By jahanzaib 
When it’s time to care for your baby, it consists of countless responsibilities, such as feeding, dressing, and most importantly, bathing them! However, babies are so tiny and delicate that even the most basic task like bathing them can feel really scary. New parents especially find themselves asking questions like “how often should they be bathed?” or “what bathing items does my baby need?”. In this case, if you ever feel the same confusion, then this blog is the perfect guide for you.
Number of Times You Can Bathe Your Baby
In the first few days after your baby’s birth, their umbilical cord would still be attached to their body. This is known as the umbilical stump. This stump will normally fall off in a few weeks. Until it falls by itself, it is best to give your babies a gentle sponge bath instead of submerging them completely in water. Although it’s important to regularly clean the area around their diapers, it is completely sufficient to bathe them 3 times a week after the stump falls.
Guide to Bathe Your Baby Safely
Before you start giving your baby a traditional bath, you should first learn about all the important baby bath products, skin care items, and techniques. If you are familiar with these things, only then will your baby feel safe every time you bathe them. So, let’s dive into the details:
Important Baby Bath Products
- Baby bathtub: You can find many baby bath tubs online. These bathtubs are made specifically so that you can put your babies in them and bathe them safely. This is because the tubs have a special design in which your baby’s back will be supported properly and they will not slip either.
- Thermometer: You will not regret getting a bath thermometer either! These thermometers are created especially to check the water’s temperature in the bathtub. so , each time you bathe your baby, you can make sure that the temperature is around 32°C.
- Soft washcloths or bath sponges: Next, you will also need a clean washcloth or a bath sponge that you’ll be using to wipe your baby’s skin. These items should be made from materials that are soft and gentle for delicate skin types.
- Baby towels: You also need a baby towel that you will need to dry your baby after you bathe them. This is an essential item because you can’t leave your baby’s skin wet for long periods, so always keep a soft bath towel nearby.
Important Baby Skin Care Products
Once you get all the bath supplies for the baby, this is the next step. You will need the right baby skin care products for their bathing routing. This step is very important because it can keep their skin happy and healthy. Here’s what you should have:
- Tear-free baby shampoo: Firstly, a baby shampoo is an important bath product that you’ll be getting for your baby. But not all shampoos will do–you should always check if the shampoo’s formula is gentle and tear-free so that you can wash your baby’s hair without causing discomfort.
- Baby body wash: Secondly, an organic body wash is your go-to item. By organic, we mean that you’re supposed to select a body wash that’s infused with hydrating ingredients and gentle cleansing agent. Such ingredients can include aloe vera, Vitamin E, calendula extracts, etc.
- Mild baby lotion: Your baby’s after-bath care is also important for you to consider. Keeping this in mind, you should get a gentle lotion made of a hypoallergenic formula that will lock moisture into their skin after the bath. Similar to the body wash, these lotions should also have naturally hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.
Safety Tips to Bathe Your Baby Gently
Bathing a baby safely is all about preparation and paying close attention during the process. Here are some helpful tips:
- Prepare everything beforehand: As a first step, make sure that you have everything with you beforehand. This means to keep all items with you such as towels, washcloths, baby bath products, and shampoo. This is because the moment you put your baby inside the tub, then you cannot leave them unattended to fetch unavailable items.
- Choose the right water temperature: Secondly, doctors suggest that the water to bathe them should be lukewarm. For this, you can check the water’s temperature by a thermometer.
- Give them proper support: Another important tip is to always make sure to support their body with your hand despite the support of the bath-tub. Use one hand under their armpit and neck while the other supports their bottom when lowering them into the tub.
- Clean from top to bottom: It is ideal to start cleaning their face gently with a cloth and swiping behind their ears. After that, you can proceed to their lower body gradually, from their neck to their feet. Here’s another pro tip-make sure to get between the folds of their skin thoroughly.
- Rinse gently: Your baby’s skin is extremely delicate at this point and this is why you’re supposed to rinse their skin very gently. Do not rub their skin in a harsh way.
Conclusion
If you have been scared of bathing your baby all this time, we hope that it feels much easier for you now. It’s quite simple! Your baby’s bathing preparation starts with getting all the bath products. This includes baby bath products, skin care items, and then following all the safety tips to bathe them properly. Also, let’s not forget that the ideal frequency to give them a complete bath is around 3 times a week!