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All You Need to Know about Baby Bathtime
Your baby is now at home and it's time for her first bath. You suddenly have many questions. Is it OK to wash my baby with his umbilical chord? What temperature should the water be? Is it possible to get water into his eyes? What soap should I use for him? All of these questions are answered and more. This is all you need to know about baby bathtub time.
What are the most important safety tips for bath time?
- For baby bath time, the number one rule is to NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY ALONE IN THE BASSIN. Children can drown in as little water as 2 inches. If you turn your back, it can lead to death. Eliminate all distractions from bathtime and give your baby your complete attention.
- Next, make sure the tub is sturdy and safe. Below are our top picks for baby bathtubs.
- Baby bathtime can be a slippery business. Make sure your baby is well-handled before you try to get him/her out.
- Safety precautions for baby bath gear should be carefully read. Different products have different warnings.
What temperature should my baby's bath water be?
To prevent accidents, you will need to adjust the temperature of your water heater before the baby arrives. To avoid burning, reduce the temperature of your heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You should keep your baby's bath water at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. How can you determine the water temperature? Get one of these bath thermometers and add it to your registry. This eliminates the guesswork and ensures that your baby is safe.
How Often Do I Need to Bathe My Baby?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns should be bathed at least three times per week. It is possible to dry and irritate their skin if they are bathed more frequently. You can start to bathe your baby more often after he is about a week old. Keep an eye on your baby's skin. You can find more information on skin care here.
How do I give my baby his first sponge bath?
Now you're ready to give your baby his first ever bath. First, you need to prepare. First, make sure the umbilical cord remains attached. Then, use a sponge bath. This will allow your baby to relax. These are the steps to give your baby a sponge bathtub:
- Use a towel to clean a hard surface such as the floor or changing table.
- Make two shallow dishes using warm water. One with soap and one without. Make sure you have a washcloth for each dish.
- Make sure the temperature is comfortable. Baby's can get cold quickly so make sure that there's no fan or cool breeze coming through the window.
- Wrap your baby in a towel and take him out of his clothes. Take your baby to the bathroom.
- Start by "washing" one section at a time. First, use the soapy washcloth. Next, use the clean washcloth. Wrap the towel around the body of your baby.
- It doesn't matter how much soap you use on her skin. You can use a small amount of soap and water to gently wash her hair. To rinse the washcloth, soak it in water and then ring it over her head.
- After you have washed your baby, dry him and then head to a dry area to begin your "after bath".
Do I need a special tub or seat to bathe my baby?
- Let's begin with bathtubs. It is crucial to choose a bathtub that will suit your baby's needs. This Fisher Price bathtub is a favorite of ours, because it can grow with your baby as he grows from infanthood to toddlerhood. It begins as a newborn sling and then becomes an infant seat. Finally, it transforms into a large tub for your toddler.
- These Lotus Bath Blooms are the best option if you want to make your kitchen sink your tub. This keeps baby warm and comfortable and is loved by new mothers. It can be machine washed so that mold and mildew are not growing.
- When your baby can sit up on her own, you may want to get a toddler chair that you can put in your regular bathtub. Summer Infant offers this model. This seat is great for transitioning your baby to a larger tub while supporting her safety and support. Before you use a seat like this, make sure your baby is confident as a sitter-upper.
- You can choose to skip the bath seat by purchasing a non-slip rug instead. Be aware that slippery water can make you slip.
What is the difference between my baby's skin and mine?
Baby's skin is delicate and different from adult skin. Their skin is thinner than ours and does not reach its first stage of maturity until around age 2. The skin is the largest organ of the body and requires special care. It is important to be careful when choosing soap, towels, and washcloths. For our recommendations, please continue reading. It's not a sign to be concerned if you see bumps or dry flaky scalp skin (known as cradle caps). Your baby's skin will adjust to this new world. There are new elements constantly coming at it from all directions. It's a good idea to consult your pediatrician if you notice any changes on your baby's skin.
Which shampoo or soap should I use for my baby?
There are many soap brands available, so it can be difficult to choose the right soap for your baby. Baby soaps come in a variety of shampoo and soap combinations so there's no need to buy two products. Choose something hypoallergenic, paraben and phthalate-free, sulfate free, tear-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. We hope you are still overwhelmed by our selection of favorite soaps. To help you make a decision, we have included the descriptions from each manufacturer. A great resource is your pediatrician for selecting soaps for your baby.
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Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo - Avenno Baby Wash & Shampoo combines natural oat extract to create a rich lathering cleansing soap that cleans without drying. It is also free of soap and has been allergy tested. The gentle cleanser is gentle enough to be applied to hair and skin. It rinses easily, leaving behind a fresh, soft fragrance. Aveeno Baby Wash & shampoo is gentle enough to use on infants and sensitive skin. It is paraben and tear-free, soap-free, and tear-free.
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CeraVe Baby Wash - CeraVe Baby Wash & shampoo is a gentle cleanser that leaves baby's skin softened.
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Aquaphor Baby Wash & shampoo - This gentle 2 in 1 wash is specially formulated for baby's sensitive skin. Baby's skin will be soothed and cleaned without drying with the help of chamomile extract and Provitamin B5-enriched formula. It is gentle on the scalp and does not cause irritation. The mild, non-irritating formula cleans hair with a gentle lather. It rinses quickly and is equipped with a pump dispenser that allows for easy one-handed application. Aquaphor Baby's Shampoo and Wash are dermatologically proven to be gentle for baby's delicate skin and scalp.
