Newborn baby bath essentials
Your baby’s first full bath might seem scary but with a little outside help in the beginning and with experience, bathtime routine can become a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your little bundle of joy.
Here is all that you need to learn about newborn baths.
How often should you bathe your baby
The World Health Organization recommends delaying the first bath until 24 hours after birth, or at least for six hours if it is otherwise not possible for cultural reasons. The waxy coating which covers the baby’s skin at birth is a natural cleanser, keeps warm and protects against infections.
Newborns do not get dirty unless they soil themselves or spit milk which might get in their neck creases. That is why washing your new baby every 2 or 3 days is probably enough.
Be sure to keep her diaper area clean though. Wash her every time she poops so that you avoid rashes which may hurt during bathtime. That runny breastfed baby poop may be easy to wipe out but baby’s skin is highly sensitive and washing with water is best.
Gentle sponge baths
It’s best to delay the first big bath until the umbilical cord stump falls off and opt instead for gentle sponge baths.
Gather ahead of time and have within hand reach fragrant-free soap and moisturizer. You will also need two soft washcloths, one for the body and one for the face. Have one or two diapers ready.
Lay a changing pad on a flat surface and put a clean towel on it. You will place the baby on this towel. Have another soft towel ready for when you finish the sponge bath.
Undress the baby without taking the diaper off and wrap her in the towel on the changing pad. Start with the back of the ears, move to the neck, armpits, elbows, knees, fingers, and toes. Gently wash one limb at a time and pat it dry. Do not rub the skin so that it does not irritate. Use only a little soap so that baby’s skin does not get too dry. Do not forget to use a different washcloth for the face.
For uncircumcised baby boys, do not wash the foreskin. For circumcised boys, if the wound has not healed, do not wash it. Always wash girls diaper area from front to back.
The first big bath
Now that you feel comfortable with sponge baths, you may be ready for baby’s first full tub bath. A small plastic tub is more practical in the beginning. The tub should have an anti-sleep bottom to keep it from moving.
Choosing the bathing room
First, you need to choose a bathing place. Ally S., a mother of three, says that her husband came up with the idea to place the plastic tub in the baby’s nursery and to wash the baby in there. This way they were closer to the changing table and avoided the bathroom tile getting slippery from baby splashing water.
Whether you choose to bathe baby in the nursery, in your bedroom or in the bathroom, be sure to put the tub on a flat surface. You can place it on a table to avoid backaches. The room needs to be warm enough. Turn the heat on about half an hour before bathtime.
Gather all you need beforehand so that you do not leave the baby alone
Gather the following items close to the baby tub:
- unscented baby soap and tear-free shampoo
- a towel to place in the water to prevent baby from slipping
- one or two soft hooded towels (you may feel the first towel gets too wet after placing baby on it, so you might need a second dry one)
- plastic cup with warm water and washcloth to clean baby’s face
- rinsing cup.
Arrange the following on the bed or changing table:
- clothes baby will wear after taking the bath
- changing mat
- one or two nappies
- lotion, powder or natural oil
- diaper rash cream
- baby hairbrush
- baby blunt scissors or nail clippers
- products for circumcision care like petroleum jelly and sterile gauze
Check water temperature
Fill in the tub with 2-3 inches of warm water. Check the water temperature with your elbow. It should feel normal or only slightly warm. Do not let the water running when you place your baby in the tub.
How to wash baby
Place your baby gently in the tub and follow her reaction seeing whether she feels the water is too hot or cold. You need to cradle her head and back at all times as you wash her. You might feel tempted to use tub seats but supporting the baby with your arms gets the job done faster and you feel more in control.
Pay close attention to the creases behind the ears, at the neck, thighs, elbows, armpits, and the diaper area. You need to check between the fingers and toes as well. After having finished with the creases and limbs, wash the hair.
Using the rinsing cup, pour some water all over her body including baby’s back. As you cradle her neck and back, gently raise her a bit above the water and take her by the armpits while supporting her neck and turn her on her belly without the face touching the water. Rinse her gently on the back and buttocks, using the rinsing cup. Then take her in your arms and wrap her in the hooded towel.
Lotions and powders are not a must after the bath. You could opt for natural oils, like coconut oil or olive oil, for the diaper area.
Some newborns love a massage after bath while others get hungry. Be sure to follow her signs and perfect your bath routine. Soon enough, bathing will become your second nature. In just a few months, your baby will be sitting by herself and splashing her way in the big tub.
