How to bathe a newborn baby for the first time

The appearance in the family of a new member is a huge event, very joyful and meaningful. But with tenderness, love and happiness, many new concerns and responsibilities come to the house. And young parents have to re-learn, especially if the baby is the first. How to feed the baby, how to establish breastfeeding, how to cope with diaper rash and choose the right diapers. Among all these gaps, the issue of bathing remains particularly acute. After all, a child in the first days of life seems so fragile and defenseless that many moms are literally afraid to take the crumbs in their arms, let alone talk about such complex manipulations as water procedures. Here come to the aid of grandmothers - more experienced "mothers". In this article you will learn about the benefits of water procedures, be able to prepare all the necessary accessories for bathing, and also get acquainted with the technique of safe bathing of a newborn baby.

The benefits of water treatments

Our grandmothers also believed that with frequent bathing the child grows better. There is some truth in this, because the enveloping property of water provides a gentle massage and effects on all skin integument, thereby increasing blood circulation. Everyone knows that bathing is very important for the child, it is not only a necessary part of hygienic procedures, but also an invaluable contribution to the health of the baby.

Bathing is the protection of a child’s skin from various microorganisms, bacteria, dirt, sweat, urine, cosmetic powders and creams. We may not notice this, but many foreign substances accumulate on the baby’s skin, the child’s delicate epidermis is sensitive to any pathogens. This leads to diaper rash and anxiety.

Water treatments incredibly soothe baby. The water gently massages the joints and muscles, it is easier for the baby to move in the water, to control the arms and legs. You probably know how children sleep after a massage - deep and long. The same effect can be achieved with the help of baths.

In the future, water treatments will help you cope with the hyperactivity of the child. The kid moves in the water especially intensively, spends energy, sleeps better.If you add a couple of drops of coniferous oil to the water, the child will fall asleep quickly and sleep for at least three to four hours until it is completely hungry.

From the first days of their life, some mothers put an inflatable circle around the child’s neck, which allows them to keep their crumbs on the surface. Firstly, it is convenient for the mother - she will not have to hold the child during the whole bathing, bending over her back. Secondly, it gives an incredible freedom of action - the kid will be able to actively move himself, this trains his muscles and joints. Thirdly, the child is in a familiar aquatic environment, this pacifies him.

If you add decoctions of herbs to the water, for example, a string, you can cope with a rash of any nature - diaper rash, diathesis, prickly heat, urticaria, etc. Broth series perfectly heals, relieves inflammation and itching, dries.

In Russia, they believed that the first bathing must necessarily be carried out by the mother or father, not allowing anyone to touch the water in which they bathed the child. It was believed that so the parents protected the baby from the evil eye and damage. For the same reason, the water after the first bathing was poured under a large tree in the garden.

What to prepare for bathing a newborn

In order not to run around the necessary items during the water procedures, you need to prepare in advance everything that may be needed during and after bathing.

1. Bath. Today, there are many different trays for sale with a variety of built-in functions. Trays with a slide, which allow you to hold the child with one hand, are very popular, it is very convenient if the mother does not have assistants, and she has to bathe the child alone. Choose a bath with a grooved bottom, so that the baby does not slide off. Carefully feel the inner surface of the product so that there are no chips, cracks, or sharp areas. Before first use, be sure to clean the bath with detergent, disinfect the surface with boiling water or antiseptic.
2. Soap. For bathing suitable ordinary baby soap, but remember that they should not be abused. The fact is that even the most gentle soap dries the skin of the child, washes away the natural protective layer from the skin. Use soap no more than twice a week, the rest of the time, it is enough to bathe in clean water. Remember that you can not wash the genitals of girls with soap - it violates the natural environmentmucous membrane, can cause the appearance of synechiae. If you are bathing a baby for the very first time, do it without soap.
3. Towel. Usually, many new towels, diapers and other textile accessories are bought for the birth of a baby. But all new things are quite tough and rough, until several washings are completed. Therefore, often for wiping the delicate skin of the baby suitable old sheets or wiped diaper. But remember that the thing must be carefully ironed out (the high temperature of the steam kills the germs). For the skin of the child, we choose only natural fabrics - flax, cotton, etc.
4. Bucket. A small dipper may be necessary to rinse with clean water after bathing.
5. Thermometer. At first, you should not rely on your own feelings. It is very important to make the child a comfortable temperature, otherwise the baby may develop a persistent unpleasant association with water. It depends on you whether the child will love bathing or will be afraid of water all his life.

No scourers and sponges for bathing a newborn! Best of all, the baby is now fit mother's touch. And toys are not needed for the first bathing either - the baby still does not understand anything, only smells and tactile sensations are important to him.

In addition, it is necessary to prepare in advance everything that you may need after bathing - clean clothes, a diaper, powder or a cream under the diaper, cotton swabs and discs, antiseptics for wound treatment, etc.

