A newborn baby’s skin is very soft and it is difficult to firmly hold the naked baby. First-time moms find it quite hard to give the first bath to their baby without any help. They feel worried because the baby can slip from their hands. But after giving a bath to the baby for few times they become a pro at it.
So, if you have a newborn and you are wondering how and when you should give a bath to your baby then you will find your answers in this article.
When to give the first bath to the baby?
Babies come from a warm environment of your womb, they need around 24-48 hours to regulate their body temperature and adjust to the sudden change of environment.
It is recommended by WHO (world health organization) that you should wait at least 24 hours before giving a bath to the baby.
Benefits of bath time for babies:
Giving a bath to the baby has many benefits apart from a simple cleaning. Few benefits are given below:
- Bathtime helps in developing a special bond with the baby.
- Bath comforts and soothes a fussy baby
- There is a lot of sensory play involved in bath time which helps in enhancing the baby’s fine motor skills.
- Giving a bath to the baby also induces sleep which is why it is a part of the bedtime routine for most parents.
Things required while giving a bath to the baby:
Few things are usually required while giving a bath to the baby. Here is a list of things that are required for a bath:
- A bathtub for baby
- Soft baby towel
- A sponge
- A cleansing gel specifically made for a baby’s delicate skin.
- A shampoo for the tiny hair of the baby.
- Diapers and clothes
- A washcloth
Basic steps for giving a bath to the baby:
Now let’s go through the basic steps for giving a bath to the baby:
- Gather all the required things: To get started, make sure you have all the required things near you. Think about all the possible things that you might require during the bath, keep all of them at an arms distance.
- Fill the baby’s bathtub with water: To avoid putting the baby in too hot or too cold water you should check the temperature of the water with a digital thermometer. The temperature of the water should be around the normal temperature of a human body. Fill the bathtub with water up to 2 to 3 inches.
- Put the baby in the tub: You need to be very gentle and hold the baby firmly. Put baby’s feet in the bath and then slowly slide the baby in the bath.
- Start with the face of the baby: Always wash the baby’s face first before the water gets too soapy because you don’t want the soap to go into the baby’s eyes.
- Gently clean the body: Washing a baby’s body is easier than cleaning his head and face. Take the cleansing gel in your hands and gently massage it on the baby’s body, then rinse the body.
- Pat dry: Once the bath is finished, pat dry the baby and moisturize his whole body. Put the diaper and clothes on the baby. The baby is ready for the day.
Final words:
It is obvious for parents to get worried about giving a bath to their newborn because there is a risk that the baby can fall or slip through their hands. But with a lot of care, you can become successful in giving a bath to the baby by following all the steps described by us.