Bathing your baby

This is one activity which not many babies take a liking to very easily in the beginning, as most of them hate being undressed and getting wet, though there are some who enjoy it too. As a parent, you too may find holding a slippery and restless baby a little unnerving. In such a case, giving your baby a sponge bath could be a good idea. Feed your baby if you need to before bathing him, to prevent him from getting hunger pangs.

Sponge bath:

• To start with, ensure that everything you need is at hand: bowls of warm water – one with baby wash, the other for rinsing – and a sponge or soft washcloth.
• Spread a large towel over your lap. Wear an apron to keep yourself dry, preferably a terry cloth with a waterproof backing that will be softer against your baby’s skin than plastic. Undress your baby a little at a time, and keep him wrapped in a towel to keep him warm.
• Use a wrung-out sponge to prevent water dripping on your baby.
• First, wipe the baby’s face while being careful of the areas around the eyes and mouth. Pat dry, if necessary. It’ll be good to keep drying the baby’s part simultaneously as you finish cleaning.
• The other areas to be followed are the chest, not to forget the folds and underarms, back, legs and finally the feet.
  

Complete bath:

As already mentioned, all accessories must be kept ready before giving the baby a bath. A clean kitchen sink or a portable tub would be ideal for bathing in the initial stage. A rubber mat or foam support at the bottom of the tub can help make it less slippery and give your baby more grip. The tub should be well supported on a waterproof surface without any draft. Ensure that the room is warm enough. The water should be tepid or lukewarm, about 90 degrees Fahrenheit and not hot. The best way to check the temperature of the water is to dip your elbow into the water, as the skin of that area is particularly sensitive, or use a thermometer. You can either put some liquid soap into the bath water or soap your baby while bathing him. However, avoid using soap everyday, as the baby’s skin tends to dry very fast.

Steps to bathe the baby:

• Fill up 2 to 3 inches of warm water in the tub, bring your baby to the bath area and undress him.
• Lower your baby gradually in to the tub, bottom first, using one hand supporting his neck and head.
• Keep the baby in an upright position and pour small quantities of bath water over his chest and stomach. Smile and talk to him continuously to keep him amused.
• Next, hold the baby under his armpit and while supporting his chest, rinse the upper back and neck.
• While supporting the baby across his chest, turn the baby around so that his face stays clear of water and rinse the lower back.
• Keep one hand firmly on his shoulder and slide the other under his buttocks. Turn him gently towards you so that he faces upwards as you lift him out of the tub.
  

Safety tips while bathing your baby:

• Never ever leave your baby alone or unsupervised in the tub. If you do need to attend the door bell or the phone, wrap the baby in the towel and carry him along.
• Always ensure the temperature of water is right before using it on your baby’s skin.
• Don’t put your baby in the tub while the water is still running, as this could alter the temperature or the depth of water.
• Cut out the bathing time of the baby to not more than 10 minutes, as he could catch a chill. Also, prolonged baths can lead to excessive dryness of the skin.
  

Baby’s hair care

In the first couple of weeks, just washing your baby’s hair and scalp with warm water every few days to clean the built-up dirt will do. Once your baby has enough hair, you can use a natural and mild shampoo. If your baby doesn’t like it and resists too much, do not force him. Wipe his head clean for some more days with a sponge and try again.

*Cradle cap: This is a common condition of the scalp in babies in which the scalp becomes dry and flaky, and appears like dandruff. This is actually harmless and disappears on its own within a couple of months. A simple remedy is to rub a little vegetable or olive oil on the scalp a couple of times in a week, leave it on for about fifteen minutes or so, and then gently comb out the flakes. You can then use a safe, gentle and mild shampoo to wash the hair. A severe case of cradle cap marked by thick, oily, yellowish or scaling crusting patches may require medical attention.

Washing your baby’s hair:

• Undress the baby and wrap him in a towel, put his legs between your arm’s side to grip them under your armpit. Support his back with the length of your arm and cradle his head in your hand. Bring him over to the tub or the basin.
• Check the temperature of the water. Take some water over his head on to his hair. Gently apply the mild shampoo on to the scalp, then rinse it off.
• Be careful of the shampoo getting into his eyes. To prevent this, you can use a hair shield which fits around the hairline and blocks any drips. You can also add the shampoo in the water. Gently pat the hair dry using a corner of another towel, so that his face doesn’t get covered. Do not rub the hair. Gently brush his hair using a soft- bristled baby brush.
  

Drying your baby:

• Wrap up your baby in a relatively warm (not hot) and soft towel kept ready, as soon as you take him out of the bath.
• Fold both sides over to completely cover the body and pat him dry. Remember to dry the skin creases around his legs, diaper area, under arms and the neck, for if left moist, it may lead to irritation and skin rashes.
• Even when dressing up the baby, keep the towel wrapped around him.