How to bathe a newborn baby

Newborn parents who are just waiting for the baby, childcare seems to be a simple and easy task. They are happy to buy a stroller and bath, bottles and cute little things. And now comes the moment when the newborn is discharged home, and then mom and dad realize that it is terrible to take this tiny creature in your arms, and there can be no talk about bathing. Do not panic! All parents take the course of a young fighter, so you need to listen not only to the advice, but also to your own intuition.

We buy a bath for swimming

The immunity of newborn babies is weak and vulnerable, so they should not be bathed in a normal adult bath. Even if a caring dad cleaned it several times and disinfected it, dangerous infections and germs could remain inside.

In the children's store they sell special plastic trays designed for babies. They are classic and anatomical. The first type is a reduced copy of an adult bath that will suit both an infant and a one year old child. Classic options have different sizes and shapes, but the mother will have to constantly maintain the head of the newborn while swimming.

In anatomical trays there is a special slide with a rubber coating, thanks to which small children do not slip into the water. The head remains on the surface, so parents can not worry that the baby drinks a soapy liquid or chokes.

There are also baths, resembling a wash with high sides. Manufacturers claim that in such models it is easier for newborns to get used to water procedures, because they imitate the form of my mother's abdomen. Finding such varieties is difficult, and after a few months you will have to buy a larger bath.

About the material
Accessories for bathing can be made of ordinary plastic or antibacterial. The last variety is covered with a layer of special substancewhich kills germs and bacteria. Parents do not have to wash the walls and bottom with cleaning agents after each swim. Antibacterial baths are recommended to buy for newborns who have dermatological diseases from the first days, like allergies or rashes.

When to acquaint the baby with water

In the first days after discharge, parents are advised to wipe the baby with wet rags or soft sponges. Until the child is at least 2 weeks old, it should not be put into water, because the umbilical wound may not be sufficiently delayed and soften during bathing. At 14–15 days, if the new family member feels good, they are allowed to show the newborn some water and dip it for 5–7 minutes.

Babies, born in the warm season, are recommended to bathe daily. In late spring and summer, babies sweat a lot, so their pores become clogged and they have acne on the skin. In winter, 2–4 water procedures are sufficient per week, and the rest of the time babies are wiped with wet rags and washed away if necessary.

It is important that the first bathing does not become stress for the newborn.A child should not be drastically lowered into the water so that he is not frightened. How well the hygienic procedure will go will also depend on the mood of the mother, therefore it is recommended to prepare towels, dipper, children's clothes and other accessories in advance so as not to fuss and just enjoy socializing with the child.

Tip: Pediatricians recommend bathing a child in the evening. Warm water is relaxing and soothing, so the baby will sleep at night longer and better. To carry out hygiene procedures on an empty stomach, and after wiping and drying the newborn should be fed with a mixture or breast.

Typing a bath

Water must be boiled to make it as sterile as possible. It is advisable to allocate a separate large pot for the needs of the child, which is thoroughly washed. New bath to clean the soda, because it is not known how many hands she had to go before getting to the store shelf.

Pour the water into a plastic container and try. If it is too hot, wait until it cools to the desired temperature. It is impossible to add cold "wet" liquid in which bacteria live. The only exception is the cooled herbal decoction, but before using any plant, you should consult with the pediatrician who is watching the newborn.The optimal bathing water temperature is 37–38 degrees, not more.

If a:

1. The baby's skin turns red, and the baby begins to cry, it is hot and it is necessary to wait until the bath has cooled.
2. The body of the newborn was covered with pimples, and the baby is naughty, he is cold and the degree should be increased.

Tip: Water thermometer seemed like a waste of money? It does not matter, our grandmothers did without this device. In the bath should be immersed bare elbow. Didn't feel anything? Great, it's time to bathe the baby. If it is hot, then wait, and it's cold - pour boiling water.

For the first time do not need to add potassium permanganate or herbal decoctions. The baby gets used to the new situation, why scare him with strange smells? In addition, the disinfectant solution may be too aggressive for the delicate skin of the baby. Instead of potassium permanganate used to use pure silver coins or spoons. Immerse the precious metal item in the bath and leave it for 10–15 minutes, then remove and bathe the baby. Silver destroys bacteria not worse than manganese, but it is much safer for a newborn.

Broths: cook or not cook
When the first baptism takes place and the child gets used to the bath, herbal teas can be added to the bathing water. Use plants preferably 2-3 times a week, not daily. First, carry out a small test and lubricate the skin on the handle or leg with a small amount of decoction. Rash or redness is not? Children's body normally responds to a new supplement.

