STEPS:
1. Fill baby bath with a few inches of warm water. Baby’s bath water should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Swirl the water in the baby's tub with your hands so there are no hot spots. Test the water’s temperature on the inside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot BEFORE putting baby in the water.
Make sure room temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit to keep baby warm.
2. Have a washcloth, cotton pads, & dry towel handy. Keeping one hand on baby at all times helps make them feel secure and from slipping around. Wet babies are very slippery! This is a new experience and baby could jump and jerk around.
3. Gently cleanse around your baby's eyes with a cotton pad dampened with clean, warm water. Use a new cotton pad for each eye and always wipe from the inside corner of the eye outward. Then, using a soft washcloth, wipe around your baby's mouth, nose and whole face, working from the middle outward. Wipe the creases in baby's neck and don't forget behind the ears! You do not need to use cleanser on baby's face.
4. Wet baby washcloth with warm water and use a gentle cleanser formulated for babies. Wash the trunk of baby's body then arms and legs. You don't need to apply much pressure. Baby's skin is delicate. If your baby has hair, you might try a gentle shampoo. Don’t be afraid to gently wash the soft spots (fontanels) on top of your baby's head. Make sure to rinse off all soap and shampoo. You don't need to use much! A little goes a long way.
5. Wash the diaper area last. For a baby girl, cleanse the genital area washing from front to back. For boys, gently wash the penis and genital area, also washing from front to back. For an uncircumcised boy, avoid pulling back the foreskin.
6. Don't run water directly from the tap as water temperature can sometimes change suddenly. Pour cupfuls of water over baby's body to keep them warm.
7. Wrap both hands around your baby's chest under her arms, support her head, and lift her out of the bath and quickly wrap her in a towel. Dry your baby well by patting skin dry to avoid damage to skin. Get in all the creases, as excessive moisture could lead to skin irritation.
8. Apply a gentle baby moisturizer, to keep skin healthy. Infant massage is a great way to relax baby and helps with colicky baby. While baby is on their back, gently rub feet, legs, arms and hands, with small amount of baby lotion or oil. Roll baby on their tummy with head turned to one side and rub small amount of lotion of oil on their back gently. Baby's usually LOVE massages and it helps them sleep and relax just like it does for adults!
9. You can also do baths without the tub by laying baby on a clean, dry towel on a stable surface such as a kitchen counter. Have a small bowl of warm water, washcloth and dry towel close by. Wash baby with warm wet washcloth while baby remains on towel starting with head, face, ears, neck, then move to baby's trunk, legs, arms and finally the diaper area. Pat dry and put lotion or baby oil on baby's skin. This can be used to freshen baby quickly, when they don't need a full bath.
MORE TIPS:
- Clean only what you can see; avoid putting anything deep into your baby's ear canal or nose.
- Every baby is different, but some don’t like to be bathed too soon after feeding. Many moms find it’s best to bathe baby before they eat.
- NEVER leave baby alone in the bath!
- Baby does not need more than 2-3 baths per week when under a month old. More often can lead to dry skin.
- Bath should be 5-10 minutes long. Don't allow baby to remain in bath water for longer since the water temperature will cool quickly and it can cause dry skin.
I hope this helps you out as I know that first baths are quite intimidating! You will be an expert in no time! Good luck!
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