A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Bathe A Newborn Baby

Giving your newborn, their first bath can be pretty challenging when you have a first-time parent. But do not fret. You have our step-by-step guide on how to bathe a newborn baby, which this blog mentions.We have included all that you need, the time for giving a bath, the place to provide a bath for the baby, and all the safety tips you need to remember while bathing a newborn baby.We have also mentioned some tips for preparing the bath for the newborn baby that can be useful to new parents.

Where to bathe a newborn baby? Follow this guide for how to bathe a newborn baby:

You can bathe a newborn baby in a small tub until they are old enough to sit and handle some pressure on their necks. Ideally, a small tub is perfect for bathing them initially. Also, Read Vaccination Schedule for Newborn: What You Need To Know

When is the best time to bathe your baby?

You can bathe your baby at any time during the day. Pick a time when you are relaxed and give proper time and attention to the baby. Try not to bathe the baby when you are hungry or have fed the child.If a bath can help relax the baby, you can use it to settle it in the evening and after a bath. 

Bath time preparations -

Prepping for bath time is better as this can create less hassle while giving the bath to the newborn-Some tips while prepping for a bath for a newborn are-

• Establish a perfect place and time for bathing the baby. Label that time as bath time.
• Keeping the room nice and clean can help while cleaning the baby while bathing.
• Gather all the products, towels, and creams in the same place and keep a change of clothes and diapers along with all these things.
• Start with a few inches of warm water in a tub and ensure no hot spots.

Safety tips while setting up a bath for the newborn baby-

• Keep your phones away and handle anything that requires attention before setting up the tub.
• Drowning can be a risk while bathing a newborn baby, so you must be attentive. Do not fill the tube; keep the water in another tub with a sponge and soap.
• At all times, keep your eyes on the baby. 
• Take any jewelry or watches away while giving the bath.
• Check the temperature of the water and keep it slightly warmer than the average room temperature.
• Pat dry with a towel and dress your baby on the towel. Wrap the baby in the towel and keep them in a cot after drying and dressing.
• Empty the bath as soon as you are finished, and get the baby dressed in the bedroom.

Also Read: Newborn Baby Massage - All You Need To Know

The basic steps while bathing a newborn baby-

1. It is essential to check the temperature of the water before putting the baby in the tub. Now support the neck of the baby with the right hand. Use the left hand to bathe the baby.
2. Additionally, put a non-slip mat on the floor and in the bathroom. To prevent any mishaps of slipping or slipping products on the floor.
3. Fill the bathroom tub with enough water to clean the baby and check the temperature. Try to keep it constant at all times.
4. Gently clean the eyes and the head of the baby with a dampened, warm cotton ball and wipe the insides of the eye.
5. Wipe the baby's face with a soft washcloth and work from the middle to the outside.
6. Clean all the body parts of the baby softly with the bath sponge.
7. Use a baby hair shampoo to clean the hair of the baby, and use a warm cloth to rinse afterward.
8. Shampoo the baby's hair at the last step of the bathing process. As this step will require significant concentration and hand support, you must pay full attention to your baby.
9. Gently lift the baby from the tub and wrap them in a soft dry towel to keep them warm.
10. After the bath, dry the baby well, moisturize all the creases, and avoid irritating the skin.
11. Pat the skin dry to avoid irritation from scraping or rubbing the towel's fabric on the baby's soft skin.

Take care of these points while bathing a newborn baby-

• Never leave the baby alone in a bathtub. It will be best not to leave the baby in the tuba as they can slip down, and there can be a mishap.
• Do not leave the baby for a second as if you would want to go and do some work. It can have some repercussions.
• Always be mindful of the temperature of the water. It should neither be too warm nor too cold.
• When bathing a newborn, use as little water as needed and a bath sponge to clean the baby.
• Do not be too hard with the sponge, as it can tear the baby's soft skin. 
• Do not leave the small pieces of the sponge alone. They can be a choking hazard for the baby.

How often should you bathe your baby?

A bath can be taken 2 to 3 times a week is enough for a baby. They do not require a bath every day, and there can be more baths based on the child's weather and need or if the baby's skin becomes dry.Keeping the baby clean using warm water and cotton or wool sponges is essential. Moreover, you should not bathe a baby for more than 5 - 10 minutes as this can cause the baby's skin to dry out and cotton wool.Also, read about the First Four Weeks of A Newborn

Conclusion -

The best way of bathing a newborn baby has been mentioned in this blog. While a newborn is sensitive, taking care of their hygiene is essential. Thus, it would help if you cleaned them two to three times a week. Giving a bath to newborns requires utmost care and attention. You should take care of all the points mentioned in this blog and follow the precautions like picking them up, holding them firmly in your arms, and cleaning them with unperfumed products. If you take care of the above points, it will be effortless to bathe your newborn baby.Also, read about: Newborn Week: Top 7 Newborn Care Tips