Giving your baby a bath seems to be one of those stressful times during new motherhood. You may be worried about many things such as how much water do I need? How do I get my baby safely into the bath? What if I get water into my baby’s eyes, ears, or mouth? Is the water at the right temperature? How long should a bath be? Show
Well, this blog will answer all your questions related to baby baths, from how to bathe your baby to whether you can co-bathe with them to make their experience more fun. When to Give Baby First BathWe’ll start off with the most commonly asked question by new mums – when can I give my newborn its first bath? After birth, the baby’s skin is covered by a waxy substance that protects the skin from environmental germs. Therefore, it is recommended to have the baby’s first bath after they are a few days old. However, this should only involve giving them a sponge bath, as giving a shallow bath isn’t safe until their umbilical cord falls off. Baby’s Bath TemperatureTemperature is an extremely important part of a baby bath. You don’t want the water to be cold or too hot; instead, it should be warm, at about 38 C. Always check the temperature with your elbow or wrist before placing your baby in the bath. If it feels just warm, you can place your baby in the bath, but if it feels a little hot, wait for the temperature to go down or add some cold water to balance it out. When to Bathe BabyParticularly in the early weeks, baths are not essential for your baby as their umbilical cord will still be healing. In this instance, a ‘top and tail’ approach will suffice. However, sometimes a more thorough wash is required – especially if your baby has done a particularly large poo that has travelled elsewhere! It’s also worth bearing in mind that small babies have incredibly sensitive skin and frequent bathing may cause irritation and dryness. If you have found this in your baby, take a look at Lansinoh’s Earth Friendly Baby skin care range that is designed especially for newborns. How to Top and Tail a BabyThe top and tail baby technique refers to cleaning your baby without a bath. You just have to give a quick wipe to their face, hands, neck, and bottom with cotton wool or sponge. How Often Do You Bathe a NewbornAs mentioned above, your newborns’ skin is very sensitive and can dry out with regular bathing. It is therefore recommended to give them a top and tail bath until their umbilical cord falls off. Once that has healed, you can give bathe your baby 2-3 times a week. When to Start Bathing Baby DailyAs your baby grows older, they’ll get messier and therefore will need more regular baths. Generally, for the first 12 months, it’s best to bathe them 2-3 times a week, and if necessary, more than that. But after 12 months, your baby won’t be as prone to skin irritation and dryness so you can start bathing them every day. When Can You Use Bath Products on a BabyFor the first 12 months, it’s best to avoid using any bath products as they tend to dry out the dry. Lansinoh has an organic range that you can use from 12 months onwards, designed specifically for babies skin. Baby Bath RoutineInstead of bathing your baby any time of the day, it’s best to create a routine by blocking out a specific time of the day without any distractions so you can focus on your baby and make their experience fun and safe. Some essentials you need before bathing your baby are:
Step by Step of How to Bathe Your Baby
How to Make Bath Time FunHere are a few well tested tips on how to make your baby’s bath time fun:
Can You Bathe With Your Baby?Yes! You can bathe with your baby as long as it’s safe to do so, meaning, you’re following all safety precautions. Bathing with your baby is a great bonding activity as it increases the skin-to-skin contact with your little one. Benefits of Co Bathing With BabyIf you feel that your baby may benefit from a bath, why don’t you take your baby into the tub with you? Baby baths are awkward to fill; to use or bend over the bath. Lifting them onto a safe surface should be avoided, especially if you have had a caesarean section or simply want to look after your back. Sharing a bath together can be lots of fun and also helps with breastfeeding. Sharing bath time together has lots of benefits:
How to Bathe With BabyYou may wonder if bathing with your baby is more effort than it is worth, considering you will both be wet by the end of it, but be assured, it can be a lovely, relaxing, feel-good, hormone-boosting experience for both of you. Here’s a few things to take note of:
Preparation is key to making bathing together an enjoyable experience. It can leave mum feeling relaxed and refreshed, as well as creating some lovely opportunities to deepen the bond between mum and baby. For babies, it can help them to feel safe and secure. Baby Bath With SupportIt is definitely easier to have someone around to pass your baby when you have got into the bath as well as receive them when you want to get out. However, if you are on your own and want to bathe with your baby then it is important you take the following steps:
Sitting down ensures you have a safe stance before picking your baby up. Put baby back into their seat before you get out of the bath. Now that you know how to safely bath your newborn as well as co-bathing with them, shop our range of baby organic skincare to make their bathing experience even more fun and relaxing. Feel free to also check out our blog for more parenting advice. |