After you have been pregnant for 9 months, finally your baby’s day of birth is here. Happiness, apprehensions, excitement, and anxiety fill you with a plethora of emotions. You get to hold your labor of love, your baby in your hands for the first time. With the elation, there are some bruises and pains and exhaustion, but everything takes a second place with your baby being the focus now. So many doubts and questions about baby care. One such aspect you may worry about newborn baby bath
Scores of advice start to pour in the moment your baby is born. and you realize that now there are many things you will be doing for the first time, like feeding your baby, changing the nappy, soothing the little one, cleaning and bathing, and taking care of your newborn. So, whose advice to take, what to follow and what not to follow? These things can be exciting as well as nerve-wracking! This article talks all about when and how to bathe a newborn baby, care and precautions to take and answers some general questions about the whole process.
In This Article
- When Should I Bathe My Newborn Baby?
- Will The Baby’s Umbilical Stump Get Infected If I Bathe My Baby?
- How Can I Give My Baby A Bath At Home?
- How To Bathe A Newborn Baby?
- Step By Step Process Of Bathing The Baby
- Baby Care After A Bath
- Why Is My Baby’s Skin So Flaky?
- When Will My Baby’s Umbilical Stump Fall Off?
- FAQ’s
When Should I Bathe My Newborn Baby?
Most hospitals recommend a topping and tailing procedure to keep your baby clean. It just means that a baby’s face and neck (topping) are wiped clean with a baby wipe and so is their genital area (tailing). Many parents follow this routine till the baby’s umbilical stump falls off, which is for a week or so.
Some parents also resort to sponge bathing their baby for the first few days. However, some parents wish to bathe their babies as they believe it creates a bonding between the mother and the child. Most hospitals have special ayahs and nurses who bathe babies and clean them.
As long as your little one is healthy, and the room in which they are being given a bath is warm, a bath can be given a few hours after your baby is born. If your doctor advises you to give your baby a sponge bath, then you can read about it here. In case it is a bath that you want for your baby, then your hospital ayah or nurse will help. If you are unable to walk after delivery, then you can try to learn how the nurses give the bath to the baby.
Want to know more about sponge bathing your baby? Click here.
Will The Baby’s Umbilical Stump Get Infected If I Bathe My Baby?
Water is not going to infect or delay the healing of the umbilical stump. However, you can choose to top and tail your baby if you feel worried. You can carefully pat the stump dry with a clean and soft towel if it gets wet during the bath.
Some moms prefer to hire an ayah or a maalishwali in the first 40 days after delivery to help them bathe the baby and massage themselves as well as the baby.
Click here to read about your first 40 days after delivery. Read more about umbilical stump infections here.
How Can I Give My Baby A Bath At Home?
It is important to learn how to give a baby a bath, even if you have an ayah or the first bath has been given by a nurse. Most of the time, the older ladies in the house manage that chore, especially if you have had a tear or an episiotomy during the delivery. But, if possible, it is better if you are able to see and help the nurse bathe the baby.
That way, when the responsibility comes to you, you are prepared. You will need to shed off your nervousness, which is natural since the baby will appear slippery and wriggly and you will also have to gather some essentials to give your baby a bath.
How To Bathe A Newborn Baby?
Some babies do not like to be in the water. It is quite normal. Normally newborns are only given sponge baths, or their bodies are wiped clean with a washcloth. Doctors may advise waiting until the umbilical cord stump falls off. When the nurse bathes your baby, insist that she does it in front of you so that you can also participate.
Before the nurse starts giving bath, there are certain things that she keeps handy, and that you should follow too.
- Check the temperature of the water with your elbow. It should be neither too hot nor too cold. Fill a large bowl and spread a clean sheet or a blanket/towel over which the baby is placed
- Be ready with 2 sets of towels – 1 wet towel for soaking and 1 dry towel for drying the baby
- Use a mild baby soap or baby body wash
- Keep ready a set of clothes which are to be worn after bathing
- Also have socks and baby cap ready
- Have a diaper or nappy ready
- Use a mild unscented moisturizing lotion for post bath or body wipe
Step By Step Process Of Bathing The Baby
Now let’s see the procedure of bathing your baby:
- Start with eyes. Take clean, gentle cloth or cotton. Dip in water and rub around the eyes, starting from the corner of the nose. Repeat with the next eye with another cloth or cotton. Try to take out the dried secretion from the eyes with the help of cotton
- Move on to the ears. Gently clean the outer part of the ear, without touching the insides
- Clean the neck area. Take care of the folds around the neck. Be gentle in holding the baby
- Move on to the stomach area without touching the umbilical cord area
- If the water touches the navel area, wipe it with a dry cloth and make it dry
- Wipe baby’s genital and bottom, especially along the folds
- One important thing, while washing baby’s head, place your hand over his forehead, so that water does come over the face. Take a mild shampoo in your hand. Massage it in a round direction, with light hands. Wipe immediately
Baby Care After A Bath
Once your baby is finished bathing, there are a few pointers that need to be remembered.
- Make sure to rinse off any excess soap
- After bathing, immediately apply baby moisturizing lotion all over the body
- While giving a bath or after a bath, do not leave the baby unattended even for a second. If you have to leave the room, wrap a towel around the baby and take him with you
Why Is My Baby’s Skin So Flaky?
When you see your newborn baby, don’t expect to see the pink cute baby. Baby photographs that appear on the internet and in magazines are generally misleading. There are chances of amniotic flakes on the baby’s skin. There might be some spots on his body.
That’s perfectly normal. Once he is bathed and massaged, his skin will be back to normal. Do not resort to applying lotions and moisturizers which can further increase the chances of getting infections and may also result in rashes.
Also, avoid using too much baby powder (click here to know why) as it can be harmful to your baby. Unless the doctor recommends something
When Will My Baby’s Umbilical Stump Fall Off?
Umbilical Cord Stump can take up to 45 days to fall on its own. Till then, try to keep the navel area dry. Your newborn baby does not need a bath every day. Sometimes you can bathe him or at times just a sponge bath is sufficient. Whenever you are holding the baby, always place your palm by his head and neck, so that it gets proper support, let the baby tries to wiggle! Be gentle but firm in holding.
Read more about your baby’s umbilical stump here.
FAQ’s
1. When Can I Start Bathing My Newborn Daily?
Newborns only need to be washed twice or three times a week to be clean. However, a daily bath is OK if your newborn enjoys them. Baby’s skin might get dry and irritated if bathed more frequently than this.
2. What Happens If I Don’t Bathe My Newborn?
It is not required to bathe your baby on a daily basis, but it is crucial to bathe often and keep your baby clean. Not bathing the baby at all, especially during the hot summer months, may exacerbate skin problems.
3. Should I Bathe My Newborn Before Or After A Feed?
It’s not a good idea to give your infant a bath just after feeding time or while he or she is hungry or sleepy.
