Starting baby on a regular bathing schedule can be done soon after birth.

Some pediatricians suggest waiting a few days before giving a newborn baby his or her first bath. It is because vernix, a waxy layer on the skin, acts as a natural barrier against environmental infections for newborns.

It is the responsibility of the hospital staff to remove any blood or amniotic fluid from the birthing area if you choose to have a hospital delivery. You may, however, be given the option to request that they leave behind any vernix that they find excessive.

When you finally get your newborn home, you can wash him or her with a sponge. Their entire body, including the diaper area, can be cleaned. It is the most secure method of washing your newborn up until the time their umbilical chord falls off.

After the umbilical chord has naturally fallen off, you can begin bathing your baby by placing them in a shallow tub of water.

Keep reading to find out all the information you need to know about giving your baby a bath. Before proceeding check out Feed Baby at Saasdiscovery which allows you to keep a record of everything about your baby.

Methods for Sponge Bathing a Baby

In the first few weeks of life, it is best to sponge bathe your newborn instead of using soap and water. The easiest approach to clean your newborn before the umbilical cord slips off is with this method.

While the incision heals from circumcision, boys should take sponge baths.

Anytime you need to clean your baby’s skin, hair, or nails without submerging them completely in water, all you need is a damp sponge and a little bit of time.

Make sure you have everything you need within reach before giving your infant a sponge wash. The room temperature should be kept at a reasonable level for your kid.

Needed Items

• anything soft to lay on, like a blanket or a towel, because of the hardness of the surface
• water that is neither hot nor cold
• bath towel
• baby-safe soap
• washcloth
• fresh diaper

Once you have all your materials, proceed as follows:

• Remove your baby’s clothing and diaper, and place them in a warm environment (about 75 degrees Fahrenheit or 23.8 degrees Celsius).
• The floor, a changing table, the sink counter, or your bed are all suitable places to lay your baby down. You should always use a safety strap or have at least one hand on your child if you have to raise them off the ground.
• Slowly unwrap the towel until you have exposed the portion of the body you are cleaning.
• It’s best to begin with the baby’s face and scalp, so wet a clean cloth in warm water and begin there. To prevent soap from getting into your baby’s eyes or mouth, use only warm water without soap for this step. Don’t forget to clean up the area above and behind the ears, as well as the creases in the neck and the skin around the eyes.
• Put a few of soapy drops into the hot water. Soap the washcloth and wring it out.
• The soapy water can be used to wash the remainder of your body, including the diaper area. Cleansing the genital and armpit areas is a must. Unless instructed otherwise by your baby’s doctor, you should avoid cleaning the penis to keep the wound dry after a circumcision.
• Make sure to dry your baby thoroughly, including in any folds of skin. Change into a new diaper. To keep their head toasty while you dry them off, use a hooded towel.
• You should take special care to keep the circumcision area of your newborn baby clean and dry as directed by his doctor. Healing from this normally takes around a week.

Baby Bathtub Care Instructions

Once the umbilical chord has fallen off, you can bathe your baby in a baby bathtub. Here are the proper procedures for giving your infant a bath:

• Put a few gallons of water into the tub. In most cases, a depth of 2 to 3 inches will suffice. Depending on the model, some tubs can be installed in either a standard sink or a standard bathtub.
• If you want to keep your infant from becoming chilly, you should put them in the water as soon as they are undressed.
• Baby’s head should be supported with one hand while the other is used to lower the infant into the tub on their feet. It is imperative that they keep their heads and necks above water at all times.
• In the bath, you can keep your infant warm by splashing or pouring warm water over them.
• Wash their face and hair with a washcloth and cleanse their scalp once or twice weekly.
• Use warm water or a damp washcloth to clean the rest of their body, starting at the top and working your way down.
• Carefully remove your infant and dry him or her off with a towel. The wrinkles in their skin must also be dried.
• Never, ever leave an infant unsupervised in a bathtub. Even a small amount of water is enough for them to drown in a short length of time.

Is It Better To Give A Kid A Thorough Bath Or Wash Him/ Her In The Sink?

Babies can be given a bath in sinks with special inserts. When you’re on the road or just running out of room at home, this may be a practical choice. If you must give your baby a bath in the sink, just remember to adjust the temperature of the water flowing out of the faucet to ensure that it isn’t too hot for your infant.

The full-size tub can be used after your child can sit up unassisted (about 6 months). Keep the water level in the tub at no more than a few inches and keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t submerge their head or neck.

Do You Need Soap?

Your newborn is gentle enough to be washed with baby wash or mild soap. Don’t use ordinary soap on your infant because it may be too harsh and cause skin dryness. Moisturizer is unnecessary on a newborn’s skin as well.

Baby Hair and Scalp Care Instructions

Your baby’s scalp and hair should be washed at least twice weekly. Baby shampoo can be massaged into your baby’s hair (if they have any) or into their scalp for a thorough cleansing. Use a wet washcloth to wipe it down and remove any residue.

Warm water can be poured over a baby’s head as you hold one hand over their forehead and gently tilt their head back in a baby tub. As they let the water run over the sides of their head, the shampoo will be washed away.

Your baby’s sensitive spot will not be harmed by a gentle hair wash, but if you are worried, you should discuss your concerns with your pediatrician. Your baby’s hair and scalp can be gently brushed to help relieve cradle cap. Avoid picking or scratching their scalp at any cost.

If You Could Set the Temperature of the Water, What Should it be?

The water temperature to bathe your kid should be warm, never hot. The optimal temperature is 98.6°F (between 37°C and 38°C). You can use a bath thermometer to monitor the temperature, or check the water with your wrist or elbow to confirm it’s warm and not hot.

Assure there are no hot spots by testing the water’s temperature at several points around the tub or baby bath. It is recommended to fill a tub or basin with cold water before switching to hot.

Your baby’s skin can be severely scalded at temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 degrees Celsius), therefore if you reside in a house, you should make sure the water heater is set to a safe temperature. You generally can’t alter the water heater if you live in an apartment complex or condo.

How Frequently Do Infants Require Bathing?

It’s possible that your newborn will only need three weekly baths in the first year. This is typically frequent enough if you wash the diaper region completely every time you change your kid.

It’s fine to give your infant a bath once a day or every other day, but much more than that and you risk drying up his or her skin. That’s especially the case if you use soap or other infant wash.

Signing Off:

Your baby should be supervised at all times when bathing. Never leave a newborn unattended around water.

Make sure the environment is warm enough, the water isn’t too hot, and the baby is kept covered in a towel (during a sponge bath) to keep them comfortable if they are fussy or don’t love bath time.

Bathing your kid in a full-size tub is safe and convenient after they are able to sit up alone. To keep baby entertained during the bath, try using a book or toy that floats in the water, but remember that bubble baths can be drying to a baby’s skin.