Personally, bathing with your baby is one of the most thrilling experiences. It is just priceless to see them laugh, splash the water, play, and, of course, have that innocent, pure expression.
Bathing with your baby has several advantages that include strengthening the bond between parent and child, increasing skin-to-skin contact, increasing the parent’s and baby’s mental closeness, and making babies look forward to showering time without you having to run around making them a bath or bathing them while they’re crying.
While baby baths are fantastic, there are a few things to remember before participating in this fun baby bath time.
7 Things To Consider Before Bathing With Your Baby
1. Age Appropriateness
Infants only a few days old don’t require a proper bath; giving them one can cause issues. The child’s umbilical cord stump needs to recover and fall off fully, and the navel wound needs to heal entirely to reduce the risk of infection.
Before taking a bath with your child, think about their age. Bathing with kids makes sense if the child is still very little, but when they are toddlers and can communicate, it isn’t a good idea because these kids are constantly curious.
Although some parents believe that parental nudity is okay since it promotes body acceptance, others believe children’s minds are fragile and require protection. Moreover, only go ahead if you’re ready for the questions accompanying it.Â
2. Make Sure You Have Everything You Need For The Bath
When you enter the tub, ensure you have everything you’ll need nearby, including the materials you’ll use to bathe your child (body wash, shampoo, washcloths, towels).
If you forget something, skip it or, if you must have it right away, bring your child with you. Never, not even for a second, let your youngster play alone in the bathtub.
3. Make Sure You Use The Perfect Water
No matter how hot the weather is, you shouldn’t bathe with your baby while being selfish and only using water that is comfortable for you. Infants should only be bathed in soft, warm water, so if you must bathe them, be careful how much water you use.
Use a thermometer if you’re unsure of the temperature of the water, which should be no deeper than two to three inches and at body temperature or slightly warmer.
Moreover, it’s a good idea to set your home’s water heater thermostat to 120 F or lower to prevent accidental burns (parents will occasionally add more water to a child’s bath if it gets too chilly).Â
4. Use Baby Specific Products Only
Only use baby-specific, sensitivity-tested products on and in the water. A baby’s skin is particularly good at absorbing things applied to it.
Regarding how much soap to use and where to apply it, it is advised to use a small amount for filthy places, such as the diaper, because a baby’s skin barrier is still developing and can make them more sensitive to irritants and drying out.
Moreover, ensure you are stable in the tub and support your baby’s head with one arm while bathing them with the other.
5. Get A Steady Grip
Even sitting down, your infant might easily fall to the floor if you slip. If your tub doesn’t have a nonslip mat, lay one down right away to prevent you from sliding around.
Also, always keep both hands on your infant when you bathe her. Consider bending your knees and allowing your child to lie face-up against your thighs.
Ensure that your baby is secured and protected with every process, as their bodies are very sensitive to avoid unwanted accidents.
6. Don’t Stay In There For Long!
The underlying appeal of bathing your child is that it’s an activity you can do together for weeks on end. So naturally, by that time, taking a bath with your child will focus more on water play, but be careful not to linger too long.
Playful bath time should only last a short while because kids require warmth, and being in the tub for too long could cause them to get a cold, which is not what you want.
Ensure to keep bath time as short and fun as possible, and there be plenty of baths together, so consider this factor.
7. Be Very Sensitive; These Kids Are Always Curious
Bathing your infant can sometimes be highly harmful, especially if your child is overly curious about everything, as it might cause them to lose their fear of the water or become too free and view it as a friend.
You might need to take extra precautions if your home has a pool or other open water source to prevent your infant from crawling over to play by themselves.
This carries a significant risk. Hence, keep that in mind when thinking about bathing your child.
Why We Encourage You To Bath With Your Baby
Bathing a baby together can strengthen relationships and positively affect the mother and the child. These are some explanations for why a mother would think of bathing her child:
- Bonding: Bath time may be an excellent time to connect with your baby and develop a close, skin-to-skin relationship, which can help them feel loved and safe.
- Relaxation: There isn’t a more calming way to conclude the day with your child than a relaxing bath to ease their tension. Water is a natural sedative and a soothing method for a fussy infant.
- Learning: Bathing a baby while learning how to handle and care for her can be an excellent experience for new mothers. When she watches her child’s actions in the water, the mother can learn how to keep them secure and comfortable.
Bathing with your baby is another way to learn new things about them, from how they react to certain things and what they like. If you’re very observant with that, you can learn to understand and know your baby and what they need on time.
- Skin-to-Skin Contact: Bathing a baby enables parents to touch their children’s skin. The main effects of this act on babies’ ability to control their body temperature, bond with their mothers, and breastfeed successfully have all been noted.
- Convenience: If the mother is nursing, washing a baby together can be more convenient than bathing the child separately. During the bath, the mother can simply hold the baby and attend to its urgent requirements.