What herbs to use? Depends on the nature of the baby and his state of health:

• restless and capricious babies recommended valerian root or lavender;
• babies with seborrhea, crusts and rashes will be suitable as a train, but the baby should be bathed in it no more than once a week, otherwise the skin will become dry and begin to peel off;
• newborn girls are advised to add chamomile decoction to the bath, which soothes and protects against gynecological diseases;
• diaper rash and prickly heat cures oak bark;
• peppermint is indicated for scrofula and irritations;
• nettle will help strengthen the immune system and improve the condition of the scalp;
• bath with St. John's wort prescribed for staphylococcal infections and diathesis rash.
• You can not bathe a child in broth from:
• tansy and celandine;
• wormwood and broom;
• citrus fruit

Buy herbs for decoctions better in pharmacies. You can not combine more than 4 components, and in the first times to use one plant. Broths are not combined with shampoo or gel, and after bathing the baby is thoroughly rinsed with clean water from a pan or other container.

Preparing for hygiene

A plastic bath can be put on a table or several stable chairs to make it easier for parents to wash the baby. Near put a loofah or a piece of soft cloth, diapers and a terry towel. For babies, special hooded models are sewn to protect the head of the newborn from cold and drafts.

A plastic scoop makes it easier to draw water and rinse the foam off the baby. It is advised to choose light and bright models that attract the attention of the infant and amuse him. After water procedures, it is easier to clean the dirt from the nose and ears of the baby, to remove the crusts from its head, so the mother should have cotton pads or flagella, a comb with fine teeth on hand.

We buy the right makeup
Adult gels or antibacterial soap should not be used for bathing a child.Children's cosmetics softer and safer, with a minimum amount of chemical additives. What should be in the arsenal of young parents?

• gel or liquid soap, you can replace the foam;
• shampoo marked "no tears";
• fat cream or oil to moisturize the skin of the newborn after hygiene procedures.

Proper children's cosmetics has a mild aroma or does not smell at all, and its composition includes herbs that soothe and prevent allergies and irritation.

It is advised to add a little gel or soap into the water, whisk until the formation of foam, and then immerse the baby there. No need to apply detergent to the skin of the baby, it is too gentle for direct contact with such compositions.

We are bathing a child for the first time: how it happens

A newborn may be frightened or start to act up, therefore all movements of the parents should be slow and confident. At first they undress him and press him to him for a minute in order to calm and relax. Then they are wrapped in a thin diaper, in which the baby is dipped into the bath. So it will be warmer and more comfortable.

When the baby gets used to the water, the diaper is unfolded, releasing the arms and legs of the baby. Let him touch the skin, a little splashed in the bath. The next stage is bathing itself.

1. While the water is clean, the baby gently wash. Eyes, ears and nose remain dry.
2. Use a wet washcloth to wipe the neck and hands, thoroughly clean the armpits from the sweat and dirt and chest with the tummy. Go down to the legs and groin area.
3. Girls' genitals are gently wiped with a cotton swab moistened with soapy water. Move from the navel to the anus. If on the contrary, an infection can enter the urinary canal and genitals. Boys wipe the fold under the foreskin, but the skin itself is not strongly delayed, so as not to injure it.
4. It remains to turn the baby and wash the back and ass, rinse the feet and heels.

The head of the newborn is washed with hands, and the foam is washed off with a thin stream of water from the ladle, which moves from the forehead to the back of the head so that the shampoo does not get into the eyes. Clean the baby wrapped in a large terry towel. Wipe the baby dry, not forgetting the folds, genitals and armpits. To treat the inguinal zone and the priest with powder, put on a pampers and spread cream or butter on children's skin.

Tip: If the baby starts to whimper while wiping, he can be given a breast.When the newborn calms down, continue hygiene.

Get out of the bath: what's next

A baby is dressed in warm pajamas, hair is carefully combed and a cap is pulled from above to prevent the baby from blowing. Wipe the eyes with a cotton swab dipped in boiled water. Clean the ears and nose with flagella.

Crust the crust on the head with a greasy cream and gently comb. If its pieces are separated without problems, it means that it is “ripe” and soaked well. After the procedure, the skin should be treated with peroxide. Is the crust badly combed out, does redness or small wounds appear? We must stop and wait a few more days.

We should not forget about the umbilical wound, which is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each swim. How to handle this part of the body correctly, moms should be told and shown by a pediatrician.

Tips for parents

1. When a child is lying on his back while bathing, his head should be supported with an elbow or a special stand should be placed under it. The nape of the newborn and chin may be in the water, as long as the liquid does not get into the mouth and ears.The baby, turned upside down, is placed on the belly with his stomach, and the head is held with the palm of his hand.
2. To make the baby have fun and calm, parents constantly talk to him, tell poems or sing songs.
3. The foam should be washed off very carefully so that it does not remain on the skin and does not clog pores.
4. When the umbilical wound is tightened and the baby gets stronger, the mother can bathe with him in a large bath. The woman undresses, leaving only underwear, falls into the water, and on top of her stomach puts a naked child.

Bathing a newborn will be a pleasant and fun activity if parents accustom the baby to water and a sponge. And in order to like the hygienic procedures, he did not cry and was not capricious in the bath, adults should do everything smoothly and confidently, not doubting and trusting themselves and the child.

Video: first bathing newborn