BABY'S FIRST BATHTIME.

Bathing a newborn may shake your confidence as a new mom, but once you've mastered the first few baths you'll soon begin to enjoy it, and baby will too. There's no need to bath a newborn every day though, and a quick topping and tailing will do just as well.

Don't bath baby just for the sake of keeping a routine. If she's hungry or sleepy she won't enjoy it. Some babies like a soothing bedtime bath while other prefer a morning dip, but you'll soon learn to recognize the best time.

If you prefer using a big bath, kneel or squat next to the bath to avoid hurting your back. If you use a basin, wrap a facecloth around the taps to prevent knocks.

A baby bath can be heavy to fill, lift and empty. You may find it easier to use one inside a big bath so you can tip the water out when you've finished. If you bath with baby, make sure the water is the right temperature. Have someone pass her to you and take her out after a few minutes, as newborns get cold quickly.

Warm the room to prevent baby getting chilled when you lift her out, and gather everything you'll need. Run cold water into the bath, then hot, to no more than 10cm deep. The temperature should be just over 37”C. Test it with your wrist, elbow or bath thermometer, and never add hot water when baby's in the bath.

Undress baby to her nappy, wrap her in a towel and then gently cleanse her eyes, ears, nose, face and neck creases, using cooled, boiled water and a fresh piece of cotton wool for each area.

Avoid washing baby's hair while she's in the bath. If she should soil the water it could get into her ears and cause an infection. Swaddle her in a towel, holding her firmly under one arm and support her head with the same hand. Hold her over the bath and scoop a little water onto her head with your free hand. Use a dab of baby shampoo and rinse (shampoo is unnecessary unless baby has lots of hair).

Remove her nappy and clean the area with damp cotton wool. Lift her, with one hand holding her shoulder while supporting her head and neck with that forearm, and your other hand supporting her bottom and thighs. Lower her into the bath. Still supporting her and holding her shoulder as before, swish water over her body with your free hand.

After a few minutes, lift her out and hold her firmly as her skin will be slippery. Wrap her snugly in her towel and lay her on the changing mat. Pat her dry, paying attention to skin creases in the neck, arms and legs. If her skin is dry, massage her with olive oil, a plain barrier oil, and baby massage oil or baby lotion.

Apply baby lotion and dress her. Brush her head, regardless of how little hair she has, as this stimulates the scalp's blood supply and may help prevent cradle cap.

WARNING: NEVER LEAVE BABY UNATTENDED IN WATER.

 


Copyright© 2004, DLA GROUP (PTY) LTD. All rights reserved.