Baby Bath

Bath time is about so much more than just washing your baby's skin. In fact you can make it into what ever you like, a relaxing and soothing time just before bedtime or a chance to extend play time and have some fun and laughs. Whether you use a baby bath, laundry tub or even a bucket, bath time is all about spending time together.

Baby Bath tips.

Here are a few bath time tips to keep in mind no matter how old your child is:

Never leave a child unattended in the bath.

Don't plan a bath for when your baby is over tired.

Bath water should be approximately 37-39°C.

Avoid a draughty location and if possible heat the room to a comfortable temperature.

Prepare everything you will need in advance and place it within arm's reach.

Prepare an area to place your baby as they come out from the bath and lay the towel out ready.

When washing start with the cleanest and most delicate areas first and work through to the dirtiest.

Never place or push anything inside your baby's ear to clean them. A gentle wipe on the exterior of the ear is all that is necessary.

Girls- Always wash a girl's genitals from front to back.

Boys- do not attempt to pull the foreskin back to clean underneath it. This will occur naturally over the first few years. If your son has been recently circumcised avoid tub bathing until the wound has healed.

Bath time naturally leads to massage time afterwards. Have everything ready for your massages like your baby lotion, so that baby does not become cold.

Keep your baby fresh.

Young babies don't need bathing very often. They don't get dirty in the way older, crawling babies do. You can keep your baby clean and fresh by 'topping and tailing', also known as a sponge bath. It's also handy for older babies if you are away or even if you just run out of time for the full bath routine.

Either cotton wool or two soft clean cloths

bowl or sink of warm water

hand towel for drying

a fresh diaper and clean clothes, if necessary

bin or bucket for waste.

Wash your hands. Lay your baby on his back, either on your lap, a changing mat or somewhere clean, dry and warm. For an older child have them sit on your lap or stand next to you.

Undress him, leaving his diaper on.

Wipe your baby's face, neck and ears with a damp WashCloth or cotton wool.

Dry with more cotton wool or a dry cloth.

If your baby has a 'sticky eye', clogged up with dried mucus, wipe each eye from the inside corner to the outside, using a piece of cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled water (use a clean piece of cotton wool for each eye and wipe only once with each ball).

Now wipe his underarms and hands with a WashCloth or cotton wool or the cloth, and dry with a cloth or towel.

Take off the diaper. With a newborn, wash any dried discharge that may have come from the cord stump.

Wash the bottom and the genitals well. Wipe girls from front to back. Pat dry.

Massage your baby with baby lotion to soothe and relax your little one for bed time.

Place a clean diaper on your baby, and dress him.

NEWBORN BABY BATH

Bathing your baby is about more than getting him clean. It's a chance to play with him and spend time with him - and it is fun for both of you. It's also a great opportunity for dad to get hands on and involved in the daily routine. Your newborn may take some time to get used to the idea of bath time and become distressed when all of his clothes are removed. This phase usually passes quite quickly.

For the first few weeks you don't need soap or anything 'cleansing' like baby bath liquid or shampoo, water is fine. You need only bath your newborn 2-3 times a week.

Avoid tub bathing of your newborn until the cord stump has fallen away and healed, until then it is only necessary to give a sponge bath.

Lay a wet flannel or cloth across your baby's chest to keep him warm.

If you take your baby into the bath with you then you'll need someone to pass the baby to you, and take him from you when he's finished.

Talk, sing and play games with your baby, so he learns to enjoy it as a special time with you.

Always check the water temperature. Use your wrist, as this is more sensitive to heat than your hand, or use a bath thermometer. It's a good idea to fill the bath with cold water first, and then add hot. That way you don't heat up the bottom of the bath and risk burns, and you also avoid the slight chance that you'll put your baby in a bath that's scalding hot (because of forgetting to add cold water). Finally run cold water through the tap to ensure that the tap head is cold.

Hold your baby steady. If your baby is in a conventional bath (not a sit-in tub) support him across his shoulders, so his head is against your forearm. If he's in a tub, hold him under his arms with one arm. That way, you get a spare arm for bathing your baby's body all over.

If your baby is not enjoying himself and is showing signs of distress, just do the basics and get him out. You can try again in a couple of days, perhaps try bathing at a different time of day.

Avoid giving a bath immediately following a feed.

Massaging your newborn is a lovely way to get to know her body and expressions.

A separate baby baths isn't essential, though they can be a good idea, giving you more freedom of movement - and they're portable, to allow you to bath your baby in a warmer room. You can buy baths in a tub-like design, which means your baby can be upright, or you could use a new washing-up bowl for a tiny baby.

Your baby's umbilical cord stump dries and drops off within a week to ten days of his birth. You may receive advice from the hospital to clean this area daily or there is another opinion that excessive cleaning of the area is not necessary and simply keeping the area clean and dry is adequate. If you notice any redness, discharge or other signs of infection, ask your doctor for advice.