Bathing together can help ease some of the tension associated with breastfeeding requirements because breastfeeding can be highly stressful initially, especially for new mothers.
- Fun: Bathing together can be enjoyable for the mother and the child. While the infant plays with toys or splashes around in the water, the mother could appreciate seeing them relax and grin.
Indeed, many parents eagerly anticipate this great time. Make sure to laugh at them, sing, and have amusing conversations with them. It promotes friendship and a fun time spent together while also aiding in developing their cognitive abilities.
How To Bath A New Born – An Easy Guide
Step One – Fill The Baby Tub Or Sink With Some Warm Water.
Only warm water should be added to the tub or sink to cover your baby’s body from the bottom up. Never submerge them in flowing water. Instead, use the inside of your wrist or elbow to feel the water’s temperature to ensure it is at the proper level.Â
At about 100°F, it should feel warm rather than hot. It all depends on what feels most comfortable, whether using a baby tub or bathing in the sink. Use a baby tub, but set it down on a flat surface.
Step Two – Keep Baby Covered During Bath.
Your baby can lose body heat quickly, even in a warm bath. Therefore, keep a warm washcloth over them and replace it as necessary.
Step Four – Go Slow And Stay Calm
Take your time and move slowly. You can help your infant relax by being calm. Make sure both of you feel secure and safe in your arrangement. When you first start bathing your baby, be prepared for them to cry. If they seem a little fussy, speak and sing to them softly.
Crucial reminder: Keeping your hands close to you is essential to be composed. Here, having an extra pair of hands can be beneficial.
Step Five: Start With The Baby’s Face, Then The Rest Of The Body.
Your baby’s face should be cleaned gently with a warm washcloth, paying specific attention to the areas around the mouth, behind the ears, and under the chin because these areas are familiar hiding places for milk and drool.
Rinse the washcloth and wash the rest of their body, ensuring they get in all the nooks and crannies, such as between their fingers and toes and under their arms.
Wash girls’ genitals from front to back and between their skin folds when it comes to their private regions. Boys, circumcised or not, should clean their penis. Use warm, clean water for one last rinse cycle after you’re through.
Step Six – Avoid Lotions And Powders Unless Advised
When a baby is finished with their bath, hug and cover them in a warm towel. Despite the temptation to cover them in baby lotion, babies already have soft, supple skin, so they don’t require it.
If your baby’s doctor recommends a hypoallergenic lotion or oil for something like eczema, warm it between your palms and gently rub it on the problematic regions. Powders should also be avoided unless expressly advised by your baby’s doctor.
Appropriate Positions For Bathing With Your Baby
1. Place Your Baby’s Face Up Between Your Legs
Get in the tub and cross your legs. Then, place your infant between your legs so that they are staring up at you.
Because of how sturdy this posture is, your baby will be secure the entire time. It’s also in a perfect position for them to look up and create eye contact with you while you converse and get to know one another while taking a bath.
2. Place Your Baby Face Down On Your Chest
Lie back against the bathtub wall while holding your infant close to your chest. You may feel the love that helps new parents bond with their babies wafting about you in this beautiful position.
So be especially careful to support your baby’s neck when small, so they don’t bounce around on you.
3. Use A Baby Chair While Showering With Your Baby
As you may have guessed, one of the most crucial elements to a pleasant showering experience with your baby is having a baby’s bath chair.
As you stand and take a shower, you may put your baby in the baby chair with confidence that it will remain secure and sturdy. You don’t have to worry about holding onto their slick body as you wash and rinse.
You can pick up your baby later while showering or simply wash them while they are still in the baby chair.
4. Hold Your Baby So They Are Facing You
Face your infant while cuddling with them. You can support them against your chest by placing one arm across their back and shoulder and the other under their bum. When your child grows, you can support them on your hip.Â
Yet, it may be challenging to feel solid in this posture right away when your baby is still a young infant. I suggest choosing a waterproof baby carrier to feel more secure if you’re concerned about your slippery infant. Particularly the first few times as you adjust to everything.
As your child grows, you may support and stabilize yourself more by balancing them on your hip.
5. Hold Your Baby So They Are Facing Away From You
You can flip your hold and have your baby look away from you if they are a little older and have more neck control. Again, place your arm over your baby’s chest and between their knees to get the most support possible.
Feel free to balance your baby on your hip in this position, giving you more support while using your other arm to balance and clean your child.
Conclusion
Bathing with your baby has several advantages, as I mentioned earlier, which of course, include a beautiful bonding experience between a parent and child.
However, while this is okay, safety measures should be put in place to ensure the safety and comfort of your baby while bathing together, and the tips provided in this article are a great way to go about that.
In other words, this guide will help parents create a safe space while bathing with their babies and have a wonderful experience while at it.