Between spit-up, sweat, drool, food and human contact, your little baby can get a little grimy. Regular bathing helps keep your baby clean. Additionally, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital explains that bath time fosters parent-baby bonding, and it gives you a chance to inspect your child’s body for any injuries or rashes. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, a bath can also soothe and relax a crying baby.
Be Prepared
Gather everything you need for the bath before you put the baby in the water, Consumer Reports suggests. That way, you can easily reach the soap or towel without abandoning your child or carrying around a wet, naked baby. Children’s Hospital Boston notes that you will need a washcloth, non-irritating soap and non-irritating shampoo during the bath; immediately after the bath, you will need a towel, a diaper and a clean change of clothes for the baby.
Prevent Drowning
Only use a few inches of water, recommends MayoClinic.com. This helps minimize the dangers of drowning and water inhalation; even if your baby slips, the water won’t cover her whole head. The March of Dimes’ Pregnancy and Newborn Education Center adds that putting a towel on the bottom of the tub will help prevent slipping. Additionally, the Center warns, never leave your baby in the bath unattended; watch her constantly, and stay right by the tub.
Wait Until Baby Is Ready
Don’t give your baby a bath in the tub until he is old enough. Wait until his umbilical cord falls off and his belly button heals, directs KidsHealth. If your male child was circumcised, wait until his genitals fully heal as well. These healing processes can take up to four weeks, KidsHealth explains; until then, only give your baby sponge baths.
Only Bathe When Needed
Don’t wash your baby more than a few times a week, recommends Healthy Children, a site published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Otherwise, your baby’s skin could become too dry, because both soap and evaporation remove moisture from the skin. After all, Consumer Reports explains, your baby doesn’t run around outside yet; at this age, children tend to stay relatively clean. To keep your baby clean between baths, change your baby’s diaper promptly and wash his face thoroughly after meals.
Regulate Water and Room Temperature
Use warm, not hot, water to fill the bath. The water temperature should never exceed 120 F, MayoClinic.com notes; preferably, Children’s Hospital Boston clarifies, the water should hover between 90 F and 100 F. Use the inside of your wrist to test the water before putting your baby in the tub; the water should feel comfortable. To keep your baby warm while in the tub, keep the room warm and pour the bath water over your baby throughout the bathing process.
