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Baby BathThe first baby bath probably will be the hardest. Many parents are terrified of bathing their baby, and babies rarely cooperate. Don’t despair. Most hospitals give baby bath demonstrations in the newborn nursery. If not, ask your mother, another relative, or a friend for advice. After a time or two, giving a baby bath will be easy for you and enjoyable for your infant. In the early months it may be more convenient to bathe the baby in the morning, usually before a feeding, because the baby is apt to be more alert then. Some mothers prefer the evenings, especially if the baby’s father is on hand to help out. How often you bathe the baby is up to you. Some physicians advocate daily baths, but others advise a baby bath every other day, particularly during the winter when a baby’s skin is more prone to dryness. As long as the diaper area and the mouth are thoroughly cleansed daily, a baby can go several days without a bath. The kitchen is an excellent place for bathing a newborn, especially in the winter, because in most houses it tends to be one of the warmer rooms. Placing a tiny, slippery baby in an adult sized bathtub can be difficult and uncomfortable for parents. Thus, many parents buy a baby bathtub that can be placed in the kitchen sink or in the tub. Large bowls or washbasins also can be used. If you do not feel comfortable with even the small tub, you can give the baby sponge baths initially. Many physicians recommend sponge baby bath until the baby’s navel is healed. The trick to a successful baby bath is to have everything ready ahead of time. Never leave the baby unattended in the tub for even a few seconds. The bathtub can be an extremely dangerous place if a baby is left alone, even if it contains only a small amount of water. A parent should never leave a baby alone in the bathtub. Let the telephone or doorbell ring. Do not let anything take your attention away from your infant. Hence, advance planning is important. Here are the items you will need for a baby bath: soap, washcloth, towel, cotton, lotion or powder (not necessary but it smells nice), clean diaper, undershirt, and sleeper or nightgown. After you have run the water in the tub (fill it to a depth of only an inch or two), touch the water with your elbow or wrist to make sure it is not hot. It should feel comfortably warm but not hot. Some parents prefer using a bath thermometer. If you have one, the temperature should be between 90°F and 100°F. Undress the baby. Support its head with your wrist and place the fingers of that hand in its armpit; then place the baby in the tub. Start your baby bath by washing the face with a soft, wet cloth but no soap. Use a piece of cotton soaked in plain water to wipe around the baby’s eyes. A shampoo is necessary only once or twice a week. For the scalp, use a mild soap or baby shampoo. Wipe the suds off the scalp with a damp rag. Do not pour water over the baby’s face. After the face is washed, soap the rest of the body. Most parents find it easier to soap the skin with their hand rather than a wash cloth because the other hand is holding the baby. Wash the diaper area last. When the soap has been rinsed away, hold your baby with both hands and move it to a soft baby bath towel. If the navel is still not healed, your baby’s physician may want you to swab it with cotton soaked in alcohol. After the baby is dried, you may want to use a lotion or powder. Lotion can help if the baby’s skin is dry, and powder is good for a baby whose skin chafes easily. Neither is necessary most of the time. If you choose to use powder, never dust it directly on the baby because the particles can irritate the lungs. Instead, apply some to your hand (away from the baby) and gently pat it on thinly. Do not use baby oil. It can cause skin problems. Baby Health And Care
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