How Often Should You Bathe A Newborn Baby
Cleanliness is indeed important when theres a new baby in the household and involves lots of diaper changes and washing your hands. But what about bathing? How often should you bathe a newborn baby?
Many parents think that washing their baby every day is essential to their good health and hygiene, but the reality is you dont have to turn on the bathwater every day. For answers to your bathtime questions and tips on getting that slippery, wriggly newborn clean, keep reading! Babo Botanicals is here to help! Before we talk about how often you should bathe a newborn, lets go over another important topic for parents of brand-new babies: sponge baths.
How To Bathe A Newborn: 10 Simple Steps
If youve recently given birth to your first child, congratulations! The first few months of your babys life are an amazing time. But you might be wondering about how to bathe your newborn.
Not to worry! Its actually an easy process and, once you get the hang of it, youll be a baby-bath expert in no time. Keep reading to find out how to bathe a newborn in 10 simple steps.
How To Bathe My Baby
Many parents worry about how to bathe their babies. The easiest way is to set up a stand in the bathtub put your child in the tub and use the shower hose to rinse him off. When cleaning a very young child, you dont need to take a full bath- just wash certain parts of his body.
From 3 months on, you may need to do a full bath. If your baby is resistant to bathing, try putting him in the tub with some toys while he is still young. Play along and have fun! Once your child gets used to the water, you can start washing him from head to toe.
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Gently Place Your Newborn In The Bath
With one hand supporting the back of your babys head and the other under their bum, gently lower your baby into the bathtub. Dont let them dive in head first! Let your little one dip their toes in first.
Expert tip: It may also be helpful to place a towel at the bottom of the bathtub, which makes it feel softer and prevents your baby from sliding around too much.
Bathing Your Baby In The Sink
Giving your baby a bath in the kitchen sink is another option. For this type of bath, you would use a sink insert instead of a traditional baby tub that you place in your bathtub.
Sink inserts are recommended for infants up to six months of age and sit inside your sink to give your baby a nice cushion against the hard, cold sides. This way, your newborn is comfortable for their bath and can relax!
These are also a great option if youre running low on space or are traveling. Whats more, giving your baby a bath in the sink is better for your back! You can stand up while giving your baby a bath, instead of having to lean over the bathtub.
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:
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How We Wrote This Article
The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
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.
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How To Bathe A Newborn Baby
23 November, 2020
If you are reading this, it is because you have asked yourself how to bathe a newborn baby. We all like to feel clean, but it is very different the way we bathe adults than the right way to clean a baby with a few days old. If you have any doubts about how to live this beautiful moment with your child, we will be your best guide.
You have to bathe the baby today, honey.
-No you do.
-Actually, you do!
Most likely, its your turn to bathe your little one today. If you ask yourself: How should I bathe my newborn baby? Next, we will present some tips that you can not miss before cleaning your little one.
What Temperature Should The Water Be
The water temperature should be warm, not hot while bathing your infant. The optimum temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit . To check the temperature, use a bath thermometer or feel the water with your wrist or elbow to make sure its warm, not hot.
Also, make sure the baby bath or the tub has no hot patches on the sides. If youre filling a basin or tub, start with cold water and then hot water.
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Your Newborn Baby And Sponge Baths
With a fresh-out-of-the-womb baby in your house, you might feel at a loss for what to do! When it comes to bath time, your babys first few baths should be sponge baths. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, only give your newborn sponge baths until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off, which usually happens by about one or two weeks of ageSee the baby’s doctor if the cord has not dried up and fallen off by the time the baby is two months old.So, what exactly does a sponge bath involve? Its easier than you might think!Simply fill a bowl with warm water, grab a baby washcloth, and wrap your naked baby in a cozy bath towel. Lay them on a flat surface. The American Academy of Pediatrics says, Start washing the face first. Use the dampened cloth to wash her face, being careful not to get water into her eyes or mouth. Then, dip it in the basin of water before washing the rest of her body and, finally, the diaper area.To help your newborn stay warm during their sponge bath, keep them wrapped in the towel and only uncover the part of their tiny body that youre washing.When your babys umbilical cord has healed, you can put them in the water to get them clean, but be prepared they might not like it at first!
Where To Bath Your Baby
You can bath your baby in a baby bath until theyre too big to fit comfortably. Then it might be easier to bath your baby in the big bath.
You can help babies get used to the big bath by putting the small baby bath into the big bath a few times.
Once your baby is ready for the big bath, you might like to take a bath with your baby .
