With the arrival of the little one, the new parents will be busy learning the art of caring the newborn, learn all about feeding methods, sleeping routines, diaper changes etc. Giving the baby a bath is one of the important responsibilities of new parents to ensure her health and cleanliness is intact. Dr Avneet Kaur, Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician, Apollo Cradle shares baby care tip on how and why giving your baby a soothing bath is important. Here are 10 tips to bathe your baby the right way.
Baby’s skin has to be clean and healthy. The skin can be fragile, hence be specific in choosing mild baby soaps instead of opting for products designed for adults. Mild soaps help in preserving the softness of the skin. Bathing time is best to check the baby’s body for rashes or areas of dry skin. Massaging baby’s legs and arms while cleaning will enhance the blood circulation. Baths control excess oil in the body and hair; it will dry the areas between baby’s skin folds and reduce excess moisture in the whole body. Here are some of the basics to keep in mind while giving your baby a soothing bath. Before that, read about how often should you give a bath to your newborn baby?
- Bathing water should be comfortably warm, but not hot. Ensure this before putting the baby in the tub. Mix the water well to make sure there are no hot spots.
- Even though her bath may be warm, baby can feel cold when she is taken out of the water. So, wrap her in a hooded towel to keep her warm and pat her dry before putting her nappy on.
- Make sure that you hold the baby firm at her bottom before you take her down into water. Place your other arm under the back of her neck and her shoulders.
- Once the baby is in the bath and settled, you can use the hand that was supporting her bottom to wash her around. Keep a stiff hold on your baby with the second hand and support her head on top of the water.
- A bath cradle will support her in the water if your baby can’t sit up yet. A bath seat could be used if she can sit.
- Lastly, never leave your baby unattended in the bath. Read to know why you should never leave your baby alone in the bathtub.
Source: The Health Site
