Bathing A Newborn
A Beginner’s Guide to Bathing a Newborn
Cuddling and gazing upon the sweet face of a baby comes naturally to anyone, but bathing a newborn can be an intimidating prospect for even those who have experienced raising children. Those tiny, frail bodies can seem so fragile!! Fortunately, following a few tips can help anyone become a master in no time at all.
Bringing home a newborn baby is an exciting event that is eagerly anticipated by the parents, grandparents and siblings. There are many adjustments that need to be made and, for first time parents especially, many new skills that need to be learned. Giving the baby a bath is one of these new skills. Because the infant is so small and defenseless, many parents are afraid of this activity. Since babies should not be immersed in bathwater until their umbilical cord stump dries up and falls off, the first 10 days or so of the baby’s life provides the perfect opportunity for the new parents to research the best tips for bath time. Armed with good information and time tested tips, the first experience with giving the baby a bath will go much more smoothly.
Because a fetus has been cosseted within the womb for its entire lifetime, being free from its mother is a new and sometimes frightening experience for the baby as well. The womb was secure, warm and dark; food was automatically supplied and there were no loud noises or bright lights to disrupt the baby’s nirvana. After birth, the infant experiences for the first time feelings of coolness, wetness, dryness, aloneness as well as unfamiliar noises and sights. It is only natural that the baby reacts negatively when they encounter water that is cooler than their skin temperature or when their protective snug environment is removed, allowing them to flail about wildly. The first experience with a bath exposes the baby to both of these scenarios, causing them distress. For a parent who is already nervous, having a baby who is screaming, shivering and thrashing about in their arms can be extremely unsettling.
Several items will be needed during the baby’s bath time, and assembling these ahead of time will allow the process to go much more smoothly. Place the items within arm’s reach of the tub; mild soap, baby shampoo, washcloth, dry towel, baby lotion, clean diaper and clothes. Using a tub that is ideal for the size of the baby is important; some parents like also to use the sink in the kitchen because it is of ideal height for them. Placing a large sponge or folded towel in the sink will help to support the baby and keep it from slipping around within the tub.
The water used for the bath should be around 90°; a thermometer can be used or simply dip your elbow into the water to test it. It should feel comfortably warm. A scant 2 or 3 inches of water is adequate for the bathing a newborn; it provides enough water for washing the infant yet not so much as to be overwhelming. Holding the baby in the crook of your arm as though cradling it, lower the infant into the water. You are able to now use your free hand to soap the baby and rinse using the washcloth. When removing the baby from the water, simply place your free hand on the baby’s tummy to hold the child stable as you lift it from the water. You are now able to place the child on the towel to dry it off before dressing.
Most babies and their parents will come to love bath time, but the first time or so bathing a newborn can be unsettling to say the least. Following these tips will help to make the process a much easier and less stressful one for both parent and baby.