Bath time can be one of the most enjoyable moments of the day for you and your baby. Your new baby may initially resist the unfamiliar routine, but as she grows, splashing around with colorful bath toys will become good “clean” fun.
A newborn’s skin is soft and delicate. Proper skin care and bathing can help maintain the health and texture of your baby’s skin. With all the diaper changes and wiping of baby’s mouth and nose after feedings, your baby only needs to be bathed two or three times a week. Bathing more often may cause your baby’s skin to become dry and cracked.
Baths can be given any time of the day but it is best to bathe your baby before a feeding. Bathing a baby after feeding can cause spitting up as the baby is moved around during the bath and laid down flat when being dressed.
When you’re getting ready to bathe your baby, make sure the room is warm and free of drafts. Fill the tub or sink, and test the water for the proper temperature. Babies have very sensitive skin. What may feel cool to us may be too warm for baby. Make sure the water is deep enough to cover your baby’s lower body and tummy. Remember, babies like to be warm when they’re taking a bath. Feeling warm will prevent a lot of crying while in the bath. Have all your supplies ready and nearby so you can dress your baby as soon as she is dry.
Things you’ll want to have handy at baby bath time are:
• Baby soap and shampoo or All-In-One Body Wash and Shampoo
• Towel and Washcloth
• Creams or lotions
• Diaper
• Onesies and outfit
• Receiving Blanket or Swaddle Me
• Hair Brush
Some parents find a baby bathtub a waste of money, especially if they have a large kitchen sink. If you decide to use a baby bathtub, choose a sturdy tub with a smooth rounded edge that will retain its shape when you carry it full of water. Select a tub without a ramp. In a bathtub with a ramp, the water pools at the end of the tub, and your baby sits in the open air, wet and cold. Remember, babies like to be warm while being bathed. Some baby bathtubs have a heat sensor pad that lets you know if the water is too hot. But never rely on the pad alone. Always test the water with your wrist or elbow before you place your baby in the tub. The baby bath tub should have a drain plug and can be used in either a double or single kitchen sink, or in an adult bathtub.
If you decide to use the kitchen sink, which means no filling and emptying of a baby bathtub, be sure to clean the sink with Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Sink Cleaner or other antibacterial soap, and rinse well before you bathe your baby. Lay a receiving blanket or towel in the sink to cushion the bottom of the sink. To cushion the counter, place a changing table pad or large bath towel on the counter next to the kitchen sink. Lay the baby’s bath towel on top of the changing table pad or bath towel. When finished bathing place baby right on baby bath towel. You can either bring baby’s clothing to the kitchen or wrap baby in bath towel and take back to the nursery to get baby dressed.
Here’s a handy tip for bathing newborns. Wrap the baby in a receiving blanket before you put her in the bath. Doing this keeps her arms and legs from flailing about, and she feels safe and secure. Slowly lower her into the bath, and gently unwrap the blanket in the water. If you place the baby in the sink wrapped in a blanket you don’t have to cushion the bottom of the sink with a separate blanket. Bath time should be a warm, happy, and fun experience.
About the Author: Elaine Farber is a Newborn Specialist/Consultant and author of Baby Lists: What to Do and What to Get to Prepare for Baby. Elaine has over thirty five years experience caring for single and multiple birth babies. Visit Elaine’s website at www.babylistsbook.com where you will find many helpful articles and lists of products for babies and toddlers.
Baby Bathtubs
If you use a baby bathtub, choose a sturdy tub with a smooth rounded edge that will retain its shape when you carry it full of water. Select a tub without a ramp. In a bathtub with a ramp, the water pools at the end of the tub, and your baby sits in the open air; wet and cold. Your baby’s lower body and tummy should be covered with warm water when she is in the tub. Some baby bathtubs have a heat sensor pad that lets you know if the water is too hot. But never rely on the pad alone; always test the water with your wrist or elbow before you place your baby in the tub. The baby bathtub should have a drain plug and can be used in either a double or single kitchen sink, or in an adult bathtub.
Primo EuroBath
The EuroBath is the first “smart” bath because its unique anatomical shape keeps baby in the ideal bathing position and prevents him from slipping under the water. The extra-large 38-quart capacity and ability to place baby in two different positions make Primo’s EuroBath perfect for children from birth to 24 months.
You’ll get a lot of use out of this baby bathtub because of its size. When your baby gets big enough to sit up on his own it’s a great tub to put into your adult size bath tub.
Fisher Price Bath Center (Ocean Wonders or Rain Forest Design)
From earliest infancy to toddler-hood, the Fisher-Price Bath Center provides three stages that grow with your baby.
For newborns, the sling is attached to both ends of the tub like a hammock. This creates a platform that gently cradles baby while in the bath.
