Baby bathing usually causes a lot of anxiety in young parents. However, there is no need to panic. Ideally, two people should bathe the baby, but this is not always possible. You can do it yourself, but you need to be well organized.
Don't look so suspiciously atbathtub . Relax, it's just a bath. Yes, you have to be careful, butbabyis not made of sugar or porcelain, and if you follow our advice, he will not be hurt. It's good to know that splashing in water tends to calm children down. Therefore, it is best to bathe your toddler in the evening - then there is a chance that he will fall asleep quickly.
You should also remember not to feed your babybefore bathing , as the food may regress, which can cause ear infections. What else should you know? The water does not need to be boiled, unless the toddler suffers from skin diseases and the doctor tells you to boil the water. You can pour a dozen or so drops of a special emollient oil into the bathtub.
It softens the water and gently nourishes the baby's skin, protecting it from excessive drying. Doctors do not recommend chamomile, which was recommended a few years ago. Reason? Studies show that chamomile tea can cause allergies when used too often.
Preparations for baby bath
Prepare some care accessories, because you won't be able to let your baby out of your sight during the bath. You will need:
- non-slip mat for the bathtub (you can use a towel)
- cotton pads
- bowl with warm, boiled water
- baby soap
- olive, powder, cream for chafing
- large, soft towel
- clean clothes and diaper
- a blanket or a second towel.
The room where you will bathe your baby should be warm (23-24˚C). Place the bathtub on the table so that you do not have to bend down. Close the door, you will avoid drafts. The recommended water temperature is 36-38˚C. Measure it with a special thermometer or use the traditional elbow method.
You must do it- Before the proper bath, wash your baby's face, eyes and ears, using cotton pads soaked in warm, boiled water (no soap). Use a fresh cotton ball for each eyelet and lug. Rinse your eyes from the outer corners to the inner ones.
- When putting your baby in the bathtub, grab it with both hands. With one hand, firmly wrap his shoulder, supporting the head and back with the forearm. The other hand should be under the toddler's bottom. Be careful not to let the child slip out of your hands.
- Start washing with the head: gently soap it, taking care of your eyes, then rinse carefully with water. Note: some people recommend washing your head before bathing properly. You need to soap it, then rinse it over the bathtub and wipe it with a towel. Thanks to this, the baby will not get cold. While bathing, support the baby's head and back with one hand, and wash his body with the other hand. Soap them from the neck down - never the other way around, so you don't spread the bacteria on your bottom to the more delicate parts of your body. Be careful not to let the water get into the baby's eyes.
Baby bath introductory part
Put the baby on a towel, undress it. Wipe the baby's face, eyes and ears with a cotton ball moistened in a bowl with boiled water. Don't use soap. Rinse your eyes from the outer corners to the inner ones, thanks to which you will not spread any infection. Do not put cotton balls or a washcloth in the ears and nose, as you can push the mucus even deeper. Wipe only the nose area and the auricles. Genital organs also do not wash with soap. Little daughter, gently clean the labia with a cotton swab moistened with water. Do not pull the foreskin off my son, just tilt it slightly.
Baby bath
Pour 10-15 cm of water into the tub and place the mat on the bottom. Grasp the baby with both hands and transfer it to the bathtub. Lay the baby down and take your hand out from under the bottom. You can wash your baby with a washcloth or with your own hand by gently soaping the skin (with soap or a washing-up liquid with a dispenser). Don't be upset if your little one starts crying. Talk to him affectionately while washing his hands and feet. If the baby is calm, you can hold it in the water for a while.
Be careful when taking your baby out of the bathtub, because it is slippery and may slip out of your hands. Place one hand under the baby's back, grasping his shoulder, and place the other hand under the buttocks. Transfer them to a towel and gently pat your body dry (by touching, not rubbing!). Coat the pupa with a special cream. You can lubricate the skin with baby oil. Put the baby in a diaper, put it on and wrap it in a blanket.
How often do you bathe your baby?
You can bathe your baby every day, but it's not necessary. Every day, however, you have to wash your face, hands and bottom. Important: The cosmetics you use should be intended for babies. It's good when they have a positive opinion of the Institute of Mother and Child.
"M jak mama" monthly