The first bathing of a newborn raises a lot of questions in newly made parents. How to bath, which bath to prefer, what should be the temperature of the water, and is it worth using a diaper in the old way?
So, first things first.
When to bathe a newborn
If the baby was born without any complications, then already on the third day he and his mother are discharged from the hospital. And upon arrival home, one of the main questions of parents becomes the question of bathing. Almost all pediatricians agree that the first bathing of a newborn should be postponed until the umbilical cord falls off. This event occurs approximately 7-10 days after the birth of the baby. Prior to this period, all hygiene procedures for body care can be carried out using wet sanitary napkins. Napkins should be selected specifically designed for young children and pay special attention to the lack of alcohol and antibacterial agents in their composition.
Why the first bathing of a newborn can be carried out only after the umbilical cord has dried?
The thing is that microbes can enter the unhealed umbilical wound, which can not only delay the healing process, but also lead to inflammation of the navel. In addition, drying crusts, quickly soak in water and inaccurate movement when wiping a child can damage the wound that has not yet healed.
Bath time
Bathing babies are recommended before the last feeding. A refreshing bath, followed by dense feeding, all this guarantees a strong and calm sleep of the baby at night. But it is the first bathing of the newborn that is best transferred to an earlier period. Choose a time when your baby is calm, when neither you nor him are bothered by anything, you have a good mood and your hands do not shake from excitement or tiredness. And then you can proceed. Nothing terrible will happen if you, waiting for a convenient moment, wait a couple of days with swimming. Your calm and positive attitude plus the absence of problems for the baby is the key to the fact that the first bathing of the newborn will be successful and will bring joy not only to the child, but also to his parents.
Small or large bathtub?
Almost all parents who are preparing for the appearance of the baby buy small baby baths, thinking that bathing the baby in a large shared bathroom is not worth it. Does the child need his own bath? Small bathtubs appeared at a time when our great-grandmothers didn’t even dream about running water and having their own bathtub. The child was bathed in a tub or other suitable container.
Now such problems simply do not exist. Therefore, the acquisition of a baby bath is only a whim of the parents, and not a necessity at all. Bathing a child in a large bath is not only possible, but will also bring you and the baby a lot of pleasure. Moreover, now there are many devices for bathing babies. Special rubber rings worn around the neck will help the child stay on the water and move freely throughout the bathroom. In addition, you can teach your child to dive in a large bathtub. An amazing instinct is inherent in infants, allowing them to automatically hold their breath when immersed in water.
Of course, the first bathing should be done without "extreme", so that the child gets a little accustomed, and you got used to it. But in the following, it is quite possible to enjoy modern inventions and experiment.
Of course, with such bathing, no baby needs a diaper. This relic remained in the memory of grandmothers, who, trying to protect children, when bathing in wooden containers, from splinters, carefully swaddled them.
Water temperature
The optimal temperature for bathing newborns is considered to be - 37C. When your baby gets used to daily hygiene procedures, you can gradually lower the water temperature to 35 degrees. The child will not only temper, but also, losing a huge amount of energy, sleep better.
Bathing newborns is a process that gives joy to both babies and their parents. Indulge yourself in pleasure and enjoy these wonderful moments.