How to Bathe your Baby

It’s not required to bathe your baby every day. Bathing your baby for several times within a week can cause dry skin. The parts of your baby’s body that should be regularly cleaned are his genitals, his face and neck. Also, give a bath to your baby only when you have ample of time to for it. This way you can take care of your baby’s cleanliness along with spending some bonding time with him.

Taken into account that babies are sensitive and gentle, it is always recommended to give sponge bath to the newborns for at least first three weeks after birth. The gentle cloth used to give sponge bath to the baby ensure that no harm has been caused to the baby’s skin and also aids in the healing of the umbilical cord.

When to give the bath? — It’s completely your choice when to give bathe to your baby. Usually, parents opt for morning because during this time, babies are more alert and energetic. Some parents also give bedtime bath so as to calmly put the child to sleep.

Soap or Baby Shampoo— Paediatricians also advise to use a mild moisturised soap or shampoo for your baby, but it’s not necessary to persistently use them every time you bathe your baby. You can even give him a bath without soap or shampoo. Use soap or shampoo only if you baby is smelly or dirty.

Where to give the bath— The place where you’ have to bathe your baby does not have to be bathroom necessarily. The place should be warm and clean to guard your baby against viral and bacterial infections. To give sponge bath, lay the baby on its back on a cosy and dry surface. Also, ensure that his genitals, area behind the ears, neck, inside of the ears and face are completely and properly wiped.

baby tub— Bathing the baby in the bath tub ensures baby’s safety and protection against infections. Always use sterilised cloth to wipe the tub before you bathe your little one. You can choose your baby’s bath tub from free-standing plastic tubs, plastic basins or inflatable tubs that can fit inside the bathtub.

Five to eight centimetres of warm water is enough to bathe your baby. Fill the tub with the water, but hold your baby’s head with your hands while giving him bath. Keep pouring warm water on our baby’s body throughout the bath to keep him warm.