For infants, the sling attaches to only the narrow end of the tub, providing trunk and neck support for those that can’t sit up by themselves yet.
For the toddler position, the sling can be removed altogether giving baby more room in the tub. Included with tub is a rinsing cup, water sprinkling toy, and a fish shaped toy that doubles as a water temperature gauge.
The First Years Infant to Toddler Tub with Sling
All the security, comfort and convenience parents and growing babies need in a tub. Its deep ergonomic design holds baby better for bathing.
This tub fits both double and single sinks. Mesh sling with padded headrest provides extra comfort and support to cradle even the smallest baby. I prefer to remove the sling so baby can be directly in the water where he will stay nice and warm. A special drain plug alerts parents if the water is too hot.
Baby Bath Slings & Cushions
If you don’t want to spend money on a baby bathtub and are not particularly happy about putting your baby directly in the kitchen sink, then these baby bath slings are the perfect solution. A bath sling or cradle can be used inside a sink, inside an infant bathtub or inside the adult bathtub giving parents multiple ways to easily wash their baby. I find using any one of the bath slings or cushions listed below a very convenient and easy way to bathe your baby.
Summer Infant Mother’s Touch Comfort Bath Support
The Mother’s Touch Comfort Bath Support is like putting baby on a cloud. The soft cushioned pillow makes it easier to bathe a wiggly newborn. Convenient kickstand also elevates baby’s head for better bath time interaction and comfort. Folds easily for storage and travel.
Leachco Safer Bather – Infant Bath Pad
Safer Bather bath pad has all the features to assure baby’s bath is as safe as it can be. The head is elevated to keep water out of baby’s ears, and it won’t break or pull apart like some sponge pads. Soft polyester filling dries quickly and is mold and mildew resistant.
Summer Infant Mother’s Touch Baby Bather
The Mothers’ Touch Baby Bather grows with your baby from newborn to infant. The bather’s large frame, cushioned edges, and soft mesh sling seat help ensure your baby’s comfort and safety at bath time. A deluxe head support adds extra stability for your infant and can be removed as your baby grows.
Baby Bath Sponges
Before your newborn can be submerged in a real bath, a bath sponge provides a soft, comfortable place to give your baby a sponge bath. Place the bath sponge on a bathroom counter or kitchen counter and use water from the tap to bathe baby.
You can also place the bath sponge on a changing table, bring a container of water to the changing table and sponge bathe baby there. As your baby grows you can use the bath sponge in your infant bathtub or kitchen sink. After using the bath sponge, hang it in the open air so it can dry thoroughly before its next use.
Summer Infant Comfy Bath Sponge
The Comfy Bath Sponge is the perfect economical choice for bathing your newborn. Contoured non-slip sponge cradles baby alone or can act as an insert for the kitchen sink or baby bath tub. The Comfy Bath Sponge gives baby additional head, neck and back support while being bathed
Safety 1st Comfy Bath Cushion
This uniquely contoured shaped, hypo-allergenic foam bath cushion comes in a fun frog design. Perfect for newborn sponge bathing and provides for infant bathtub cushioning.
Baby Bath Seats
The most important thing when you are bathing your child is keeping her safe in the tub. Babies who can sit up on their own are ready for a bath seat, but do not rely on a bath seat for safety. Using a bath seat prevents your child from crawling around or standing up in the tub. All bath seats should have suctions cups securely fastened to the seat. All suction cups should securely adhere to the smooth surface of the bathtub. A straddle bar and safety belt on the bath seat keep your child from slipping into the water. Bath safety tip: Never leave your child alone or with a sibling in a tub of water.
Primo Infant Bath Seat
Bathing a newborn is easier and safer now with Primo’s Infant Bath Seat. Now you don’t have to be afraid of dropping a wet, slippery, wiggly baby.
This plastic seat fits in large sinks or in your tub. The foam lining and design provide maximum support and comfort for baby. Designed for a baby from birth to six months old, the seat cradles the infant by supporting the legs and arms while bathing, helping to prevent the baby from slipping under the water. Suctions cups hold the seat securely in place. Holds infants up to 18 pounds and 28 inches long.
Juvenile Solutions Aquababy Bath Ring
The high contoured back and ring combined with an anti-slip seat makes this bath ring an extremely safe way to bathe a baby when he or she is beginning to sit up.
The six legs screw-fit into the bath ring and four large suction cups on the underside of the seat adjust to fit the shape of your bath providing enhanced safety and stability. Not suitable for non slip surfaces. Suitable for babies 1-16 months, maximum weight 28 pounds.
Dream Baby Fold-Away Bathtub Safety Seat
The Fold-Away Dream Baby bath seat makes it easy to position your baby in and out of the seat with a front bar that opens for easy access. I find the front bar that opens to be a very useful feature.
Available at Amazon.com