|
| |
Bathing Basics
by Jaime Warren
Those first few baths can be
pretty intimidating! Here are some helpful tips to get you started:
Sponge baths will be necessary for your newborn until his cord stump falls off.
Gently wiping him with a warm bath cloth is all you will really need to do.
However, if you would like, you can put a small amount of soap on the bath
cloth, just be careful when rinsing so that you avoid getting the stump wet.
Once your baby's stump has fallen off, the real bathing can begin!
Make sure that the room you are bathing him in is at least room temperature.
Make sure there are no drafts. If you have a fan in the room, turn it off to
keep the room mild and comfortable.
Before filling up the tub, make sure you have all your supplies within reach.
It's usually best to bathe baby in an area where there is plenty of counter
space or floor space available. Keep your baby soap, baby shampoo, bath cloth,
towel and other necessities close by so that you won't have to step away from
the tub.
When filling up the tub, check the water temperature with your wrist. The water
temperature should be comfortable to you.
Once you have baby undressed, gently place him in the tub. Be sure to keep one
hand on him at all times! Most newborns react as if they are startled, when they
are first placed in the water. A hand on his belly or beneath his back can help
calm him.
There are a varieties of baby soaps and shampoos available today. Which one you
choose is really up to you. Most new parents find that an all-in-one cleanser
for both body and hair is the most convenient.
To begin bathing, dip the bath cloth in the water and gently wet your baby's
skin. Again, be sure to have a hand on baby at all times! Once baby's skin is
wet, dispense desired amount of soap directly onto skin or onto the bath cloth.
Gently rub baby's body, concentrating on little folds of skin that can hold in
powder, lotion, etc. Once baby's skin is cleansed, rinse him by dipping the bath
cloth in the water and rubbing him with the clean cloth.
To wash baby's hair, take the bath cloth and immerse it in the water. Being
careful not to get the water in baby's eyes, squeeze the cloth over his hair and
wet it. Dispense desired amount of soap onto the hair and gently rub his head
until it lathers. To rinse, simply immerse the cloth again in clean water and
squeeze over the scalp. You can also use a cup for this, it really depends on
your comfort level.
Be sure to cleanse under the neck as well. Since newborns can't hold their heads
up very well, milk can get trapped under those folds of skin as well as spit up,
etc.
Removing baby from the tub can be tricky, so be careful, they're slippery!
Supporting his head and neck, remove baby from the tub and gently place on a
clean towel. Gently rub or pat his skin and hair until dry. Diaper and dress as
usual.
© 2003 by Jaime Warren, Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
Bellies N Babies
| |
|
