Bathing a newborn can be a challenging task for many new moms.
New parents ask themselves a lot of questions like what is the newborn bath temperature? how often should I bathe my newborn? should I bathe my baby in a bathtub or in the kitchen sink? when can I bathe my baby in a regular tub?
We’ll answer all of the questions you’ve ever had about baby bathing in this blog post.
When is the best time of day to bathe your baby?
Whether you bathe your baby in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening is entirely up to you and your routine with your baby.
However, he should be awake, in a positive mood, and not digesting or hungry; thus the moment which precedes or directly follows his meal is therefore not ideal for the bath.
Choose a time of the day when you have enough free time to fully devote yourself to your baby.
Bathing is something that some parents want to include in their child’s nighttime routine.
Many babies are soothed by hot water and fall asleep quickly. In any event, pay attention to your child and don’t force him to bathe if he doesn’t want to.
He must see this as a good experience, and if you suspect he isn’t, simply clean him with a washcloth.
How often to bathe your newborn?
Babies don’t sweat much yet and usually don’t get as dirty as older children. For this reason, giving the bath two or three times a week for the first few weeks is quite enough.
If necessary, you can also clean your little one’s face, hands, and private parts with a damp washcloth.
From the age of one year, you can increase the frequency of baths. However, bathing too often or for too long can dry out your baby’s skin.
Baby Bathtub or bath seat? Which accessory to use for the bath of your newborn?
This decision is up to you. Just try what suits you best, but make sure to use an item suitable for your little one’s age and body type.
Baby bathtubs have the advantage of saving space and water, they are particularly practical if you only have a shower at home.
Due to the embryonic position, babies feel particularly comfortable in it, the baby bathtub generally offers enough space to discover the aquatic element in complete freedom because it facilitates movement.
Whichever option you choose, you should never leave your small baby in the water unattended. If you have to interrupt his bath, wrap your baby in a warm towel and take him with you in your arms.
For the first few times, you can also take a bath together with your little one and your partner, so he will feel more comfortable and supported.
What is the ideal newborn bath temperature
For most babies, a bath temperature of 100 F (around 38°C) is ideal.
You can easily check this with a bath thermometer, if you don’t have one, stick your elbow in the water, it should feel nice.
For the first six to eight weeks, plain water is sufficient. Later, you can add a moisturizing agent to the bathwater, such as organic sweet almond oil. For a nourishing bath, you can also add a few drops of your breast milk.
When should you start bathing your baby daily ?
You can start bathing the baby every day after he learns to crawl and gets dirty, though it is not necessary yet. Also, as soon as the child emerges from the tub, apply a moisturizing cream. This will prevent any bad reaction on his sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Did you know that most babies enjoy bathing because the warm water reminds them of the environment in the womb? so the bath is not only intended to clean the baby, but it is also a relaxing experience.
After the first few months, you’ll be able to take a bath together with your baby, and skin-to-skin contact is also a good way to strengthen your bond with your child.
Reference:
