always prep her landing zone the space on the floor where I will place her before and after the shower. I put the heat pad on top of a bathmat and then top it with a towel.
NOTE: When she was still small enough for the DockATot, I used to put the heatpad in the DockATot and then a towel over that.
Recommended Reading: How To Care For A Newborn Boy
When Can I Take My Newborn Out In Public
When is it OK to take a newborn to public places? What about letting other people near my baby? I’m worried about infections. Nancy
There are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. Some doctors recommend that parents wait until their baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places .
If the weather is nice, you should feel free to take your baby outside whenever you feel up to it you both would both probably enjoy a stroll outside and some fresh air! Just be sure your baby is dressed for the weather.
Note: During the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Its best to limit visitors, indoors and outside. A newborn’s immune system is still developing and might not be able to fight off infections, including the coronavirus . At home, limit visitors to immediate family.
- To help protect your baby, everyone in your household who can get a COVID-19 vaccine should do so.
- Ask anyone who holds, touches, or feeds your baby to wash their hands first. You may also want them to wear a mask, especially if they are not vaccinated. Do not put a mask on your baby or other children younger than 2 years old.
- When you are out and about, avoid crowds and keep at least 6 feet from other people.
Also, make sure your baby’s vaccines are up to date. Your doctor may advise you to take extra precautions if your child was born early or has a condition that affects the immune system, like HIV.
How To Throw A Baby Shower
Baby showers can be playful and fun, or relaxed and elegant. It really depends on what mom wants and what shes feeling up to. Even though mom doesnt usually plan her own baby shower, its always good to ask for her thoughts on the activities that are being planned.
These are some of the most important things to keep in mind while planning a baby shower:
Don’t Miss: How To Know If Newborn Has Acid Reflux
Where Should You Host A Baby Shower
Baby showers are often held at someone’s home, but other venue options include restaurants, country clubs, hotels and event spaces. You can also host a baby shower outdoors in a park or at the beach. Pick a place where you can fully enjoy the event.
If your baby shower is virtual, be sure that wherever you join in from has a strong WiFi signal so you don’t lose the call and miss out on any moments.
Is It Safe To Shower With Your Baby
Without the proper tools, its not the safest option, and here are some reasons why:
Youre slippery. Babys slippery. The floor is slippery. In other words, theres a greater fall risk in the shower.
Depending on the pressure of the water, a shower can be quite shocking. Water hitting babys body can cause a struggle, which is not what you want with an increased fall risk.
Typical shower gels and shampoos that you use on yourself may hurt babys sensitive eyes or delicate skin.
And just using these items in the first place without planning ahead of time to use a sling or some other carrier for baby necessitates a one-handed baby hold, which isnt safe, either.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Reflux In Newborns
How To Give Your Baby A Bath
Get everything ready before you start your baby’s 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:
Line a sink or baby bathtub with a towel, and fill it about 2 inches full of warm water âtest it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist to make sure itâs not too hot
While supporting your babyâs head with your non-dominant hand, use your other hand to guide him into the water feet first. Youâll want to do this swiftly so he doesnât get cold, and youâll want to make sure his head and most of his body are above the water level
Wash his body from top to bottom with clear water, and, if you prefer, a mild baby soap. Keep him warm by pouring warm water over his body using a cup. Use a soft cloth to wash his face
If he has hair, itâs enough to shampoo once or twice a week. When you do, massage a drop of mild baby shampoo into his scalp, even the soft spots of his head. Be careful not to get any soapsuds or shampoo in his eyesâcup your hands over his forehead when rinsing his head. If some soap or shampoo does get into his eyes, go ahead and wipe them using a cloth dampened with clear water.