Bathing the baby is one of the things that raises the most questions. It is a very special, intimate and sometimes 'chaotic' moment. Who hasn't ever found themselves pulling the baby out of the bathtub, the water dripping down into the armpits, biting the towel with their teeth (with the janitor who does that!) And screaming for someone to come help? So that this does not happen to you, we have created this quick guide with the steps that you must take into account before taking your baby to bathe.
HOW SHOULD THE BABY BE BATHED?
As we discussed in the entry previous, on what type of skin the baby has, at the time of birth it is recommended not to bathe the baby with soaps to keep the vernix caseous. It is best to wash her only with water to clean the blood that may be left at the time of delivery. But don't worry because that part will be done by the midwife.
Subsequently, the bathroom during the first month of life It is not essential, just cleaning the areas that are most exposed to dirt is enough.
From month of age48 hours after the umbilical cord falls, you can now bathe your baby in complete peace of mind!
What are the steps you must follow to bathe the baby?
– Before starting the bath you should prepare all the necessary things and leave them on hand to minimize the risks. These things are: Bathtub, towel, mitt or sponge (if used), clean clothes, diaper, extra towel (in case it gets too wet or the baby urinates) soaps and creams, diaper cream, a water thermometer, and a soft brush (the last two are not the highest priority).
– LugaA: The temperature of the room must be between 20º - 24º
– Water temperature: the correct temperature, between 35º and 38º, makes the baby lose less heat and is much more comfortable. It is not necessary to fill the bathtub too much (less than half), it must have a depth that is comfortable for the child and for parents who must hold it so that it does not slip.
– Wash the baby's body: Once everything is ready, you can undress the baby. It is very important before putting him in the bathtub to clean the remains of faeces and urine from the diaper. When introducing it in the bathtub you must hold it well, since when wet it can slip. The most comfortable thing is to stand on one side of the bathtub, put an arm under the nape of your neck and hold it by the opposite arm, that way you will support your head. You must never release it. With your free hand, gently lather the armpits, neck, arms, belly and legs, especially the folds, which is where all the dirt accumulates. Once the process is finished, rinse so that there are no traces of soap. It is not necessary to apply soap to the face, only warm water.
– Fun moment: At this time you have to let him enjoy the water, the splashing, the toys or anything that is happening inside the bathtub. It is a special time for you to discover new things and get used to the bathroom routine. Talking to him, singing to him and playing with him during the bath increases the communicative bond
- Wash baby's hair: You should always use products suitable for baby's hair. With your free hand, gently wet your hair. Apply a small amount of shampoo and massage the entire head gently. It is important to rinse well with water until there are no shampoo residues, it could irritate and itch. In winter it is better to leave this part until the end, so that you do not stay long with wet hair and can catch cold.
- Bathtub exit: Being wet can be slippery. You have to use both hands to be able to safely remove it. Once outside, it is quickly wrapped in the towel, which is soft and cotton. Stretch it in the changing table and with small taps dry all the skin (it does not drag with the towel, it could irritate you). It is necessary to put special interest in drying the areas with more folds, excess moisture could cause irritation.
- Hydrate: Before dressing the baby, a moisturizing lotion should be applied to prevent dryness. It is interesting to apply it in areas with a tendency to become more dry or irritated, such as armpits, groin, neck, and folds in general. It may be a good time to massage.
-Massage: The massage should always be done with patience, affection and great care, touch is very important for a good emotional development. It always has to be a pleasant experience. Massage gives you security, stimulates your senses, allowing them to experience new sensations through your skin, and helps you relax when you go to sleep. In the next blog post we will delve a little deeper into this topic.
- Duration: It is important that the baths are not excessively long, 15-20 minutes is sufficient.
-Nail care: The newborn does not need special care of the nails since they are so fine that they break. Once the child's nails are already hard enough to be cut without problem (approximately 15 days after birth) they can be cut with rounded-tip scissors, or they can also be filed with a baby file in the event that are too soft or difficult to cut. You have to be especially careful not to cut near the meat, you must respect the natural white line.
IS IT NECESSARY TO BATH THE BABY EVERY DAY?
The regularity of the bathroom depends on:
- Age: For babies from 1 to 12 months of age, a bath every two or three days is sufficient since it is usually cleaned as needed. What is most dirty for a baby of that age is the diaper area, face and hands.
- Game locations: Children from one year of age may need a daily bath since they tend to be more exposed to dirt, go out more, are already at school or play in public areas.
- Weather: During winter, it is common to decrease the frequency of bathing in younger babies. This helps reduce skin dryness caused by wind or heat. On the other hand, in the summer baths can be pleasant because they help to refresh the baby.
If you want to know what products you are going to need for a correct baby hygiene when you get home, don't miss our next post.
