Giving Your Newborn Baby a Bath! Tips and Care.

Bathing a newborn is incredibly daunting task for most new parents. Bathing your newborn can seem incredibly daunting. The idea of taking your small, vulnerable naked fragile package and making them slippery and hard to hold can send a shiver down your spine. Here are some tips to make the process easier. 

Newborns do not need to be bathed every day. If you are changing the baby as soon as the diaper is soiled and wiping off the baby’s hands and face each time you change his diaper, your baby only needs a bath two or three times a week. Bathing your baby more often can dry out his skin. After your baby starts crawling around and getting into things, he should be bathed every day.

You should not give the baby a tub bath at all until the umbilical cord falls off. The baby should be given sponge baths until then. After the cord has fallen off, you may begin tub baths.

Here's how to give a sponge bath:

1. Make sure the room is warm. Babies lose heat easily. 

2. Place a soft towel on top of the changing table to cushion the baby and catch any drips. If you do not have a changing table you can use a firm bed or even the floor if it is warm enough. 

3. Get a bowl of warm water, a wash cloth, a towel to wrap him in when done, baby shampoo, a clean diaper and clean clothes. 

4. After you have everything ready, undress the baby and place him on the changing table. Use the safety strap. 

5. Use the extra towel to cover up the parts of the baby you is not washing to ensure that he stays warm. 

6. Wet the washcloth with water. You may want to add a small amount of baby cleanser to the water if your baby is especially dirty. 

7. Wash the baby, paying close attention to the diaper area, the hands, the neck, and all his creases. 

8. Wash his hair, supporting his neck with your other hand. Use only a drop of shampoo, rinse with the washcloth.

After the umbilical cord has fallen off and the surrounding area has healed you can move on to tub baths. Babies need special tubs specifically designed for newborns. They should not be given a bath in the family tub until they are older. If your baby is tiny, you may be able to use the kitchen sink if it is well scrubbed and rinsed beforehand and it is lined with a towel. 

Here's how to bath a newborn in the tub:

1. Gather all your supplies. Tub, wash cloth, a towel to wrap him in when done, baby shampoo, a cup to rinse with, a clean diaper and clean clothes. 

Support Neck Area

2. Fill the tub with a few inches of warm water. You should have your water heater set to a temperature that is below 120^o F. Check the water with your hand before putting your baby in to prevent scalding your baby. 

3. Undress your baby and put him in the tub. 

4. Wet the washcloth with water. You may want to add a small amount of baby cleanser to the water if your baby is especially dirty. 

5. Wash your baby remembering to support his neck whenever you need to lift him to wash in the back. Pay close attention to the diaper area, the hands, the neck, and all his creases. 

6. Wash his hair last to conserve heat. Use the cup to rinse his hair, taking care to not pour water in his face.

At no time should you leave your baby unattended, even for a second. If you are interrupted or forget something, take the baby with you. A baby can drown in a scant amount of water. And do not attempt to take the baby into the shower with you. Babies are just too wiggly and slippery when wet to shower with them safely.

Don’ts: 

     * Avoid giving your baby a bath immediately after he’s eaten. Newborns are more likely to spit up post-meal, and you don’t want him to need a second bath before he’s even out of the first.

     * Avoid giving your child bubble baths. Studies show they can increase the incidence of bladder inflammation.

You may want a few more items to make baths easier or more fun. !!

     * A thermometer to make sure bathwater isn’t too hot.

Bath toys

     * A spout cover to protect baby’s head 

     * Tub treads to keep a tub in place on the bathtub surface

     * A container for bath toys.

Post-Bath Care

Baby’s post-bath routine can take just as long as the actual bath, but it’s important not to miss anything, especially if baby’s next stop is bed.

* Dry your baby well and apply any needed cream for diaper rash or healing ointment for circumcision before diapering, clothing and swaddling.

* Take the opportunity to sing and talk to your little one, both for distraction and bonding. * Explain what color the shirt and pants are, count how many snaps you’re fastening, and label each body part as you kiss them.

* Find clothes with snaps or zipper closures and wide openings for the neck. Now is not the time to be fumbling with buttons. Also, noisiest with built-in mittens are great to protect your baby from her surprisingly sharp fingernails.

* Instead of trying to shimmy sleeves and pants over uncooperative limbs, try reaching into the openings and pulling his or her extremities through.

* Dress your newborn in light pajamas and a sleeper

Above mentioned Tips would help Your baby to have Safe and Happy Bath..!