How to bathe a newborn: tips for new mothers

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The birth of a new family member brings mom and dad a lot of positive emotions, a feeling of boundless happiness and, of course, a million new worries. How to store breast milk, what diapers to use, whether it is possible to walk in bad weather, whether to give the baby a pacifier and, of course, how to properly bathe a newborn - these are the questions that concern all parents without exception. The last of them is worth dwelling on in more detail.

When can I start?

So, immediately after birth, the baby undergoes its first hygienic cleansing procedure. In the following days of being in the maternity hospital, the child can only be gently washed or wiped using wet sanitary napkins. When can I bathe a newborn in a bath? Only after the umbilical wound heals, that is, already on the 7-10th day of life. At the same time, one should remember about cleanliness, hygiene and safety: the container in which the baby bathes must be washed, without sharp corners and chips.

If the house where the baby is growing is kept clean and hygienic, then you can use an ordinary bathroom. At the same time, before bathing a child, you just need to thoroughly wash it using baking soda (you should never use special products with chlorine).

Secret "Bathing Techniques"

You can learn from your local pediatrician, grandmothers or more experienced friends about how to properly bathe a newborn, but their advice is not always helpful. However, there are rules that all parents must adhere to without exception:

• you need to bathe the baby daily. During the day, the child “spoils” at least 40 diapers and burps after each feeding, so frequent water procedures will only benefit him;
• do not abuse foams, shampoos and bathing gels - you can use them no more than once a week. It is also not necessary to use herbal decoctions and infusions without the appointment of a pediatrician. For children of one month of age, several crystals of potassium permanganate can be dissolved in water;
• bathing water does not have to be boiled. The main thing is to keep it clean and free of foreign visible impurities (rust, dirt, etc.);
• it is important to maintain the correct temperature of the water in the tub. It should be in the range of 36-38 degrees. Bathing time should be at least 10 minutes;
• you can't leave your baby alone in the water even for a second.

After swimming?

Knowing how to properly bathe a newborn is not enough. Afterwater procedures must also follow certain rules:

• getting the baby out of the water, you need to put it on a soft cloth and gently blot the whole body. In no case should you rub the skin with a towel - this can damage it;
• a light massage will benefit the child. Gentle strokes improve blood circulation, relieve muscle hypertonicity and provide complete relaxation of the body;
• You can dress the baby only after the skin is completely dry;
• do not use a lot of creams, oils and powders - this can disrupt the water balance of the baby's delicate skin. A diaper cream will suffice.

All of the above recommendations are mandatory. The remaining points regarding how to properly bathe a newborn should be determined by parents individually.