How to Bathe My Baby in the Bathtub? With the arrival of a baby come many doubts and questions from parents, especially among first-time parents. Bath time is one of those precious moments for both the baby and the parents. Normally, the big question of how I bathe a baby in the bathtub comes to mind.
In this article, we have made a small guide for you to learn how to bathe your baby in the best way.
How to Bathe My Baby in the Bathtub
Initially, it is advisable to bathe your baby with a soft sponge, avoiding submerging them in water. This cannot be done until the navel has healed The first baths should be gentle and short; with the sponge, gradually wet the baby’s skin; the face should be washed with a soft damp cloth, avoiding getting water in the eyes or nose.
It is ideal for keeping the baby at a pleasant temperature, so it is recommended to wrap him in a towel and uncover his parts to wash them. It is important to wash the body’s folds (under the arms, neck, behind the ears, and in the genital areas).
Ready to be dipped!
Once the navel heals, the baby can be submerged in a bathtub. However, be careful not to submerge the baby’s head, as water may enter the ears, mouth or nose.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that an ideal baby bathtub should be made of rigid plastic with a textured, sloped surface. This prevents the baby from sliding out.
Tips for bathing in a bathtub
Before we start with the tips, we want to make it clear that the most important of them and that should always be present before bathing the baby is the following: never leave the baby alone in the bathtub for a second. A large number of drownings have been recorded for leaving babies alone in the tub, especially children under one year.
Now, the following tips will help you give your baby the most enjoyable bath experience:
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First bath: According to WHO, the first bath should occur after the first 24 hours of life. If bathing is necessary, wait at least 6 hours after birth;
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Appropriate temperature: it is essential to check that the water temperature is suitable for the baby – no one wants to get into a bathtub with too cold or hot water!
The idea is to ensure a comfortable temperature (lukewarm) at approximately 35 degrees; we can use a thermometer or test with the inside of the elbow or wrist. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that if the bathtub is to be filled directly from the tap, the water coming out of the tap should not exceed 49 °C (120 °F);
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Everything close at hand: it is important that before bathing your baby, you make sure that everything you will need is within reach so that you can always hold him with one hand and never let him out of your sight.
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Submerge your baby carefully: the bathtub should be filled with 5 cm or 2 inches of water. With one hand, you will hold his baby’s head at the back, and with the other, his little feet. Slowly immerse them while talking to them and making them feel confident. Remember not to submerge his face, so keep it out of the water. To prevent the part out of the water from getting cold, pour warm water on these parts to keep them warm.
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Soap, shampoo or shower gel: these products may cause dry skin if used in abundance, so try to use small portions of these products on your baby’s skin. When rinsing shampoo off your baby’s head, avoid running water onto their face with your hand.
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Let’s play: It is important that your baby associates bath time with an enjoyable, fun and loving time with their parents, so you can use toys to add interaction to bath time. However, when your baby is very young, he won’t need toys, but he can splash water. If you see that he likes that, let him do it! This helps build their confidence in the bath;
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Gently: Your baby is not ready for sudden movements, so when cleaning him, use a soft cloth and wipe his face, folds, and genitals very gently. The baby’s body should be cleaned from top to bottom;
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Time to dry him: the final bath step. Use small touches to dry him, and avoid dragging the cloth across his skin. It is important to cover him well when you take him out of the water; remember to keep him warm at all times, so wrap him in a cloth and cover his head.
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