Tips on Bathing your Newborn
When it comes to bathing newborns lots of new parents get worried when it comes to washing their newborn for the first time, but practice does make perfect and the more you do it the more confident you’ll get. Bathtime can be great fun and a chance for Dad to bond with his new son or daughter. Midwife Sharon Trotter has this advice for bathing your newborn.
“Water only for the first month, that’s all you have to remember, it’s very simple.Treat premature babies the same up untl the date that they would’ve been due.Term babies who are very, very dry, should be left alone and still stick to plain water for the first month. We shouldn’t use bubble baths or baby wipes or shampoo. These things have detergents in them and they can dry the skin.”
So that’s what the expert thinks. Now it’s time to get started.
Rubber duck time…
Pick a time when both you and baby are feeling relaxed. Have everything you need close to hand, run the bath water - cold water first and when the temperature is correct gently lower baby into the water, supporting them throughout. Some babies may cry out and hate the bath but they’ll get used to it and before you know it they won’t want to pull out the plug.
Remember, it is dangerous to leave a child of any age in the bath unattended. If you need to leave the bathroom, take your child out of the water, wrap them in a towel and take them with you.
Bathing for beginners…
Have the bathroom nice and warm Get the water right (test temperature with your elbow) Undress baby Lower your baby into the water, supporting their head and neck gently Wash your baby with your free hand When you’ve finished, wrap your baby in a warm towel, dry them and pop on a clean nappy and fresh clothes
Washing hair…
Midwife Sharon Trotter also advises that you leave your newborns hair alone. She told us that “My babies had lots of thick hair, use a baby comb and wash their hair in warm water. You don’t need shampoo. The natural oils in the hair will keep their hair clean”.
If you do want to wash your little ones hair there are mild shampoos available on the market. However, be careful not to get shampoo in their eyes.
Top ‘n’ tail cleaning…
This is an alternative to bathing for your very young baby and all he/she really needs during its first weeks of life.
Top n’ tailing refers to cleaning your baby’s face, under arms and bottom.
Start off by undressing your baby but leave his her/nappy on and wipe your baby’s face, neck and ears with warm water and pat them dry. Clean your baby’s hands and arms - remove their nappy and wash the bottom and genitals. Remember, girls are cleaned from front to back and once dry put on a clean nappy and clothes.
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To find more great interviews just like this one, why not visit the My Baby Radio website, at http://www.mybabyradio.com/pregnancy-birth/bathing/
Posted By tyna 
Sep 24, 2008 
great tips.
but guess am covered, for lizzy - my fiancee,
already knows how to take good care of newborns.
she’s naturally drawn to babies…she loves them.
she bathe a day-old baby: guess that speaks much
for her.
beibees last blog post..Ways of Dying
Thanks for the great post! You know this is something I’ve been going through and your information is good to know. Pooh thanks you too!
Tom Sawyers last blog post..I Just Love This Little Girl!
[...] = ‘Bathtime for Baby’; I have to give props to Tyna over at Dreamcatcher for a good post on Bathing newborns. Her post offers some good tips, tips we’ve used with [...]
ohk,so i m not married but i still have read everything carefully as i would surely need it in future.
lolz..
sometimes, even if one doesn’t need it
in the future, one can pass on the tips
to others
beibees last blog post..Ways of Dying
It’s always marvelous to see how baby have a bath, especially newborn. You describe it very gently with good advice. Photo is very nice. He has so much hair! My nephew is 1 year and 6 month but he hasn’t so much.
As a Newbie, I am always searching for articles that can help me. Thank you.
Yet another fab post. Your blog is great. I love coming here to catch your latest ramblings.