- Doctors created Puracy Baby Shampoo and Natural Body wash - This 99.5% natural formula is hypoallergenic, toxin-free and hypoallergenic. This non-toxic, tear-free formula can be used daily for bath time. It is naturally derived, hypoallergenic and vegan.
What washcloths and towels are best for my baby?
We like to adhere to the rule that "if it feels good for you, it will feel good to your baby's skin". A towel or washcloth that feels rough will likely cause irritation to your baby's skin. Because our skin is the largest organ of our body, organic cotton is preferred. Anything that comes in contact with organic cotton is being absorbed at some point. The towels and washcloths we like from keababies.com are GOTS certified (Global Organic Textile Standard). This means that they are the highest quality fabric and are sourced sustainably.
Do I need to put lotion or powder on my baby after a bath?
To lotion or not lotion? The AAP recommends that you apply a non-fragrance, hypoallergenic moisturizing cream immediately after a bath to prevent your skin from drying out. However, powder is not recommended. Research has shown that powder can cause breathing problems by allowing fine powder particles to enter the lungs.
A massage can also be done after applying a bath lotion. According to the International Association of Infant Massage, baby massage can stimulate the digestive and circulatory systems. Massage is great for babies who are colicky, gassy, or have difficulty swallowing. Massage can also be used to help your baby relax and allow for skin-to-skin contact. This is especially important during the infant stage. Watch out for your baby's cues. If your baby seems to be bothered by the massages, you can skip them and go back to it later.
What else do I need to do after I give my baby a bath?
After you have dried your baby, moisturized and moisturized it. Then, put on a new diaper and wear soft clothes. The perfect onesie is waiting for you! If you need to sleep (which is likely, as a bath requires a lot of energy), we have the perfect onesie for you! You might want to wrap your baby in a blanket and sing a soothing lullaby. No matter what you do, enjoy the sweet, baby-scented scent!
Do I need bath toys for my baby?
Bath time is a popular activity that children love to do, and they will often spend lots of time in the tub. Babies don't need bath toys. In fact, bath toys can over-stimulate newborns. You can skip the toys until your baby is able to grasp them.
Older infants will enjoy grasping the washcloth or chewing on a rubber-duck. Foam pieces that stick to the tub or toys that can be squeezed will delight toddlers. You don't need toys, but a plastic measuring cup with your voice and a cup of water will entertain your baby as much as any other toy.
What are some fun songs or games for bath time?
Bathtime can be an opportunity to have fun with your baby as they get older. These are some easy and fun activities you can do with your baby when he is older.
Glow sticks. Grab some glow sticks and activate them before putting them in the tub. You can have a glow in the dark party by turning off all lights
Shaving cream. The tub makes shaving cream so much more fun. The soft, foamy foam can be enjoyed by your child. This one is messy so make sure to rinse it off well.
You can cut up pool noodles. Cut a pool noodle from the dollar store into rings that look like donuts. Add them to the bath. Your baby will love to stack them and sink them.
Watercolor painting. Use these WASHABLE watercolor paints to help your child paint the tub.
What are the benefits of bathtime (beyond the cleanliness)?
It's time to bond. It can be a great time to bond with your baby while bathing him/her. You can spend time with your baby without distractions and in physical proximity. This is a time for connection.
Calming/soothing/relaxing. A parent's baby can benefit from the soothing effects of water, especially if they are cranky. According to science, the brain releases chemicals that help calm the body when it sees and feels water. The bath can be used to soothe your baby during times of extra stress.
You can use bath time to signal your baby that it is time for bedtime or a routine. When you have established a routine for your baby, around 6-8 weeks old, bath time can be used to signal that it is time for bed or for a nap. Is there a time when it is best to bathe your baby? Not necessarily. You might want to schedule your baths around sleep.
Developmental Benefits. Bath time has multiple benefits for cognitive development. Babies are learning science, absorption and buoyancy. Their fine motor skills are being used by them when they squeeze and grab. After they learn how to sit up in the tub, their cores are being strengthened.
Sensual experience. Babies love baths. What is a sensory experience? A sensory experience is any experience that your baby has where he learns about the world using his senses. He can feel the warmth, smell the soap, see and hear the water, and many other sensations in the bath. These stimuli are vital for brain development.
Additional Baby Bath FAQs
How do I wash towels and washcloths?
Before you wash your baby's towels or washcloths, make sure it is not dyed or perfumed. Dreft is a favorite among moms, but any detergent that meets these criteria is a good option.
What if I don't have a proper bathtub?
What if you don't have a tub? No worries! After your baby outgrows his baby tub, you can shower with him. Remember that humans can be slippery when wet so make sure you have your baby with you at all times. You can also consider an inflatable tub depending on how big your shower is.
How do I clean my baby's bath toys?
It is crucial to keep your bath toys clean. If they are not properly cleaned and dried, all kinds of fun bacteria, mold, and mildew could grow. Martha Stewart says that
A monthly wash will keep mildew and bacteria at bay. Half a cup of white vinegar to a gallon of warm water. Pour the mixture into a large bowl. Allow the toys to soak in the solution for approximately 10 minutes. Then, use a sponge to gently rub the toys with the solution. Suck up the solution and shake it to clean the toys. Let air-dry.
How do I bathe my baby when traveling?
Your Lotus Bath or toddler chair is a great option if you are planning on taking your baby to a place where they will need to be bathed. It will keep your baby safe while bathing, and it will also be familiar in unfamiliar surroundings. Sorry to say that traveling has become a lot more difficult and heavy.
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