Hygiene
IT'S BATH TIME!
By Jill Tomlin
It's bath time!
Most babies love a nice bath. It's warm, it's
soothing and it's relaxing. And because babies love skin-to-skin
contact, bathing offers another great opportunity for warm interaction
between you and your little one.
Ten tips for good, clean fun:
1. How often should baby have a bath? Check with your doctor;
more than likely, he or she won't recommend a daily bath for your
newborn. The frequency depends on your climate, your baby's health, and
the time of year. Sponge baths are a good idea until baby is about 6
weeks old. Use warm water and a soft cloth to clean all those baby
parts that need special attentionÐfirst the face and then the neck,
hands and diaper area. Of course, bathe more often as the situation
requires; after all, babies can get a bit messy. When your baby starts
to eat solid foods (at around 4 months), you'll need to bathe him more
often.
2. TLC for all Sponge-bathe your baby until the umbilical
cord falls off. For circumcised baby boys, wait until the circumcision
has healed (about 10 days) before giving him his first full bath.
3. Temperature counts Your baby can't regulate his body
temperature as well as you can, so always bathe him in a warm room. The
water should be at body temperature. Always check the bath water
temperature with the underside of your wrist before you place baby into
the water.
4. Get a grip A wet baby is a slippery baby, so use both
hands to bathe him. Watch for his natural startled reaction to the
water, which may cause him to slip out of your grasp. To keep baby from
slipping in the sink or tub, lay a towel beneath him to act as a soft
bath mat.
5. Choose a mild soap and shampoo A newborn's skin is
very sensitive, so use only mild, no-tears baby soaps and shampoos.
Avoid using oils, lotions, and other toiletries on your baby unless
they're recommended by a doctor.
6. Be prepared Collect soap, towels, and other bath items so they're close at hand before you begin a bath.
7. Hair care Until your baby is several months old,
shampoo his hair about once a week. Use a mild no-tears formula and
place a washcloth on his forehead to help keep drips out of his eyes.
Of course, if your baby has lots of hair, shampoo whenever necessary.
8. Cradle-cap care For the first few months, you may
notice little flakes on your baby's scalp that are caused by cradle
cap. Simply remove the flakes by gently brushing his hair with a soft
brush after you've lathered it with shampoo. Then rinse.
9. Pat dry When tub time is done, bundle up baby in a
clean, soft towel and dry him off by gently patting (not rubbing) his
skin and hair. Then take a deep breath and enjoy the wonderful fresh
smell of your little one.
10. Water safety Never leave your baby alone in any amount
of water, even for a second. Warn siblings against turning on faucets
while baby is in the tub or sink to avoid accidental burns.
Where to bathe?
- A portable bath is ideal for your baby's first water experiences
because there are no faucets for him to bump against. You can set one
on the kitchen counter or on a table in a warm room. Place a towel
underneath to catch any water spills, and remember to line the bath
with a soft towel to prevent your baby from slipping.
- The kitchen sink will do if your baby will fit in it comfortably. Watch out for the faucets, and line the sink with a towel.
- The bathtub will be your choice when baby grows too big for
the sink, which will happen when he's about 3 to 6 months old. You'll
need extra safety gadgets for this larger expanse of water. If your
baby can sit up, place him in a bathing seat. Or lay him on a bathing
mat (like a big sponge) set in shallow tub water. If you can't just let
the answering machine do its job, take a cordless phone into the
bathing area so you can answer calls without leaving your baby's sight.
(Be sure to stay away from the bathtub with the phone.) Never leave
your baby in a tub unattended, regardless of how little water is in it.
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About The Author
Topeka, Kansas native Jill Tomlin writes about health issues for Your Baby Today. Her work appears in national publications.
