For all new parents, baby’s first bath can be a daunting experience. Here are our top 10 tips to ensure it is a relaxing and calm experience for everyone involved!
- You will be glad to hear that at first, your baby will only need a bath a few times a week. Just make sure that you clean their face, tummy and bottom area on non-bath days.
- Once you think that your baby is ready for a bath every day, make sure you are prepared. Ensure that you create a regular routine and that you have everything to hand in the bathroom.
- It is important to decide where you will bathe your baby, some parents are happy with the bath whereas others prefer the basin as it’s the perfect size for baby. There is no right or wrong way, so just go with the option you are both comfortable with.
- So once you’ve run your bath (or basin), you need to ensure that you don’t scald your baby. The best way to avoid this to run cold water first then top it up with warm water. Check the temperature using either your elbow, if it’s too hot for you it will definitely be too hot for baby, or using a bath thermometer. Make sure that you don’t fill the bath up too much, about 5-8cm is deep enough for baby.
- Start the bathing process by undressing your baby down to their diaper and wrapping them in a towel, in the bathroom.
- Next, use separate pieces of cotton wool soaked in cool water and wash your baby’s face, ears, around the eyes, the neck and under the chin.
- Now it’s time to remove your baby’s towel and diaper and lower them gently into the water. Hold your baby firmly around the their upper back so they can use your forearm as a support, or alternatively use a baby bath support or, a non-slip bath mat. Just remember, never leave your baby unsupervised in bath, not even for one second!
- Using a mild and PH neutral body wash, wash your baby. For the hair, make sure that you use a shampoo with a “no tears” formula and rinse extremely well. Alternatively, you could add a drop of almond essential oil to your baby’s bath water as this is a great way of keeping your newborn’s skin soft.
- Play with your baby for a couple of minutes before lifting your baby carefully out of the bath and wrapping them in a cuddly towel. Once dry, apply baby lotion and dress them ready for bed.
- It is not unusual for your baby to cry and fuss at bath time, if this happens, try cutting the number of baths to a couple of times a week. If you do this, don’t forget to clean your baby’s face and bottom area on non-bath days.