How to bathe a newborn baby for the first time

Doctors recommend carrying out water procedures just before bedtime, namely, before the last feeding. Indeed, this mode is suitable for many children - the baby is bathing, eating enough and going to sleep for a long time. But sometimes mothers have to vary this moment - some newborn babies “stain the diaper” just during or after the meal, the baby has to be washed again. In this case, you need to bathe the child after a meal, preferably in an hour. Try not to bathe your baby on a full stomach - it will bring him discomfort, and also increases the risk of regurgitation. If the bathing time is already selected, it is worth going directly to the procedure.

1. The question remains - whether to boil the water for swimming. On the one hand, the baby is still too small, but on the other - we cannot raise a child in a sterile environment.So, the answer is simple - we boil water until the baby has a navel. When this vital artery closes and the risk of infection drops dramatically, water may not be boiled.
2. You should not warm the air in the room too much, especially you should not make a sharp temperature difference between the room of the bathroom and the nursery. The usual room temperature will come down at 24-26 degrees. Do not rush to immediately carry the child into the water. Strip the baby, give him the opportunity to take air baths for 3-5 minutes, it is very useful for the skin and for the body. At this time, you can make a crumbs of light massage - circular strokes and friction of the arms and legs, the abdomen in a clockwise direction. Put the child on the belly - it is also very useful.
3. In the first days of bathing, until the umbilical wound heals, potassium permanganate - potassium permanganate can be dissolved in water. However, be careful, dissolve the powder in a small amount of water, then strain the solution and only then pour it into the common bath. The fact is that the liquid may contain undissolved particles of potassium permanganate, which can cause a microscopic burn if it comes into contact with the skin.The water in the bath should get a little pink.
4. In the first bathing it is better not to add any decoctions, salts, nothing except potassium permanganate in the bath. If your baby gets irritated or allergic, you will not know the reason. Over time, when bathing becomes habitual, you can add to the water decoctions of the train, chamomile. It is very useful to add sea salt to water. But all this later, not in the first swim!
5. So that parents do not have to bend over the bath, for convenience, they put it on chairs or even transfer it to the room. This greatly facilitates the process.
6. So, everything is ready for the procedure. Older generations bathed the children, dropping them into the water right in the diaper. Modern pediatricians do not see this as necessary. However, for more confidence, you can do just that - put the baby in the water wrapped in a diaper. This will protect the baby from fear, from a sudden change of environment. Dip your baby into the water gradually, starting at the feet. You can slowly water the child with water from your hands, while stroking and soothing him. Most babies enjoy swimming for the first time, but there are babies who are scared.That is why the mother should constantly touch the child, show her presence, calm her voice.
7. After you completely lower the baby into the water, holding your head on the surface, give the baby some time to get used to the aquatic environment. Then you can slowly open the diaper. It is immediately removed or left at the bottom of the bath so that the body does not slip. It is necessary to keep the baby so - mother holds the child perpendicular to the body, one hand holds a distant shoulder, the child's head lies on the mother's wrist. Thus, mom is left with one free hand for all manipulations. However, it is better to spend the first bathing with assistants, especially if the mother is inexperienced.
8. Washing the baby is a responsible event, but the first swim is just an introduction to the procedure. If the baby is crying - interrupt bathing, it may be worth repeating the “swim” the next day. In the subsequent washing of the child will consist of several stages. When the baby gets used to the water, you need to moisten a wadded disk in water, wipe the eyes of the child with it. Then the ears are wiped with a new blank disc - only shells.Next, wash the baby’s head with baby soap or a special shampoo for newborns. Carefully wash with soap or water all the folds of the crumbs - inguinal, axillary, buttock, neck area. Remember the most important rule for bathing babies - NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ONE! Even if he is on a hill, you can not leave even for a minute - it is deadly.
9. In conclusion, be sure to rinse the baby with clean, previously prepared water. If you want to introduce hardening elements into hygiene from early childhood, the water prepared for rinsing should be a couple degrees lower.
10. At the end of the child is wrapped in a prepared diaper or towel, carried into the nursery for further activities.

After you bathe the baby, you need to wipe it thoroughly. Do not rub the skin too hard, it is still very tender, just blot it with a towel. After that, put on a diaper and clean clothes. Cream, powder or oil under a diaper is applied only when necessary, if there is diaper rash, for prevention this should not be done. In no case do not use cotton swabs for cleaning the ears - this way you just tamper up the sulfur in the ear canal and push it back. Simply wipe the ear shells with a corner of a towel.Then the baby needs to be fed and fed to the bed. After such procedures, the child will sleep soundly and long.

Features bathing girls and boys

Girls are a bit harder to bathe, because there is a high risk of microbes and fecal particles entering the vagina. To avoid this, the girl must be flushed strictly in one direction - from the vagina to the anus. This will protect against many urinary infections. When bathing a girl after a bowel movement, you must first rinse your ass under a stream of clean water and only then lower it into a common bath. Some mothers with anxiety find a whitish plaque on the mucous membrane of the labia.No need to worry, this is the original lubricant that protects the child in utero, it covers all accessible parts of the body. It can be removed gradually, with each swim a little. Grease does not do any harm and is gradually washed off.

The first bathing is a very important and unforgettable moment that will certainly leave you a lot of memories. Do not forget to provide a free family member with a camera - these moments must be captured!

Video: how to bathe a newborn