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Newborn Care Topics..

 
You are here : home > Newborn Care > Massaging and Bathing > Bathing your baby

Bathing your baby

Bathing your baby

Before taking your baby for a bath, make sure that all things which will be needed are assembled at a place. Care should be taken while bathing the baby. Water should not enter the ears or umbilical cord. Warm water should be used. Here are some more tips.

Bathing your babyBefore bathing your baby, assemble her clothes, towels and the other bathing supplies.

Don't leave her unattended for even a moment. Make sure everything you need is within arm's reach - even the phone.

Close all the windows. Your baby is extremely delicate and a draft could cause her to catch a chill. Make sure the room is warm.

If your newborn's umbilical cord hasn't fallen off, give her a sponge bath. You can start giving her a after the cord falls out and the navel has healed. Don't wet the umbilical cord. If it gets wet by mistake, dab some alcohol on it.

If your male baby has been circumcised, give him sponge baths till the area heals. Only after it has completely healed should you give him a tub bath.

There are lots of tubs from which to choose. Some plastic baby tubs have a built-in seat for the baby to lean against; others include a removable hammock so she won't be completely immersed in the water. There are inflatable models your baby can comfortably sink into and others that fit into the bathtub.

If you don't have a tub but have a large sink, you could bathe your baby in it. Make sure it is well cleaned and disinfected first, and that it has a stopper.

Place a towel at the bottom of the tub or sink so it is not too slippery.

Fill up the tub or sink with water and test the temperature. Never pour the water into the tub with the baby in it; there might be a sudden temperature change.

Once you have the water (at the right temperature) ready, undress your baby and gently place her into the bath. Always support her neck and back with one hand until she can sit up. With the other hand, using a soft washcloth and baby soap, wash her ears and neck, paying attention to her ever-multiplying chins. Then wash her upper body, legs, genitals and back.

Don't wash inside her ears. The area is very delicate, and you may damage it.

Use a very and shampoo made especially for babies. Don't apply soap to her face.

If you're shampooing your baby's head, wrap her up in a towel and dip her head gently in the water. Shampoo, and then dip her head again to rinse out the suds. If she has cradle cap, shampoo her hair more often. When you apply shampoo, comb her hair to loosen the scales. Cover her head with a towel after you finish shampooing her.

After your baby's fully bathed, cover her with a towel and gently clothe her. She's ready to be pampered! It's best to avoid applying any form of powder or lotion on your newborn.




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Busywitty
Busywitty.4 years ago
Getting the right baby bath products can be difficult and especially when you are looking for toxin free products.i have been using the moms co baby products and they are quite nice.
 
 
 
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Krishna
Krishna.15 years ago
hey! these are really very informative articles.
 
 
 
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mother to be
mother to be.15 years ago
i want to know how to give bath to a new born,is ther any need to use soaps and washes for him since hes so small.anybody with an answer?plz help me.
 
 
 
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ness
ness.15 years ago
hello! please don't use alcohol on the cord! it actually makes it take longer to dry up & fall off!
 
 
 
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Seema
Seema.15 years ago
whenever i bath my children just prior to bedtime, i purposely leave off their rubber pants for about 20 minutes to give their skin a chance to "air out" before putting rubber pants on over top of their cloth diapers. this nifty little tip will help reduce the likelihood of diaper rash.
 
 
 
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new moms
new moms.15 years ago
as a new mom its ok to ask questions on newborn/infant care but ask the right people or at least confirm with the pedeatric doctor or nurse your baby will be healther and you will be happier. every baby has thier own specific needs. ps for mother to be from past experience the instructions on this website are very good other tips are check the room temperature make sure it is comfortable not to hot not cold. just relax and don't be scared but be informed. my son he is big now was also very sensitive and had broncitis and rsv at 2 weeks old there are a lot of moms out their that understand. just relax enjoy time with baby and you will be fine remember good room temperture, no, no, no submerging in water until umbical has fallen off and navel has healed completely, mild baby soap adult soaps and bathing products may be to harsh for sensitive skin mine was alregic to everything. if something seems odd, tell your doctor. 1 or 2 drop of soap on a damp warm cloth and one little precious baby section at a time. newborns skin doesn't get dirty as quickly as aduts check with a nurse. i was told by a nurse to wash every other day and every day for diaper area. remember baby feels your emotions as well so be confident and enjoy your newborn. if still feeling overwhelmed never be inbaressed to ask a doctor or nurse. also the notes from other moms very helpful!
 
 
 
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alice brown
alice brown.15 years ago
interesting comments, but what about a rash that's both on the legs and in the diaper area, almost like small bites? heat rash? bedbugs?
 
 
 
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AJ
AJ.15 years ago
i didn't know you couldn't get the umbilical cord wet very informative. pregnant just now so good to know. wish me luck?!?
 
 
 
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Seema
Seema.15 years ago
one very important safety tip i have for mothers and even babysitters is to leave on the baby's diaper (if not soiled) until you get the baby into the bathtub. i take off my newborn baby's rubber pants then grab hold of his cloth diaper to keep a firm grip of his slippery little body. it works great!
 
 
 
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mary
mary.15 years ago
i think that you all are correct when you talk about bathing your baby. my baby is healthy thanks to you guys. ashley says thankyou. tootles. oh and i am single with big boobies. hahahahaha
 
 
 
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