People say it takes a village to raise a child and we couldn't agree more. Having a newborn can be joyous and intimidating at the same time.
This is particularly a challenging time for new mums who are not only learning to be a mother, but are also in the postpartum recovery process. So concerns and self-doubt are a part and parcel of motherhood.
You are also constantly worrying about keeping the little one safe and healthy at all times. In fact, something as simple as bathing needs to be done with utmost care and precaution. They are literally so fragile, after all.
When Should You Give Your Baby A Sponge Bath?
It's always best to give a sponge bath with a warm or damp cloth in the first week of your baby's life. This is better than total water immersion.
"In general, it is recommended for newborns to take sponge baths - up to the point the umbilical cord stump falls off - or tub baths at a frequency of two to three times weekly," said Dr Lee Hwee Chyen, Medical Director and Consultant Dermatologist at Epi Dermatology & Laser Specialist Clinic.
Wash the face and hands thoroughly and also their genital area to avoid any chance of bacterial infection.
Once your baby's umbilical cord stump dries and falls off and the area heals completely, you can start giving your newborn tub baths.
When your baby is just a few weeks old, use the kitchen sink or a small plastic baby tub instead of the regular tub to keep them safe.
Before you get down to bathing your little one, arrange all the essential supplies like shampoo, shower gel, moisturiser, clothes, diaper and a towel, all within arm's reach. Also, make sure the water is heated at 120 Fahrenheit (49-degree Celsius) or lower.
With the preparation done, here are some essential baby bath tips that can make your life a little easier and help avoid any untoward accidents.
6 Baby Bath Tips For New Parents
1. Never leave your baby unattended
Make sure that you don't keep your baby unattended in water. It can be extremely dangerous for the newborn.
For instance, if you are bathing your baby and are home alone. You have someone at the door or a phone ringing. Don't leave your baby alone in the bathroom and step away. If it's urgent, take your baby along with you and leave the bathroom.
Ideally, try and organise the baby's bath time when you have some help or another member at home. This will surely ease such worries.
2. Hold your baby carefully
Handling a wet, soapy, slippery newborn needs to be done with extreme care. It takes a lot of practice and confidence. So don't take stress and freak out when that tiny doll is in your arms.
Stay calm and always maintain a good grip. It is just a matter of time and you will soon get the hang of it. Bathing time can actually be great fun and a bonding time between you and your baby. So make the most of it.
3. Use a small tub
It can be tough for a new mum like you to handle the baby if the tub is too big, so it's always better to bathe your baby in a small tub. It also lets you control the temperature easily.
You can start filling the tub with cold water and then mix some hot water in it to bring it to a lukewarm temperature.
Before you pour the water on your baby, always check the temperature of the water using your elbow or the inside of your arm. Your baby may find the warm water extremely comforting and may enjoy it.
But there can also be a chance that they may scream throughout the entire experience. If you find that your baby is having a stressful time, then make it a quick five-minute bath. This is long enough to get your baby clean before the water cools down.
4. Don't use too much water
If your baby is under three months, there is no need to bathe them every day. You can do it every alternate day by giving a sponge bath on one day and a proper bath the next day.
Also, don't fill the bucket with too much water. The baby might feel suffocated and scared during the bathing process.
5. Be gentle, don't scrub
When it comes to bathing your newborn, remember: gentle is the way to go! Avoid scrubbing their delicate skin too hard.
"Excessive rubbing or scrubbing, along with harsh soaps or lotions, should be avoided as this may exacerbate the severity of the (baby) acne and rashes," said Dr Lee.
Use a soft touch with mild baby soap and lukewarm water. Gentle strokes are all you need – no need to be too rough. Newborn skin is super sensitive, and a light touch during bath time helps keep it happy and healthy.
6. Keep bath time short, and dry immediately
"Bath times should be kept short at around five to ten minutes to prevent stripping the baby’s skin of natural oils, to avoid dryness and irritation," advised Dr Lee.
Make sure to pat dry your baby immediately after giving the bath. The temperature of the room where you are bathing should be around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Always cover your baby's head with a fresh dry towel to prevent them from feeling cold. This is very important because babies have very thin hair on their heads and can catch cold faster.
One of the more important baby bath tips is that you should always start by washing your baby's body first and then the hair in the end so that the head doesn't stay wet for too long.
Here are some more baby bath tips new parents should keep in mind when bathing their newborn:
- Always use a soft towel to wipe your baby. Remember, your baby's skin is extremely soft and sensitive.
- If your baby has eczema (a skin condition), first apply the moisturising cream all over the body before bathing. It will prevent the skin from further drying up.
- Every baby has a different skin type, so choose your baby's soap carefully. Always do a patch test when trying out something new.
Remember, not all babies will instantly fall in love with their bath time. So give it some time and you will soon find that bathing time is a great way to connect and create a deeper bond with your little one.
From making a lot of eye contact while smiling and laughing to playing together and massaging your little one, there are plenty of ways to make your little one enjoy their bath time.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it's important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn't serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.