Bathing a newborn baby should come as motherly instinct, is this right? No, not exactly. In reality bathing a slippery newborn baby can be one of the most nerve-racking experiences a new mother can have. This is not at all abnormal. The knowledge of how to bath a newborn baby is not part of motherly instinct. Following a few basic steps can help ease the tension a bit.
1. Get everything ready in advance. Once the baby's in the bath, you can't leave him or her for even a moment. (See "Things You Need" below). This will also alleviate the need to run around with a wet baby in a towel while gathering all the gear together once you are done.
2. Be sure you're dressed in appropriate clothes--you will get splashed and/or soapy. Roll up long sleeves, remove jewelery like watches, rings, and bracelets. Many caregivers like wearing a terrycloth bathrobe while bathing a baby.
3. If you will be in a kneeling position, you may want to use a folded towel to cushion your knees.
4. You can use a special baby tub, or your clean kitchen sink until your newborn is several months old (depending on the size of your sink).
5. Run the water and check the temperature. You can use your elbow, wrist or a special bath thermometer available in many places. Always test before placing baby in the tub. The water should be comfortably warm to touch but not hot enough to scald the baby.
6. Line the sink or bath (if necessary--many baby tubs are already lined). If using the sink, place a towel or washcloth in the bottom. This keeps baby from slipping around. It is also handy to do this in a bath if it is slippery. Have a cup handy so that you can have something to rinse off any soap.
7. Keep the baby's head out of the water. Keep the baby's head out of the water. If you have a child that cannot hold up his or her own head, place your left hand on baby's back and gently use this hand to grasp the baby's left upper arm to keep him/her steady. Babies can be wriggly and slippery! Use a cup or your cupped hands to get the baby wet.
8. Use a soft washcloth and begin washing the baby. If you wish, you can use a safe baby soap that is very neutral, but it isn't necessary; a gentle scrub and wash down are adequate to keep babies clean. Don't forget to get between all the little creases and behind the ears and under the neck where spit-up and moisture seem to collect. Don't forget to gently clean the genitalia, too.
9. Wash the hair. If washing hair, lean the baby back and gently massage water into hair and scalp. Use cup to pour water over the baby's head. You can use baby shampoo if desired but there is really no need. Babies are born with all the natural oils needed to keep the scalp beautiful and shampoos can easily spoil this balance.
10. If you use baby shampoo, use your hand to create a "visor" to protect the baby's eyes from the soap.
11. Before rinsing, be certain that the temperature of the incoming water is not too hot!
12. Make sure any soap used is off the baby before finishing the bath. Place baby in a towel being careful to cover the baby's head. When drying, make sure to dry gently behind the ears and in the skin folds, so that no excess moisture is left there.
13. Towel-dry the hair as much as possible. The fine hair of a baby will dry quickly. Do not use a hairdryer, as it is unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
14. Only apply creams, lotions, powders, or oils if directed by a doctor.
15. Replace diaper (nappie) and dress the baby in clean clothes.
2. Be sure you're dressed in appropriate clothes--you will get splashed and/or soapy. Roll up long sleeves, remove jewelery like watches, rings, and bracelets. Many caregivers like wearing a terrycloth bathrobe while bathing a baby.
3. If you will be in a kneeling position, you may want to use a folded towel to cushion your knees.
4. You can use a special baby tub, or your clean kitchen sink until your newborn is several months old (depending on the size of your sink).
5. Run the water and check the temperature. You can use your elbow, wrist or a special bath thermometer available in many places. Always test before placing baby in the tub. The water should be comfortably warm to touch but not hot enough to scald the baby.
6. Line the sink or bath (if necessary--many baby tubs are already lined). If using the sink, place a towel or washcloth in the bottom. This keeps baby from slipping around. It is also handy to do this in a bath if it is slippery. Have a cup handy so that you can have something to rinse off any soap.
7. Keep the baby's head out of the water. Keep the baby's head out of the water. If you have a child that cannot hold up his or her own head, place your left hand on baby's back and gently use this hand to grasp the baby's left upper arm to keep him/her steady. Babies can be wriggly and slippery! Use a cup or your cupped hands to get the baby wet.
8. Use a soft washcloth and begin washing the baby. If you wish, you can use a safe baby soap that is very neutral, but it isn't necessary; a gentle scrub and wash down are adequate to keep babies clean. Don't forget to get between all the little creases and behind the ears and under the neck where spit-up and moisture seem to collect. Don't forget to gently clean the genitalia, too.
9. Wash the hair. If washing hair, lean the baby back and gently massage water into hair and scalp. Use cup to pour water over the baby's head. You can use baby shampoo if desired but there is really no need. Babies are born with all the natural oils needed to keep the scalp beautiful and shampoos can easily spoil this balance.
10. If you use baby shampoo, use your hand to create a "visor" to protect the baby's eyes from the soap.
11. Before rinsing, be certain that the temperature of the incoming water is not too hot!
12. Make sure any soap used is off the baby before finishing the bath. Place baby in a towel being careful to cover the baby's head. When drying, make sure to dry gently behind the ears and in the skin folds, so that no excess moisture is left there.
13. Towel-dry the hair as much as possible. The fine hair of a baby will dry quickly. Do not use a hairdryer, as it is unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
14. Only apply creams, lotions, powders, or oils if directed by a doctor.
15. Replace diaper (nappie) and dress the baby in clean clothes.
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