Newborn Baby Bathing Tips in Simple Words

How often should I bathe My just born baby? Bathing a newborn baby is quite an event for first time parents and often for the first few times parents feel a little nervous giving their baby a bath. A question many new parents wonder is how often should I give my newborn a bath underlying this question are two other questions. Can you bath your baby too often and how often is enough to keep a newborn clean and healthy.

Let us look at the beliefs that underlie these questions. There are people who believe that a baby needs to be bathed every day. The belief is that you can never be too clean and so daily bathing is important. However for a baby this is not necessarily true, the human skin has natural oils that prevent infection and also chafing that is caused by everyday dirt and clothing. Too much bathing removes these oils and cause an increase in irritation. Also water and cleanser can actually damage the skin if they are used too frequently. If you do bathe your baby every day it is important to use a mild soap or cleanser designed specifically for use with babies to protect the natural oils on the little one s skin from being removed.

 Having recognized this point remember that it is also important that a baby s skin be kept clean to prevent infection or irritation. The face and diaper areas of skin are the places that are most likely to become dirty. It is these areas of the baby s body that need to be washed regularly whenever soiling has taken place If this is done then daily bathing is not necessary. There are no hard and fast guidelines as to how often a newborn should be bathed. If the baby is clean then a giving a bath every other day is perfectly adequate. When you do bath your baby remember that a baby s skin is delicate and make sure the water is not too hot. A tepid temperature is quite warm enough for a baby even though you personally may enjoy a hot bath. Many babies enjoy a bath and are soothed and relaxed after their bath time and more likely to sleep afterward.

Most babies and toddlers enjoy getting wet and splashing around in the bath tub while others may not Being prepared to make your child s experience a safe one is really important Here are 3 Bath Time tips

• Turn up the heat make sure the bathroom is a nice temperature preferably 70-75 degrees. We all know how uncomfortable it is for us to get out of the shower and its cold. We re used to it but babies on the other hand are not You can also take a nice shower right before you give your baby a bath so the bathroom is nice and warm.
• Make sure you have everything in the bathroom that you need prior to bath time. Keep them within reach so you can give baby all the attention and care that is needed It is not safe to leave any child in the bathroom unattended until they reach a responsible age and can bathe themselves. Making a bath time cubbie with all of your baby bath items is also helpful. That way all of the appropriate supplies are on hand.
•  Be sure to test the temperature of the bath water. Some baby bath tubs come equipped with a thermometer or a color indicator that lets you know if the water is too warm. Also as a rule of thumb put the cool water in first then add the hot water. Starting with hot water first can cause your tub can retain the heat and can burn your baby. For the babies and toddlers that seem to have a hard time you may want to provide them with something special that gives them incentive to get ready for bath time 

Safety  Tips For Baby Bathing

The first and most important rule is this: Never, ever leave your baby unsupervised, even for a minute. Give your baby a sponge bath until his umbilical cord has fallen off. (If he's been circumcised, wait until that heals, too.) After that, he'll be ready for a baby bathtub. A baby bath doesn't necessarily need to be done in a tub of water. Keep all medicines in containers with safety caps. Children can drown in less than an inch of water.

Choose one that has a contoured design or an internal sling that prevents your baby from sliding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off — which might take up to three weeks. Remember, however, that these caps are child-resistant, not childproof, so store all medicines and cosmetics high and out of reach in a locked cabinet. So gather all the supplies (soap, towel, clean diaper, clean clothes, etc.) you'll need ahead of time, and keep at least one hand on your baby while he's in the water. Never use a bath seat -- these can tip over when the suction cups fail, trapping your child underwater. If you'd like to give your baby a sponge bath, you'll need. Don't keep toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, and other frequently used items in the same cabinet. If the doorbell or phone rings and you feel you must answer it, scoop up your baby in a towel and take him with you. Believe it or not, there’s plenty to learn in the tub. When baby graduates to the big tub, Expert recommends using adhesive stickers or bath mats in the bottom of your tub to keep your mobile kids from sliding around (those mats and stickers come in cute designs, too!).Once kids emerge from the tub, Medline Plus suggests putting down a bath mat outside of the tub and teaching your child to stay seated in the tub.

Instead, store them in a hard-to-reach cabinet equipped with a safety latch or locks. Experiment with different bathing products. Tickle your little one’s senses by trickling water gently onto his belly — he’ll probably giggle with pleasure. They also likes to tell parents to use bath seats for younger kids because it helps keep them upright – and to always keep an eye on their kids. If your newborn still has the umbilical cord stump stick to simple sponge baths every few days so it stays dry and clean. Some children have more sensitive skin or dry skin; some children have eczema or different allergies or get more or fewer baths than a child in another family.

Pour a little water near him (his wide-eyed gaze will let you know he’s captivated), or teach him a lesson in cause-and-effect by showing him how to kick the water and create a splash (just always watch to be sure he seems to enjoy your actions). Don’t forget a play-by-play as you wash him — name his little body parts as you suds them (and then kiss them each, of course). He’ll be learning a tub-full of words before you know it! Babies don’t get very dirty, with the exception of their diaper area, and under their chins where spit-up tends to trickle, so pay careful attention to those parts. Use a trial-and-error period to find the right soap or cleansing solution that works for your child and does not cause any irritation.“What works with one child will cause itching in another one. You can skip the soap: some lukewarm water—not hot—is really all you need.