Bathing a newborn can be challenging, especially when the parent and the infant are both learning a new skill. Yet, if the baby enjoys it, the parents will also find it rewarding. And with these few simple tips, you can be confident that things can go much more smoothly.

Supplies:

You will need a sink or basin, soft towel, baby shampoo and soap, a baby sponge/scrubber, and a small cloth. Have all of these supplies next to the sink or bath, ready to use, before you begin bathing the newborn.

Water temperature:

The temperature of the water should be warm. Feeling the temperature with your hand is not the best method, because it can handle hotter temperatures. Instead, use your elbow to test the water. It would be better to err by having the water too cool than too hot. As you lower your newborn into the water, watch his reaction to the temperature and make changes if necessary.

Hold:

If both parents are helping with the bath, then one can hold the baby while the other does the washing. However, if one adult is doing it alone, it will take more planning. This is where a baby bathing chair or support device comes in handy, but is not essential. Use one hand to hold the infant under the neck and head. Make sure to hold the head above the water, but still allow the majority of the body to be immersed. The other hand will do the washing.

Keeping baby warm:

If the newborn gets cold, the bath will become a miserable experience. At this age, the bath should be short enough that the water will stay sufficiently warm. To help the infant stay covered in water, dip a small cloth into the water and lay it on the infant’s chest and tummy. After a minute or two, re-dip the cloth in water to re-warm it. Another tip to keeping your infant warm is to get the head wet very last.

Washing:

Begin by washing the most important parts first, in case the bath time gets shortened. Be sure to wash the genitals, the hands and feet, and the neck. The head and face should be washed very last to help keep the baby warm. When washing the hair, use a soft, brush scrubber to massage and scrub the scalp. This will help prevent or treat cradle cap. Once the soap and shampoo has been rinsed off, the baby will probably be ready to get out.

Drying off:

With the same hand you used to scrub the infant, place a towel on your chest. Lift the baby out of the water and into the towel. Try to dry off the baby well before exposing him to cool air. When you take off the wet towel, replace it by covering the baby with a dry blanket, and then begin to dress the infant. This is also a great time for infant massage.

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Bathing a newborn can be challenging, especially when the parent and the infant are both learning a new skill. Yet, if the baby enjoys it, the parents will also find it rewarding. And with these few simple tips, you can be confident that things can go much more smoothly.

Supplies:

You will need a sink or basin, soft towel, baby shampoo and soap, a baby sponge/scrubber, and a small cloth. Have all of these supplies next to the sink or bath, ready to use, before you begin bathing the newborn.

Water temperature:

The temperature of the water should be warm. Feeling the temperature with your hand is not the best method, because it can handle hotter temperatures. Instead, use your elbow to test the water. It would be better to err by having the water too cool than too hot. As you lower your newborn into the water, watch his reaction to the temperature and make changes if necessary.

Hold:

If both parents are helping with the bath, then one can hold the baby while the other does the washing. However, if one adult is doing it alone, it will take more planning. This is where a baby bathing chair or support device comes in handy, but is not essential. Use one hand to hold the infant under the neck and head. Make sure to hold the head above the water, but still allow the majority of the body to be immersed. The other hand will do the washing.

Keeping baby warm:

If the newborn gets cold, the bath will become a miserable experience. At this age, the bath should be short enough that the water will stay sufficiently warm. To help the infant stay covered in water, dip a small cloth into the water and lay it on the infant’s chest and tummy. After a minute or two, re-dip the cloth in water to re-warm it. Another tip to keeping your infant warm is to get the head wet very last.

Washing:

Begin by washing the most important parts first, in case the bath time gets shortened. Be sure to wash the genitals, the hands and feet, and the neck. The head and face should be washed very last to help keep the baby warm. When washing the hair, use a soft, brush scrubber to massage and scrub the scalp. This will help prevent or treat cradle cap. Once the soap and shampoo has been rinsed off, the baby will probably be ready to get out.

Drying off:

With the same hand you used to scrub the infant, place a towel on your chest. Lift the baby out of the water and into the towel. Try to dry off the baby well before exposing him to cool air. When you take off the wet towel, replace it by covering the baby with a dry blanket, and then begin to dress the infant. This is also a great time for infant massage.

Similar Articles:

• Child Bathtime Safety
• Flavorful Food in Five Simple Steps
• Part Two - Three Steps to Sleep
• Part One - Baby Day Planner?
• Toilet Training in a Day
• Consequences: Following Through
• BabyQuestions101, a baby website for parents, by parents
• Newborn’s Tears- The Why’s of Infant Cries
• Time-Out From Positive Reinforcement
• Take Time to Sign