Bathing Your Baby: Sponge Bath

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Your baby’s first baths are usually sponge baths, since you need to keep the cord area dry until the stump falls off, usually ten days to two weeks after the birth (Darin’s stumps fails off at ten days after birth). A sponge bath also helps reduce the risk of infection in the circumcision area. You should probably plan to use sponge baths for one to three weeks after the birth, depending on the circumstances. Talk to your doctor.

Checklist

Prepare a checklist and have everything ready so you do not have to leave your baby or take him out of the bath to retrieve something.

Temperature

Make sure the room temperature is comfortable so your baby does not get too cold. You can keep him covered with an extra towel as you clean different parts of his body.

Bathtub

Use a small plastic tub lined with a bath sponge for security. Set up the plastic tub in the kitchen sink or regular bathtub.

Position

Lay your baby in the tub (without water). Hold him firmly (bud not too tight!) so he feels secure.

Washing

Wash your baby’s face and hair gently with a little water and a washcloth. Then wash his body with mild soap and a wet washcloth. Be gentle as you clean your baby. His skin is sensitive, and these first washings can help prepare him for the next step-the tub filled with water.

Rinsing

Rinse off the soap with a little water, being careful not to get the cord wet. Be especially gentle around your baby’s genitals, especially if he is been circumcised. Rinse the washcloth frequently to keep it from spreading germs. Check the folds and crevices in your baby’s skin to make sure you got them clean.

Drying

If you cant, dry each are after you have washed it, to prevent your baby from getting chilled. Otherwise, dry your baby with a soft towel when you are finished washing. A hooded towel works best because you can keep your baby’s head warm. Chat with him as you dry him, using a soft voices and a pleasant look.

Splish Splash: Keeping Baby Clean

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Some babies love bath time. They giggle, coo, splash, kick, and generally enjoy the water. Other babies do not like it so much. They cry, squirm, and fight the entire process. The best way to achieve bath time bliss is preparation.
Gradual start
Some babies do not enjoy new experiences and need to ease into the tub slowly. Start with a sponge bath so your baby can get used to the feeling of the water, then move to a small bathtub with only a little water so she can get used to the new environment.
Size
A big bathtub may be frightening to a baby who’s used to more confined spaces such as an infant seat or cot. Use a smaller tub to begin with, so your baby feels more secure. A smaller tub makes handling your baby easier, too
Temperature
Make sure the water temperature is comfortable for your baby. Water that is slightly warmer than room temperature is usually okay. Check the temperature occasionally to make sure it is still comfortable.
Security
Babies who do not like the bath may feel insecure in a slippery tub. Hold your unsure baby firmly to keep her from slipping around in the water and to make her feel secure.
Safety
Never ever leave your baby unattended in the bath-not even for a second. She can drown in less than a couple of centimeters of water.
Prevention
Turn your hot water service down to 49 degree Celsius or lower. If the hot water tap is accidentally bumped, your baby will not be scalded.
Frequency
You do not need to give your baby a bath every day, especially if she does not like it yet. Every other day or twice a week is fine in the beginning. Your baby’s skin is tender and does not get very dirty. Just make sure to keep the nappy area clean.
Enjoyment
Bathing your baby is a wonderful way to enhance your bond. Although the primary purpose is cleaning your baby, bath time can soothe and unsettled baby, calm a cranky baby, and relax a wakeful baby enough to get her to sleep.

Moving into the Bathtub

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When the cord falls off and the circumcision heals, it is time for a regular bath.

Prepare

Set up the equipment ahead of time so you are completely prepared. Make sure the room is not drafty or cold. (Somewhere between 220C and 250C should be fine). If you are not planning to climb in with your baby, place the plastic baby tub in the regular tub, The baby tub will help control her position and make bathing easier for both of you. If you want, include a body-shaped sponge for extra support.

Add water

Fill the baby tub with a few centimeters of water for the first bath. Add more as your baby gets used to the sensation. There is no need to fill the bath too full, since this can be dangerous for your baby. Make sure the water temperature is comfortable-not too cool and not too warm.

Introduce baby

Place your baby in the tub and chat with her for a few minutes. Dribble water over her arms and legs to introduce the sensation and demonstrate (hopefully) that the experience is pleasurable. Keep an eye on her at all times.

Wash

Use water and mild soap on your baby’s body, but only water on her face. Baby shampoo is not necessary until your baby has good head of hair. Until then, mild soap is fine. Do not forget to pay special attention to the folds and crevices of her body.

Play

If your baby is enjoying her bath, let her spend some time playing in the water. Try to have fun with her during bath time. Besides bath toys, supply her with decorative washcloths, safe kitchen gadgets, and other objects that will make the experience pleasurable. Take her in the big tub occasionally and enjoy some bath fun together.

Wrap up

Wrap your baby in a hooded towel and hold her for a few minutes. Praise her and reassure her. Use a soft towel to blot her dry rather than rubbing her tender skin. Take her to the changing able and let her spend a few more minutes naked, if she is warm and enjoying herself. There is no deed to use lotions or powders after the bath, especially if your baby has sensitive skin. They can cause more harm than good.

If Baby Hates the Bath

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Here are some tips for helping your baby enjoy his bath

• Take your time. Rushing the process may make your baby tense.
• Give your baby a massage before, during, or after the bath.
• Make sure the water temperature is comfortable, the bathtub feels secure, and you are holding your baby firmly.
• Give your baby a bath when he is in a good mood.
• Make bath time fun by playing with your baby while he is in the tub.
• Try to make sure the soap does not get in your baby’s eyes.
• Handle your baby gently as you bathe him.
• Get in the tub with your baby.
• If all else fails, finish up quickly and remove him. Reassure him that he is safe. If he continues to hate tub baths, go back to sponge baths for a while, and gradually make the transition to tub baths when you think he is ready.
  
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Bath Time Play

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Here are some fun things you can do with your baby while she is in the tub.

• Read stories and nursery rhymes.
• Sing songs.
• Make funny noises with your hands or mouth.
• Massage her with water.
• Float her on her back (holding her securely).
• Sprinkle her lightly with water.
• Gently splash water around her (being careful not to splash her face)
• Pour water over her arms, legs, and body.
• Put plastic stickers on the side of the tub for her to look at.
• Draw on the side of the tub with special crayons designed for water use.
  
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Other Bath Time Necessities

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Wrap up bath time with cuddling and other activities, as needed.


Brushing hair
Brush your baby’s hair to make it look nice and to stimulate the follicles. Brushing helps reduce cradle cap, too.

Trimming nails
Trim your baby’s nails after the bath (when they are soft) so she does not scratch her face.

Treating nappy rash.
Watch for early signs of redness so you can prevent a full-blown rash

Cleaning the cord stump.
Clean the cord stump with cotton balls (or swabs) and alcohol until it dries up and falls off.

Fresh nappy
Give your baby a little naked time before applying a clean nappy.

Fresh clothes
A clean outfit will keep your baby warm and make her look adorable.


Caution: be extremely cautions with cotton swabs if you plan to clean your baby’s ears. Only clean the outer part of the ear (what you can see). Do not put the swab into the ear canal. You can do severe damage to your baby’s eardrum if you probe too deeply or lose your grip. Your doctor will examine your baby’s ears and ear canals when you go in for checkups.

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