Bathing is a basic, yet essential, activity when it comes to body hygiene. This holds good for both adults as well as babies. In fact, great care has to be taken while bathing a baby.
It is a task no doubt, but following a proper bathing routine will keep babies happy and their skin clean. Using the right skincare products ensures that the baby gets adequate moisture and is kept free from external pollutants.
One important tip is to always check on the temperature of the water before you start bathing your child. The ideal temperature is 37-38°C. If you do not have a thermometer, check with your elbow or wrist to test the temperature.
Why bathing? Bathing is important to protect the baby from bacteria and germs, and helps their bodies to remain at a normal temperature. It also helps keep the baby's skin smooth, soft and healthy.
Read along to know a few tips for a bathing baby.
CONTENT INDEX
- What is bathing for babies?
- Bathing tips for your babies
- Dos of bathing your baby
- Don’ts of bathing your baby
First let us look at why it is necessary to bathe your babies.
Importance of Bathing Your Baby
It is not easy being a new parent. With sleep and food schedules all over the place, play time, bath time and a ton of things to take care of, it can be pretty stressful.
However as you understand your baby’s needs and requirements, the process gets easier. Trust me on this. Also, this is the one of the most memorable time with the baby for any parent, so cherish it to the fullest, by knowing the right routines to keep your baby happy!
Every baby needs body cleansing at least two or three times a week. Taking a bath everyday is necessary for babies even if they do not go out as much as adults do. Regular baby baths keep a control on the oil levels, moisturizes the baby’s skin and keeps skin rashes and dryness at bay. It is always better than just wiping them with a wet cloth.
Bath time is a time to bond with your babies. You can form an emotional connection with your babies and keep them engaged in fun activities while bathing them. Splashing and playing with water helps your baby understand the consistency of water.
Bath time for babies also keeps their overall health in check. It keeps them cool and clean, especially during summers. Remember to use a gentle, cleansing soap made for babies which does not dry their skin.
Now, let us move on to the bathing tips you can follow for your baby.
Safety Bathing Tips to Make Bath Time for Babies a Fun One!
The Dos of bathing a baby
Before starting the actual bathing process, we should be ready with the following things beforehand Bathing supplies before bathing
- Soft and clean washcloth
- Mild and unscented baby soap and shampoo
- a soft brush to stimulate the baby’s scalp
- towels or blankets
- a clean diaper
- clean clothes
Some safety measures have to be taken before we start bathing our baby. It is an essential element that cannot be overlooked.
Safety measures
Always keep the room warm for the babies so that they do not catch a cold. Also, keep your bath time short and sweet to avoid chilling. Ensure that the temperature of water is neither too hot nor too cold, and always test the water with either your elbow or wrist. Most importantly, never leave your child alone in any amount of water.
Pro tip: before placing your baby in the water, be sure to swirl the water around to disperse any possible hot spots.
Sponge bath
When your baby is just a week old or two, it is best to give a sponge bath. All you need is a warm towel to gently wipe the baby’s body. Start from the face and slowly move down to the feet. This will also be a good massage for babies, who are extremely tender. Before giving the sponge bath, make sure you are clean. Wash your hands with soap and water to avoid transmitting any infection.
For sponge baths, choose a flat surface/floor in a warm room. Wrap your baby in a towel after undressing her. Then, take a bowl of warm water and place it next to you. Slowly dip your wash cloth, squeeze it, and start wiping your infant’s eyes. Don’t forget to clean your baby’s ears and nose too.
Next wet the cloth again and wipe her face and the rest of the body. While using a shampoo, ensure that the baby’s hair is made a little wet. While applying the shampoo, create a lather around baby’s head and gently massage it. Rinse and dry its hair with a dry towel.
Tub bath
After the umbilical cord stump dries up and falls off, and the area heals, you can start bathing your baby in a tub or sink. Start with a gentle and brief bath. If your child is not yet ready, go back to the sponge bath routine, and then try this one a little later. First, fill a tub or sink with warm water. Then, test the temperature with your elbow. If it's correct, proceed to place the baby in the tub immediately. Make sure the water is no longer running from the tap.
Use one hand to hold the baby throughout and the other to guide the baby into the water — feet first. Slowly, apply water on the chest and clean the body with a gentle soap. To make it more fun, you can even sing lullabies to your baby and make it feel happy. After the bath, wrap the baby in a towel to keep it warm and dry.
Next, let us move on to the don’ts of bathing babies.
Don’ts of Bathing Your Baby
Next time you bathe your baby, avoid these ingredients in your baby care products.
Paraben
Parabens are preservatives added to skincare products to increase their shelf life. This is done to prevent any fungal growth. For babies, paraben can be extremely bad as they can cause breakouts and inflammation to their skin. Parabens should be avoided.
Artificial fragrance
They are usually added to products to make them smell good. Artificial fragrances are stronger than the natural ones, and can irritate the baby’s skin to cause allergies and skin rashes. To avoid this, choose mild products that are non-fragrant.
Formaldehyde & formaldehyde releasers
Even though they are common allergens, they continue to be used as ingredients in many skincare products around the world. Formaldehyde is a classic carcinogen, which releases certain chemicals that can prove to be dangerous to a baby's skin, and can pose the risk of causing various skin conditions.
Always choose products that are skin-friendly for children, and free from harsh chemicals and artificial flavors. Using good organic products is the first step towards a good bath routine. That is what we practice at UnbottleCo, which has a MadeForKids® range that is proven to keep the baby’s skin moisturized and healthy.
TuCo MadeForKids® Shampoo Proven Safe with Hibiscus Oil, Henna Oil, Soap Nut and Almond Oil
Hi! I’m Tuco MadeForKids®'s Proven Safe Kids Shampoo. Here are the botanical super-actives I have inside me.
- Hibiscus Oil removes excess secretions and maintains scalp PH
- Almond Oil cleanses, strengthens and promotes hair growth
- Henna Oil makes hair soft and shiny
- Soap Nut strengthens hair roots
I gently cleanse tiny baby hair without stripping it off its essential oils like regular shampoos.
Tuco MadeForKids® Soap Proven Safe with Almond, Protein Milk and Virgin Coconut Oil for Kids Skin
Hi! I’m Tuco Made For Kids Proven Safe Kids Soap. Here are the botanical super-actives I have inside of me.
- Almond deeply hydrates the little skin
- Milk protein relaxes the nervous system and muscles
- Coconut oil gives deep nourishment, antibacterial protection from rashes
While I cleanse those little bodies thoroughly, I don’t make your kids’ skin dry! Actually I can’t, because I have no chemicals in me! Did I mention that I’m sulfate-, paraben- and phthalate-free?