Almost every parent looks forward to the day when a newborn can take a real bath. When your baby is first born, she is unable to have anything but a sponge bath because her umbilical cord hasn't yet dried up and fallen off. Little boys who had a circumcision can't bathe until the circumcision and the umbilical cord are healed. Once your baby is able to have a real bath, there are some benefits you can look forward to as a result of the bath.
Hygeine
As you bathe your baby in a warm water bath, you will get her squeaky clean. Use baby wash and shampoo that are gentle on your baby's skin. Some babies have very sensitive skin that is dried out easily. If your baby has sensitive skin, talk to her doctor to find out if you should use only warm water--no baby wash or shampoo--during bath time. In some cases, you will have to use the baby wash and shampoo only for every other bath or every third bath.
Relaxation
A warm water bath can help your baby to relax. This can be especially helpful if your baby has trouble relaxing before bedtime at night. If you are giving your baby a warm water bath to relax her, keep the lights in the bathroom dim and speak softly to help her relax more. Keep the relaxing atmosphere when you are drying her off and getting her dressed for bed.
Bonding
Because all of your attention must be focused on your baby when you are giving her a warm bath, you can use this time to bond with her. Take your time giving her a bath. Talk to her as you bathe her. You can even use her bath time to help her learn the parts of her body--let her know you are washing her arm or her tummy or her legs. As she grows, you can teach her about water. Pour water next to her and onto her legs and belly.
Warning
When you bathe your baby, use warm water--ideally from 90 to 100 degrees Fareinheight. If the water is too cold, your baby's core temperature may drop, and she is likely to become uncomfortable. If the water is too hot, your baby may get overheated, and the water may scald or burn her skin. Bathing your baby gets her clean and helps her to smell better; however, there are some other effects of bathing your baby in warm water.
