Baby in the bath
for the very first time
Step 1: Gather Supplies for Your Baby in the Bath Tub
- 1 or 2 wash cloths
- mild soap such as Dove Sensitive or an all over
baby wash such as Johnson's Head-to-Toe
- Hooded baby towel
Step 2: Prepare Your Space
I used the island in my kitchen and folded a large
adult bath towel in half to pad the surface.
Step 3: Getting the tub water ready
Place the infant tub securly into your kitchen sink or a
full size bath tub. Before filling the infant tub, run the water
to test and make sure it is not too hot or cold for your little one.
A popular way to test is letting the water run on the inside of
your wrist. You can quickly feel the temperature this way. When it is ready,
fill the tub to the desired amount.
Step 4: Undress the Baby
Remove all clothing and diaper. Place them in the infant tub. While bathing your baby in the bath tub for the first time, they may
scream. Like I mentioned before, they may not want to be wet and naked.
I like to take and extra washcloth, wet it place it on the baby's chest
belly to keep them as warm and comfortable as possible.
Step 5: Washing the Face
Dip the washcloth in the plain warm water and wring out. Then
gently wipe the baby's eyelids, face and sides of nose. Next wipe
the outer part and behind the baby's ears. (Make sure to get those
potatoes)
Step 6: Washing the Body
Next, wet the washcloth in warm water. Then either rub the bar of soap
with the washcloth or place a small amount of the Head-to-Toe soap on
the washcloth and rub to lather.
Wash under the chin and neck area. then do shoulders, arms and armpits.
Next, move on to the legs and toes. Wet the washcloth and add more soap
as needed.
Step 7: Washing the Genitals
If you have a baby girl, you will need to gently to spread the labia
(the lips) apart and wash between with a warm soapy washcloth. Remember to
wash from front to back, NOT back to front, to prevent infection. Then,
wipe clean with a plain water washcloth.
If you have a baby boy, gently wash his penis and scrotum making sure
that you gently pull back the skin on the penis and clean around the head
where gunk and diaper fuzzies can collect. Wipe clean with a plain
water washcloth.
Step 8: Washing the Head
You can wash your baby's hair one of two ways. You can either wash their hair
last by pouring warm water on their head and gently lather with bar or liquid
soap. The other way is to wash their hair as I described in the "Sponge Bath".
You would finish up with their body, then take out of tub and wrap in towel.
Then securely hold them in the football position over the sink. Using a cup of
warm water, wet the baby's hair. Next, place a small amount of soap on the
baby's head and rub gently to lather while being aware of his/her soft spot.
Then take the cup and rinse with warm water.
Step 9: Dressing the Baby
Towel dry the baby. Then put a clean diaper on and dress accordingly.
Congratulations! You did it! You made it through the first time with your baby in the bath tub. Wasn't that easy? Now don't you feel confident and capable again?
Return from "Baby in the Bath" to "NewbornHelpline.com" Home Page
Return to "Newborn Bath" Page
|
