Baby Basics
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Bathing for first-timers
Until your baby’s umbilical cord comes off, you can’t immerse her in water because it prevents the cord from drying and may increase the risk of infection. “To sponge-bathe, put your baby in a reclined position and rub warm,slightly soapy water on small areas, patting dry quickly. Many parents prefer an infant tub, but the kitchen sink works fine, too,” says Brown. Here is her step-by-step advice for that all important first bath:
Get ready in advance.
Set these items by the tub or sink: two baby towels, a washcloth, two bowls of warm water (one soapy, one not), a baby comb, shampoo, a fresh diaper, and a clean outfit. Before you begin, make sure to do the “elbow test” on the water—it should feel warm, not hot. Place a towel in the infant tub or sink (you won’t be filling it with water). Put your naked baby onto the towel in the tub/sink. Cover all body parts not being actively cleaned with the towel.
Keep baby comfortable.
Expose one body part at a time (face to toes) and wash with the washcloth that has been immersed in the soapy water bowl. For first-timers, just use water to wash the face. “Getting soap in your newborn’s eyes might be too traumatic for you,” warns Brown. Take the other baby towel and dry the area that has been cleaned. Move on to another body part and repeat the process.
Be thorough.
Get into the creases behind the ears, under the neck, and under the arms. Shampoo the hair and rinse with warm water. Dry the head quickly. To maneuver this, hold the baby’s head in the crook of your elbow and wash with your other hand.
If your baby has cradle cap (seborrhea), which is basically baby dandruff, massage oil—vegetable or baby oil will work—into the scalp and then wash. Rinse, and then comb out the flakes with a baby comb. Do this two to three times a week, and you should see an improvement. It eventually goes away on its own, but for a severe case, consult your doctor.
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Comment by Lauren Taylor on Oct 03 2009 09:36:26:
To sponge bathing a baby, fill a medium-sized plastic bowl with very warm (not hot) water. Place the baby, (clothed only in a diaper and loosely wrapped in a towel)on the changing table, kitchen counter or bathroom vanity. I use a large beach or bath towel to pad the counter and a waterproof ad or sheet to protect it.
Start by using a wash cloth on the baby’s face speaking to her the whole time. Tell her you are cleaning her eyes, cheeks, nose, mouth, ears. Gently lift her head and clean all the folds in the neck. Immediately blot the face and neck with a towel so the baby doesn’t get cold. Move on to the arms, still explaining the process. Gently shake the arm to relax it so you can get into the armpit. Next clean the legs and feet being careful to get in between each little toe.
Remove the diaper and use baby wipes to clean any fecal matter before cleaning with the wash cloth. I use soap on the diaper area to be sure it is cleaned well. Blot dry and put on a fresh diaper.
Finally, wrap the baby in a towel so that only her head is uncovered. I then hold the infant in my left hand and wash the hair over the bowl or sink. I squeeze water on her head and add a drop of shampoo. If possible, I let the running tap water flow onto the baby’s head so she can enjoy her spa experience. Usually, I sing,”Raindrops keep falling on my head” while I shampoo the baby.
Once the cord is off, you can immerse the baby. Be sure the water is deep enough to keep her warm and nevr take your hands off her during the bath. Even when I immerse the baby, I always finish the body, diaper and wrap the baby in a towel before doing the head. This technique keeps the baby warmer and happier. Having a pacifier nearby and immersing the baby into the water slowly can help her adjust to the water. be sure to tell her as you put her feet in that it is water. Slowly lower her into the tub just as you would enter a tub. Most of the time, babies love going into the tub this way. When parents put the baby in the water too fast, they complain because they are confused.
Bath time is my favorite time so i try to make it a pleasant experience for everyone. I try to remember to have my camera in my apron pocket before I begin so I can capture those wondrous looks when the baby hits the water!
Comment by Emily Elizabeth Christian on Apr 07 2012 03:01:31:
This magazine needs to do some serious research about cloth diapering, as the claims of diaper rash are just not true, my children were covered in rash in disposable and never get one in cloth. I also think that anyone who claims disposables are more convenient has never used a modern cloth diaper. It's just insulting to me that someone would tell me what is more convenient for me, when actually, I find the leaks, odor, disposal and chemical exposure of disposable to be far less 'convenient' than an organic cotton diaper that gets washed and reused. Cloth diapering is easy, and for those of us who do it full time the 'disposables are more convenient' line is frustrating because it only ever comes from the voice of people who have never given cloth a fair shot.