Tips for Your Baby’s First Bath
Bathing your baby for the first time can literally send chills down your spine. Your tiny little munchkin has just entered the world and is so delicate that you aren’t entirely comfortable handling him/her. Bathing your baby is not just a ritual or an activity but also a great bonding exercise most parents treasure. However, just like holding your baby for the first time, this activity too entails many questions and even anxiety at times concerning when and how to do it aptly.
How Often Do You Need to Bathe Your Baby?
While you might wish to pick up all the best mother care and baby products from the shelves of your favourite mall for bathing and caring for your little munchkin, it’s important to know that babies have extremely delicate skin, and therefore, bathing them every day is not even required. As long as you keep their nappy area clean and take care of their basic hygiene, new-borns need just two to three days a week of the bathing session. As they grow older, most of the parents make bathing a part of their bedtime routine. This helps babies relax and sleep.
Tips to Sponge Bathe Your New-born
Before your baby is umbilical cord-free, it’s best to sponge-bathe him/her to prevent the stump from getting wet. Here’s how to do it:
- Lay a clean towel on a soft, flat surface. Keep a basin of lukewarm water and a sponge nearby. Gently lay the baby down on the towel.
- Exposing and focussing on one limb at a time, gently wash their arms and legs while keeping them warmly wrapped.
- Pat the area dry before you move on to the next limb.
- If the cord stump gets wet by accident, pat it dry gently using a dry towel.
Additional Tips
Baby Bath Tub:
First things first, when bathing your baby for the first time, you need to have a safe place, to begin with. Will you be bathing him in the sink or the tub? The space you choose must be comfortable to sit and bathe them. You can start with a sink as that will keep the baby at a counter height. A baby bathtub must be placed inside the sink to get started.
Water Temperature:
You would want to ensure that the water you use on your baby’s skin is at the right temperature. It should be neither too cold, nor too hot. Use your forearm to check the temperature and ensure that it’s comfortable enough for the baby. Your baby’s reactions will also be a reflection of whether the water is suitable for him/her or not. You may also use a thermometer to check the temperature and keep it consistent.
Hooded Towel:
You would also want to ensure that your baby stays snuggly warm post the bath. The best way to do that is by using a hooded towel. Start by placing the hooded towel on your shoulder and letting the hooded end fall free towards the floor. Grab your baby and place him/her on the towel while pulling the hooded part up and above their head.
It is also important to have all the things handy and choose a reputed online pharmacy such as Healthskool Pharmacy for all the best baby care products online.