You can also shower with your baby. Keep your babys face away from the pouring water and make sure the water isnt too hot.
A big bath allows more room for games and toys. Bath toys can be very simple try a plastic cup or a washcloth to start with. Or you could take your baby for swims up and down the bath just support under your babys body and head .
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Baby Bath: Time For A Sponge Bath
Gentle sponge baths are perfect for the first few weeks until the umbilical cord falls off, the circumcision heals, and the navel heals completely.
The basics of bathing a baby:
- First, undress baby — cradling the head with one hand. Leave the diaper on . Wrap baby in a towel, exposing only those areas that you are washing.
- Using a baby bath sponge or wash cloth, cleanse one area at a time. Start behind the ears, then move to the neck, elbows, knees, between fingers and toes. Pay attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck.
- The hair comes toward the end of bath time so baby doesn’t get cold. While newborns don’t have much hair, you can sponge the few wisps that are there. To avoid getting eyes wet, tip the head back just a little. There’s no need for shampoo just use water.
- Now it’s time to remove the diaper and sponge baby’s belly, bottom, and genitals.
- Wash little girls from front to back. If there’s a little vaginal discharge, don’t worry — and don’t try to wipe it all away. If a little boy is uncircumcised, leave the foreskin alone. If circumcised, don’t wash the head of the penis until it’s healed.
- Gently pat baby dry. Rubbing the skin will irritate it.
Bath time is over, and your fresh little baby is ready for a clean diaper and clothes!
Continued
Should You Give Your Kid A Sink Bath Or A Full Bath
To bathe a newborn, sink inserts are available. This is a fantastic choice if youre traveling or have limited room at home. Bath your infant in the sink by following the procedures above, but make sure the water coming from the sink faucet isnt too hot.
You can utilize the whole bathtub after your kid is ready to sit on its own . The tub should only be filled halfway with water and keep an eye on your baby at all times, ensuring that their neck and head remain high above the water.
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How Do You Clean A Newborns Face
With clean fingers, gently separate your baby’s vaginal lips. Use a moist cotton pad, a clean, dampened cloth, or a fragrance-free baby wipe to clean the area from front to back, down the middle. Clean each side within her labia with a fresh damp cloth, moist cotton pad, or fragrance-free baby wipe.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Baby From Birth Through Early Childhood
One of the most common questions new parents ask has recently become the focus of an ongoing social media debate among celebrity parents, including Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, and Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell: How often should I bathe my baby?
Some parents bathe their babies daily as part of a bedtime routine or due to regular baby messes, from extra spit-up to diaper blowouts. But for most families, bathing the baby two to three times a week is plenty after the first couple of weeks of life.
In fact, we recommend delaying your newborns first full bath for at least two weeks. Newborns shed about three layers of skin within their first week, which often surprises new parents. Their skin is still adjusting to the dry air, so its perfectly normal. You can prevent further skin irritation by moisturizing your baby with chemical-free lotion and washing their clothes with a gentle, chemical-free detergent before dressing them.
After that first two-week period, its OK to bathe your baby a couple times a week. You can follow this schedule through your childs elementary school years. Of course, you should modify the bath schedule based on your babys skin health and your familys lifestyle.
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Drying And Dressing Your Newborn After A Bath: Steps
Heres how to take your newborn out of the bath, ready for drying and dressing:
Bathing your baby takes practice, so try to relax and take your time. You might like to start by bathing your baby when someone else is around to help. If youre worried about losing your grip on your baby, you can make the bath less slippery by lining it with a clean cloth nappy or towel.
Keep Your Baby Feeling Clean And Smelling Sweet
Lets review. How often should you bathe your newborn? Not often! With a bath two or three times a week, theyll stay clean and smell just like their sweet baby self! More frequent baths could dry out their delicate skin. Follow the steps and tips listed above to get your newborn clean and keep them safe, happy, and warm in the tub.
And dont forget to use the right products for their sensitive skin: Sensitive Newborn Foam Baby Wash or Moisturizing Baby Shampoo & Wash and 3-in-1 Sensitive Baby Face, Hands & Body Wipes for quick cleanup in-between baths. Happy bathing!
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Your Babys First Bath Will Be At The Hospital
Your baby will be given their first bath at the hospital, where the stump of their umbilical cord will also be cleaned. Most hospitals will have someone show you how to bathe your baby. Take advantage of their expertise. Nurses at the hospital will also be able to familiarize you with other aspects like how to nurse, burp, hold, or change your baby.1