Bathing
Baby
Bath time is a special time of bonding with a baby and her
parents. It’s a time to play gently, talk and sing. Get everything you will
need ready before you start! The list includes water (of course), washcloth,
alcohol pads, bath towel (with hood if you have one), clean diaper, any items
you routinely use during a diaper change (for little circumcised boys this would
include Vaseline and gauze squares), and fresh clothes. Use a special baby wash
and baby shampoo, preferably natural ones with calendula oils; regular soaps and
shampoos can be too harsh or drying. Babies lose body heat very quickly, so
make sure the room is warm -- 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
Gently cradle your baby's head in one hand and use the
other hand to remove her clothing. Gently wash her with a soft, warm washcloth,
and dry her off with a towel. If you like, you can wash one area at a time and
put a fresh item of clothing on as soon as an area is washed and dried. This is
not necessary unless you are in a chilly room.
It’s a good idea to start with the "less dirty" areas
first, i.e. leave the diaper area until last, so you’re not washing the baby in
dirty water. As you go, be sure to gently wash behind her ears; the crevices in
her neck, elbows, and knees; and in between her fingers and toes. It's a good
idea to wash a newborn's hair near the end of bath time. This will help prevent
him or her from losing too much body heat. Most newborns don't have much hair,
so it is easy to sponge it with water much the same way you do the rest of the
body. Almost all babies dislike getting their eyes wet. If you tip the head back
just a bit and work your way from the front to the back, you can avoid getting
water in your baby's eyes.
